Delta 2024 Budget: Additional N10.5 billion to Fund Critical Sectors says Okowa-Daramola

The Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriations, Hon (Mrs) Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, has explained that the slight increase of the 2024 budget from the amount proposed to the House by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was aimed at funding some critical sectors of the State.

Speaking to newsmen immediately after the third reading of the Appropriation Bill and subsequent passage, Hon Okowa-Daramola, said some sectors, including Works, Urban Renewal and Health required more attention, hence the 10.5 billion naira upward review in the budget size.

The youthful and vibrant Lawmaker representing Ika North East in the House said “the year 2024 budget belongs to the present time and it’s in line with His Excellency’s MORE agenda”.

According to Hon Okowa-Daramola, the Budget is indeed “Budget of Hope and Optimism” as envisioned by the Governor, stressing that being the first Appropriation Bill by the 8th Assembly, members were very excited seeing the budget to a successful conclusion.

“Members had a critical debate on the bill during its second reading. Various Standing Committees which were sub-committees to Finance and Appropriation met with various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, where the MDAs defended their proposed estimates.

“The sessions with the MDAs was a weeklong process, and then the Finance and Appropriation committee which worked tirelessly to present its report today. I am glad to be a key player of the process, the first in the 8th Assembly”, Okowa-Daramola stated.

Continuing, the Lawmaker said “having in-depth scrutiny of the proposed budget as presented by the Governor, we realized that some sectors required more attention. The increased figure is aimed at funding some of these critical sectors of the State, including the health sector, works, and urban renewal, among others.

“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is very much inclined to infrastructural development. We must support him to succeed. Some areas in the state require more infrastructure.

“Being the first appropriation bill, members were very excited to work on the bill. Deltans should expect MORE. Indeed, it is a budget of “Hope and Optimism”, she emphasized.

Okowa-Daramola thanked the Speaker, Emomotimi Guwor and colleagues for the opportunity to serve.

The Delta State House of Assembly had approved a budget size of N724.979 Billion for the 2024 fiscal year in the State.

The approved budget envelope was an excess over N10 Billion higher than the N714 Billion earlier presented to the House by the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.