Governor Douye Diri of Delta, on Thursday laid before the State House of Assembly a proposed 2026 budget totalling N998.37 billion, christened the “Budget of Assured Prosperity II.”
Presenting the financial plan, Governor Diri outlined a funding framework drawn from key statutory sources: N42.2 billion in statutory allocation, N84 billion from Value Added Tax, N212.6 billion from the 13 per cent derivation fund, and N488 billion in other FAAC receipts.
The government also projects N85.9 billion in internally generated revenue, N24.9 billion in domestic and external grants, as well as N50 billion in domestic borrowing.
According to the proposal, capital expenditure will command the bulk of the spending at N645.2 billion, representing 64.6 per cent of the total budget, while recurrent expenditure is pegged at N353.1 billion, or 35.4 per cent.
As has been the trend in recent fiscal cycles, the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure received the largest sectoral allocation: N298.6 billion.
”The governor said this reflects his administration’s determination to sustain large-scale construction works, including expansion of the state’s road network and the completion of flagship projects such as the nine-storey secretariat complex for civil servants.
The Education Ministry is slated to receive N75.1 billion, while Sports and Health are allocated N46.5 billion and N39.7 billion respectively.
In a move Governor Diri described as “significant,” the budget earmarks N10.8 billion for the provision of pipe-borne water, fulfilling his earlier pledge to tackle the state’s perennial water supply challenges in 2026.
Other key allocations include N16.5 billion for power generation and distribution, N21.5 billion for security operations, and N15.6 billion for agricultural development.
The governor commended lawmakers for what he described as their sustained partnership with the executive arm, stressing that both branches share a responsibility to deliver tangible improvements to citizens’ wellbeing.
“Bayelsans elected us to take bold actions that enhance their quality of life. That is what we are doing and what we will continue to do.
“I am confident that history will judge the choices we make in this budget as the right ones.”
He assured that the administration will press ahead with ongoing major projects in 2026, including the three senatorial roads; Glory Drive Phase 3 linking Imgbi Road with a bridge across the Epie Creek; the Ogu–Akaba–Okodi Road; the Sabagreia–Polaku Road; the Toru-Orua–Bolu-Orua–Kabeama–Ebeni Road; various internal roads; and the ultra-modern state secretariat.
Governor Diri urged the assembly to subject the proposal to diligent scrutiny but also ensure timely passage.
Earlier, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, commended the governor’s consistent investment in critical sectors such as roads, education, sports, healthcare, and energy.
He noted that these interventions have brought visible improvements across the state.
He highlighted especially the government’s “comprehensive overhaul” of the education sector,including teacher recruitment, training, and the establishment of technical and vocational institutions across all local government areas which he said is yielding meaningful results and strengthening middle-level manpower development.
The Speaker pledged that the assembly would give the 2026 appropriation bill accelerated consideration.
