Executive Assistant on Orientation and Communication to Delta State Governor, Dr (Barr.) Wilfred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has said that the N714.4 Billion Budget proposal, christened Budget of Hope and Optimism presented to the State House of Assembly by governor Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori, captured in anticipation of salary increase by the federal government, due to oil subsidy removal and agitation for better working conditions by labour unions.
Oghenesivbe who was a guest on Morning Ride Show of the State Television on Monday, said the governor being a visionary leader deemed it necessary to look ahead and earmarked N150billion as personnel expenditure in anticipation of federal government increase in salary in 2024, so that Delta State can take the lead in making necessary salary adjustments.
He quoted the state governor as saying that the budget shall put the state economy on the path of sustainable growth, boost investments and productivity, enhance the ease of doing business in the state, provide apple opportunities for the average citizen to participate in the economy, and to embark on the construction of more critical road infrastructure to facilitate urban-rural integration, amongst others.
The governor’s EAOC gave the breakdown of the 2024 budget proposal as follows; N150billion for roads infrastructure, N46.55billion to Education, N18.65 allocated to Health, N7.5 for Urban Renewal, N7billion to Agriculture, N2.1billion allocated to Environment while Youth Development got N1.7billion, describing them as key sectors of the economy.
Oghenesivbe further asserted that during the budget presentation, governor Oborevwori made it abundantly clear that his administration is determined to see Deltans through hard times, and to work even harder to consistently assist the poor and vulnerable citizens in line with his MORE socioeconomic blueprint.
He said the recent flag-off of the N78billion roads infrastructure projects at DSC Roundabout, PTI junction, Effurun Roundabout and Enerhen/Marine roads axis, awarded to construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, is a pointer to the fact that governor Oborevwori is tenaciously focused, doing the needful to fulfil his electioneering campaigns promises to the people.
And on the issue of the audio which alleged $7million bribe money in respect of certain Court cases trending on social media, Oghenesivbe noted that neither the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, nor her candidates were mentioned in the conversation, saying that the audio was widely believed to have emanated from the major opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, calculated to misinform and mislead the general public.
“The 2024 Delta Budget of Hope and Optimism is loaded, very strategic and meant to advance the infrastructure development of the state, and to further enhance socioeconomic wellbeing of our people.
“The governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori focused on key sectors that would benefit the people and the state, especially in the area of road infrastructure, personnel, education, health, urban renewal, agriculture, environment and youth development.
“The above mentioned sectors received substantial budgetary allocations, and it is expected that the genuine intentions of the governor shall yield expected results for our people and the state.
“As for the trending audio conversation alleging $7million judgment bribe money concerning certain cases, our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and her candidates were not mentioned in the conversation. We are not concerned, and will never blink an eyelid over it.
“The trending audio was, and still a mere piece of propaganda widely believed to have been sponsored and projected to the public by the major opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“APC and her leaders in the state are already bleeding, panting for breath and feverish over the foreseeable victory for PDP and governor Oborevwori at the Supreme Court.
“The facts of the case have been laid bare at the Tribunal, PDP and governor Oborevwori won because APC petition is lacking in merit. The Court of Appeal affirmed PDP/Oborevwori’s victory at the Tribunal, and we shall win again, and deservingly at the highest Court in Nigeria, the Supreme Court, by the grace of God,” Oghenesivbe assured.