Source: punchng.com
The Edo State Government has said that the 2026 Appropriation Bill presented to the State House of Assembly by Governor Monday Okpebholo is designed to accelerate infrastructure renewal, expand employment opportunities and strengthen social services across the state.
The Commissioner for Finance, Emmanuel Okoebor, disclosed this on Sunday while briefing journalists on the details of the bill, noting that the budget aligns with Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda, which prioritises Security, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Education.
He said, “The 2026 budget represents a strategic shift from routine fiscal planning to impact-driven public finance, positioning the budget as a tool for structural correction and inclusive growth.
“It is also designed to accelerate infrastructure renewal, expand employment opportunities, and strengthen social services across the state.”
Okoebor said the administration deliberately prioritised sectors capable of unlocking productivity, reducing inequality and integrating underserved communities into the state’s economic framework.
“Infrastructure dominates the budget, with ₦420.62 billion allocated to the sector. Of this amount, over ₦305 billion is earmarked for road construction and rehabilitation. Governor Okpebholo firmly believes that improved road networks will ease the movement of goods and people, reduce transaction costs, and improve access to healthcare, education, and markets, particularly in rural areas,” he said.
Speaking on agriculture, which received ₦68 billion in targeted funding, the commissioner said the allocation reflects the administration’s focus on food security, job creation and rural stability.
He added that the provision also supports livestock development through a dedicated ministry, offering a structured and preventive response to farmer–herder conflicts while strengthening agricultural value chains.
On the social sector, Okoebor said the budget makes provisions for education and healthcare through the recruitment of teachers and health workers, alongside continued investment in schools and healthcare facilities.
He noted that the measures are aimed at addressing manpower shortages and improving service delivery across both urban and rural communities.
He said job creation is another major feature of the 2026 budget, with ₦116.46 billion set aside for employment-related programmes.
According to him, the allocation is expected to generate jobs through infrastructure development, agriculture and expanded government activities.
The budget also provides ₦8.9 billion for social welfare programmes targeting women, youths, children and other vulnerable groups, as part of efforts to promote inclusive growth and shared prosperity.
On governance and accountability, Okoebor said the administration has strengthened oversight mechanisms through improved procurement processes, the adoption of e-procurement systems, regular publication of budget implementation reports and the activation of the Project Monitoring Unit
He said Okpebholo’s decision to christen the 2026 Appropriation Bill as a “Budget of Hope and Growth” is an assurance that the fiscal plan would deliver tangible outcomes, including completed roads, jobs created, improved schools and expanded healthcare services across the state.
PUNCH Online had reported that Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, presented a N939.85bn 2026 Appropriation Bill, tagged the Budget of Hope and Growth, to the state House of Assembly.
Presenting the Edo State budget proposal, Okpebholo said the 2026 fiscal plan was carefully designed to build on the foundation laid in 2025 while expanding the reach of government programmes to directly impact the lives of Edo residents across all sectors of the economy.
A breakdown of the proposal shows a total expenditure of N939.85bn, with capital expenditure of N637bn, representing 68 per cent of the budget, while recurrent expenditure stands at N302bn, accounting for 32 per cent.
Okpebholo explained that the strong emphasis on capital spending reflected his administration’s determination to fast-track development through strategic investments in roads, schools, hospitals, water supply, housing and other high-impact economic projects across the state.
He disclosed that the 2026 budget would be funded through Internally Generated Revenue estimated at N160bn, Federation Account Allocation Committee disbursements projected at N480bn, capital receipts and grants of N153bn, N146bn from Public-Private Partnerships, as well as other viable revenue sources available to the state.
