Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Wednesday, presented a budget proposal of N1.664 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.
Giving the breakdown of the budget christened, ‘Budget of Accelerating the MORE Agenda,’ Oborevwori said N499 billion, representing 30 per cent of the total budget, was for recurrent expenditure, adding that N1.165 trillion, representing 70 per cent of the total budget, was for capital expenditure.
He disclosed that the 2026 budget size indicated an increase of N685bn or 70 per cent over the 2025 Appropriation.
He pointed out that the budget as proposed would be mainly funded from Statutory Allocation, Internally Generated Revenue, Mineral Derivation, Value Added Tax, Other Capital Receipts and Savings, and Oil Revenue Recoveries.
The Governor disclosed that N720 billion, or 43.28 per cent of total projected revenue, was expected from statutory allocation, which, he said, was boosted by post-subsidy FAAC inflows and improved oil production stability in the Niger Delta, adding that Internally Generated Revenue was projected at N250 billion, representing an 86.5 per cent increase over 2025.
While saying that the projected increase in the state’s IGR was driven by ongoing reforms to plug leakages and widen the tax net, he pointed out that VAT receipts were expected to rise sharply to N120 billion, buoyed by improved federal administration of the tax.
The Governor said: “Capital receipts, however, have been deliberately cut down to N25 billion, a 73 per cent reduction as the government pushes toward a zero-borrowing fiscal strategy.
“Savings and oil revenue recoveries are projected to contribute N489 billion. This is a testament to prudent and disciplined financial management.”
According to him, the proposed recurrent expenditure estimates for 2026 of N499 billion is made up of personnel costs of N185 billion, representing 37 per cent of the proposed recurrent budget, stressing that N204 billion, representing approximately 41 percent, was earmarked for overheads.
He pointed out that the balance 22 per cent or N110 billion was accounted for by social contributions, benefits, and grants, emphasising that the personnel cost of N185 billion anticipates the annual increments and allowances, while the overhead cost mirrors the inflationary trend in the country.
Giving insights into the proposed capital expenditure estimate of N1.165 trillion, Governor Oborevwori noted that the proposal was N535 billion, or 85 per cent higher than the 2025 capital budget of N630 billion.
“This is largely accounted for by the larger budget size of one trillion, six hundred and sixty-four billion naira (N1.664Trillion), as against the nine hundred and seventy-nine billion, two hundred million naira (979.2Billion) of 2025,” the Governor said.
Highlighting the priority sectors of the budget, the Governor said N450 billion was budgeted for road infrastructure, N105.086 billion for education, N50.067 billion for health, N20 billion for the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, and N20 billion for the Warri, Uvwie, and Environs Development Agency.
According to him, N16 billion was budgeted for Power and Energy, N10 billion for Agriculture, and N20 billion for Social Protection, adding that the sum of N100 billion was budgeted for local government intervention in the 25 local government areas in the state (N4 billion per local government).
Reviewing the performance of the 2025 Budget themed, “Budget of Fiscal Consolidation,” where ₦979,228,818,719 was approved for funding both capital and recurrent expenditures, the Governor said the performance of the budget was encouraging.
“From January to October 2025, the actual revenue receipts from the Federation Account Allocation Committee and Internally Generated Revenue stood at Seven Hundred and Thirty-Eight billion, Six Hundred and Forty million naira only (N738.640 billion), representing 90.5 per cent of the proportionate budget of eight hundred and sixteen billion, twenty-four million, fifteen thousand, five hundred and ninety-nine naira only (N816,024,015,599).
“The recurrent expenditure for the period under review was three hundred and forty billion, five hundred and fifty-four million, six thousand, four hundred and forty-eight naira only (N340,554,006,448), as against a proportionate amount of two hundred and ninety billion, six hundred and thirty-nine million, seven hundred and ninety-eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty-three-naira, fifty kobo only (N290,639,798,863.50), representing 117 per cent performance.
“The sum of five hundred and nine billion, seven hundred and eighty million, three hundred and thirty-six thousand, three hundred and seventy naira only (N509, 780, 336,370) was expended during the period under review, as against a proportionate amount of five hundred and twenty-five billion, three hundred and eighty-four million, two hundred and sixteen thousand, seven hundred and thirty-six naira only (N525, 384, 216, 736), representing 97 per cent performance.
“It is pertinent to appreciate this stellar performance. It is also gladdening to note that the bold and reformist policies of the Federal Government have started to yield the desired result and the country is beginning to turn the corner,” the Governor added.
While highlighting the importance of peace and security in promoting sustainable development, he said his administration had worked closely with security agencies to tackle crime, including kidnapping and cultism, with a view to ensuring sustainable peace and security in communities across the state.
“We will continue to strengthen the security architecture in the state to better protect our citizens from all threats. This administration has invested heavily in security infrastructure upgrades and will continue to do so for enhanced peace and security.
“We are looking at deploying cutting-edge technology, including drones and sophisticated intelligence gathering capabilities, and surveillance equipment. All these are in addition to the prompt payment of personnel emoluments and allowances, as well as the provision of covert logistics.
“Mr Speaker, as I conclude this Budget Address, let me say that we are proud of the progress that we have made so far. However, there is still a lot more to do, and the journey to a more prosperous, secure, and stronger Delta will take the concerted efforts of all arms of government.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, who lauded Oborevwori’s administration for the steady strides it had recorded under the Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda, said sustained investments in critical infrastructure, impactful social interventions, prudent fiscal management of resources, and strategic initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, and economic stability across the State have been witnessed over the past year.
“Your Excellency, it is indisputable that your leadership has ensured the continuation of key legacy projects, expansion of road networks, ongoing construction of five strategic flyovers, improvement of healthcare facilities, empowerment programmes for youth and women, and the strengthening of the educational system.
“These interventions have not only elevated the quality of life for our people but have also reaffirmed the State’s position as a sub-national model of development,” the Speaker said while thanking the Governor for the approval and payment of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) to staff of the House and Assembly Service Commission.
He noted that the projections in the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) for 2026, 2027, and 2028 approved by the House reflected national, regional, and global economic dynamics, even as he assured the Governor that the 2026 Appropriation Bill presented to the House would be considered with a view to passing the Bill.
