The Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Tuesday revealed intentions to complete all ongoing projects in the state in year 2022 amongst other development strategies.

Ugwuanyi declared this at the Hallowed chambers of the Enugu State House of Assembly while presenting the state’s year 2022 Budget proposal.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State presented the 2022 Budget to the State Assembly for consideration on Wednesday, December 7th, 2021.

A budget estimate of One Hundred and Eighty-Six Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty-Five Million, One Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy Naira (N186,635,135,770.00) was presented for consideration and approval.

Presenting the budget proposal tagged: “Budget of Sustained Growth and Consolidation”, Ugwuanyi disclosed that it is 9.9% higher than 2021 budget; year 2021 budget is a sum of one hundred and sixty-nine billion, eight hundred and forty-five million, seven hundred and fifty-eight thousand, five hundred naira only (N169, 845, 758, 500).

Out of the total 2022 budget size of N186,635,135,770.00, the sum of N71,477,449,812.00 representing 38% of the total budget is for Recurrent Expenditure while the sum of N115,157,685,770.00 is for Capital Expenditure, representing 62% of the budget size.

Ugwuanyi further explained, “The projections for the 2022 Budget of the state were founded on the economic and fiscal updates of National Inflation Rate of 13%; National Real GDP Growth of 4.2%; Oil Production Benchmark of 1.88 million barrels per day; Oil Price Benchmark of $57 per barrel and Exchange Rate of N410.15 per US Dollar”.

In addition to completion of all ongoing projects in the state, other key deliverables of the 2022 capital budget presented include establishment of facility centers for industrial processing of value chain for palm oil, cassava and cashew nut in Enugu State; purchase of 10 tractors and other agricultural equipment to assist mechanized farming in the state; purchase of Waste Disposal Compactor Trucks and dumpsters to enhance urban cleanliness.

Others include construction of Bridges/River crossings over Ogurugu River, Adada River and River Obinna in Uzo-Uwani LGA, Ike River in Aninri LGA, Ogbafun River, Agu Idume in Nkanu East LGA amongst others.

Also, portable water provision which is a major problem in the state may be tackled as Ugwuanyi also mentioned intervention in this all-important area; drilling, rehabilitation and reticulation of Water Boreholes in Communities across the State and upgrading and improvement of Enugu Urban Water Supply and Distribution System through the AFD-funded 3rd National Urban Water Sector Reform Project (3rd NUWSRP).

On 2021 budget performance, the State Governor stated, “In spite of economic, security and public health challenges his administration maintained the payment of the N30,000.00 Minimum Wage, as at when due, since February 2020;

“Also, we have made a substantial progress in the construction of the first Enugu State Government’s Flyover which is progressively taking its pride of place at the T-Junction, Nike Lake Road – a 105 meters bridge section, with ramps measuring 590m in cumulative length and four (4) Service lanes which on completion will enhance traffic flow around Trans-Ekulu, Nike and Nike Lake Resort axis.”

On development in primary healthcare, Ugwuanyi revealed, “We have successfully installed One Hundred units of 200 litres Solar Refrigerators and Freezers at various Health Centres across the State”

“We are transposing our State Health Systems to provide primary healthcare through the Enugu State Agency for Universal Health Coverage. Under the Enugu State Universal Health Coverage Scheme, ESUHCS, we are targeting the enrolment of all Enugu State residents. This will also facilitate the provision of free healthcare to vulnerable persons in the State, among others”.

In response, the Speaker Enugu State House Assembly, Edward Ubosi expressed that the budget estimate is modest and realizable

Ubosi gave assurances that the legislators will give expeditious consideration and passage of the budget to enable the Governor keep up the good work.

Dignitaries present to witness the budget presentation are: Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo Enugu State Deputy Governor; Secretary to the State Governor Prof. Simon Ortuanya; Ofor Chukwuegbo member representing Enugu North/South Federal Constituency; Augustine Nnamani PDP State Chairman; members of the State Executive Council, Council Chairmen, the Royal Fathers led by the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Igwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu, former PDP State Chairmen Chief Engr. Vita Abba and Chief Ikeje Asogwa, amongst other top government officials.