- 2026 Budget To Hit N1trn Mark, As IGR Skyrockets
BY AWELE OGBOGU
Delta State Government has revealed that an aggressive and sustainable debt servicing is ongoing in the state, which has seen a significant slump in its debt profile, from N465 billion to N200 billion as at December 31, 2024, a reduction by almost 60 per cent.
Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen gave the disclosure, today, while speaking at the 2026 Budget Citizens Engagement at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba. Ekedayen, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, also revealed that IGR grew by 90 per cent in the last 18 months, from N158 billion in 2024 to N200 billion, which by the end of 2025, will be a performance of 140 per cent, adding that this was a “function of the prudent and judicious use of funds by the Oborevwori administration.”
Saying that the Citizens Budget Engagement, which began in the state since 2009, was being sustained, due to Governor Oborevwori’s vision and passion to carry all along in the budget making process, he assured that he will do more for Deltans in 2026.
On projections for the 2006 Budget, he said that the state will likely come out with a budget envelope exceeding N1 trillion as against the 2025 Budget of N972.2 billion, adding that the surge in the budget size was due to increased FAAC allocation and spiraling IGR receipts, which he attributed to the greater willingness of residents to pay their taxes as Delta State has become a huge construction site, consisting roads, bridges and other massive infrastructural strides by the Governor, while giving kudos to the Delta State Internal Revenue Board.
As part of the half year budget performance, Ekadayen revealed that the state overshot its revenue receipts by 150 per cent by raking in N778 billion so far and an IGR receipt of N104 billion when N134 billion was projected for the whole year, making it 96 per cent of the projected figure already raked into the state government’s coffers.
While Ekedayen urged Deltans to continue supporting the MORE Agenda and to make use of the whistle blowing policy using 09169978305, he assured that their inputs and suggestions will be transmitted to the Executive Governor of the state. He further said that the 2026 Budget will get 67 per cent capital expenditure and that the state government will not be borrowing to fund the budget, but that this will be done organically, that is with resources available within the state.
