Hon Collins Present #4.5Billion 2024 Budget to Council Assembly


… As Assembly passes vote of confidence on Council Chairman


Executive Chairman of Ovia North East Local Government, Hon. Collins Osamede Ogbewe on Thurday presented a budget estimate of N4,534,805,822.29 Billion Naira, christened “Budget of Service Delivery” to the Local Government Legislative Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year.

The 2024 budget is a Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) is made up of N1,851,000,193.56 capital expenditure and N2,683,805,822.29 recurrent expenditure, representing ratio of 55:45 of recurrent to capital expenditure. The budget, according to the Council Chairman, is a product of wider consultation with Ovia North East people.

Hon. Collins explained that the overall focus of the budget is to sustain his administration’s quest for shared prosperity through the five pillar agenda of the government.

He highlighted the objectives of the 2024 budget to include creating enabling environment for micro, small and medium enterprises to thrive through friendly policies and provision of infrastructure; achieving shared prosperity through collaboration, compassion, fiscal prudence and quality service delivery; expand the revenue base in the area of internally generated revenue, and to also ensure timely completion of on-going developmental projects through equitable and effective distribution and allocation of available resources.

He also said the budget would provide a veritable platform for youths and women empowerment, skill acquisition and entrepreneur development; strengthen the security architecture within Ovia North East; cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal; guarantee food security and support agro allied industry as well as further promote good governance through budget discipline, probity and accountability in the allocation and utilization of government fund, among others.

On capital projects, Hon, Collins, who explained that his government is not unmindful of the importance of capital project on the socio economic development of the local government said his administration would embark on numbers of projects without compromising the well-being of the people of Ovia North East

He outlined the critical projects in the 2024 budget which is the outcome of citizens engagement and the work plans developed by MDAs to include, capital project and empowerment of artisans, youths and women, urban renewal/ development projects, agriculture and related value-chain development, road rehabilitation, among others.

Hon. Collins said a top priority is being accorded the health sector to provide quality and affordable healthcare services as well as urgent renovation of health facilities equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

While on Agriculture and food security, he said his government would improve agricultural productivity through provision of improved seed and seedlings, and enhance extension services, expand rural and feeder roads to boost the distribution of agricultural produce to both existing and new markets and also deepen the value-chain.

“In contrast to the conventional incremental budgeting system, Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) approach was adopted in the preparation of 2024 Budget.


“The Government continues to comply with the Open Government Policy and adopted the bottom-up approach to develop the draft fiscal document. To ensure inclusivity, I held citizen engagement/Town Hall meeting in the thirteen Wards. This was done to take inputs from the populace towards the proposed 2024 Budget and receive feedbacks on the programmes and activities of Government, and ensure sustainability of the projects/programme implemented in the communities. The overall focus of the Budget is to sustain our quest for Shared Prosperity through the Five-Pillar Agenda of Government.

“Mr Speaker, the Government is mindful of the catalytic impact of capital projects on the socio-economic development of the Local Government. This administration is therefore undeterred in its commitment to ensure speedy infrastructural development in Ovia North East. The Government, in 2024, will embark on a good number of capital projects without compromising the immediate well-being of the people. To this end, the sum of N1,851,000,193.56 has been proposed for capital expenditure in the 2024 fiscal year.

While expressing his profound gratitude to the Leader and members of Ovia North East Legislative Assembly for their cooperation and support to the Executive Arm of Government without any fear of contradiction, the Council Chairman called on investors, Development Partners and Ovia North East citizens, home and in the diaspora to make Ovia North East their destination of choice for business and pleasure.

He added that Ovia North East is very open to business, and has an enabling policy and institutional framework that would ensure prudency, transparency and accountability in all its obligations.

Earlier in his welcome speech, the Leader of the House, Hon. Omoruyi Igbenake commended Hon. Collins for his notable giant strides at developing the Local Government, through focus on the mantra of keeping Ovia North East working towards shared prosperity aimed to achieve an inclusive society where every citizen is presented with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed.

House Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Harryson commended Hon. Collins for his efforts at prioritizing investment in education to ensure that every child in Ovia North East has access to quality education and opportunity to demonstrate their potentials to the fullest.

Hon. Ogido, noted that, government has provided platforms for an egalitarian society that encourages entrepreneurships, attracts investments and creates sustainable jobs by investing in critical sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and digital innovation to drive economic growth and development.
The Legislator however reiterated the commitment of this assembly to fulfil its responsibilities to the people by ensuring diligent scrutiny of the budget proposal and align it with the vision of shared prosperity, social justice and sustainable development.

Also at the event were the Vice Chairman, Mrs Efosa Uyigue, Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Efe Idahor, Head of Local Government Administrative, Mr Richard Edenamiegho, Director of Finance, Mrs Abu, Special Adviser to the Council Chairman on Political Matters, Hon Ibizugbe Clement, supervising Councilors, members of the local government Executive Council.

Sounds to me like first in history, or has it happened since 99" ?