Mbah Signs N971bn 2025 Budget, Promises Diligent Implementation
The Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Tuesday, signed the N971bn 2025 Appropriation Bill into law, pledging its diligent implementation to achieve the state’s vision of exponential economic growth and inclusive prosperity.
Tagged the Budget of Exponential Growth and Inclusive Prosperity, the fiscal plan allocates N837.9bn to capital expenditure, representing 86 per cent, and N133.1bn to recurrent expenditure, accounting for 14 per cent. Notably, education retained the largest share with N320.6bn, over 33 per cent of the total budget, for the second consecutive year.
At the signing ceremony, which was attended by members of the Enugu State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ezenta Ezeani, Governor Mbah commended the lawmakers for the swift passage of the budget.
Describing the budget as a “massive Christmas gift” to the people of Enugu, Mbah reiterated his administration’s commitment to leaving no one behind in the state’s development journey.
“What we are witnessing here today is democracy in action. Our budget is christened Budget of Exponential Growth and Inclusive Prosperity because it encapsulates our commitment to addressing development challenges across all sections of the state.
“We recognized early that marginal or incremental growth will not suffice. Development requires intentionality. This budget represents our strategy for exponential growth and ensures no child or individual in Enugu goes to bed hungry,” he said.
Mbah assured residents that the budget, which comes into effect on January 1, 2025, would further propel the state toward its development goals.
Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, attributed the swift passage of the budget to the Assembly’s involvement in its preparation.
“We were part of the process that produced these figures. Having done the work behind closed doors, there was no need for alterations. Our assurance to Ndi Enugu is that this collaboration will continue to yield positive results,” Ugwu stated.
The Speaker praised Governor Mbah for his administration’s performance on the 2024 budget and promised robust legislative oversight to ensure the effective implementation of the 2025 fiscal plan.
“Under Governor Mbah’s leadership, development is visible across all sectors—education, health, tourism, road infrastructure, and beyond. The governor’s commitment to eradicating poverty in Enugu State is evident in the budget, with education receiving one-third of the allocation to empower minds and foster sustainable growth,” Ugwu added.
The Speaker further highlighted the administration’s prioritization of education, describing it as the backbone of the state’s strategy to eliminate poverty.
“Without education, progress is impossible. By dedicating the largest share of the budget to this sector, the governor has demonstrated his resolve to walk the talk and prepare Enugu for a prosperous future,” Ugwu concluded.
