Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo,
struggled while reading figures from the 2025 budget proposal.
On Tuesday, Okpebholo appeared before the State House of Assembly in Benin City, to present the N605 billion appropriation bill.
The governor said the figures are a 25 percent increase from the 2024 budget.
“The Edo state Appropriation Bill of six billion… 605 billion… 76 million…” Okpebholo began, his hands unsteady and voice quivering in the rarefied assembly.
“Let me take it again. 506 billion… 605 billion… sorry… 776 billion… sorry, it’s confusing me,” the governor stuttered and chuckled.
Okpebholo’s admission elicited laughter and murmurs in equal doses from the lawmakers.
Blessing Agbebaku, speaker of the Edo house of assembly, called for order so the governor could proceed.
“605 billion and details of the budget proposed… proposal for your consideration and approval. Thank you for your kind consideration,” Okpebholo added.
The governor identified road infrastructure and education as priorities for his administration.
“We have appropriated N162 billion for road development across the state,” he said.
“We are aware of the importance of connecting communities with motorable roads for rapid economic growth. Driving from one senatorial district to another, and from one community to another has become very difficult in the recent past.”
The governor promised to improve the derelict condition of schools across all levels in the state.
“We are all living witnesses to the regrettable condition of our tertiary schools in the past eight years. My administration shall be providing N500 million monthly subvention to the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, to ensure its revival from the ashes over time,” he said.
“We shall ensure continuous improvement in the administration of other tertiary institutions. The sum of N48bn is provided in the 2025 budget to accomplish this promise.”
The governor also said security and community development would improve on his watch, adding that he is determined to bring peace and harmony to the state.
