Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has assured that the 2012 budget would build on the absolute infrastructure programme of his government in the last four years.

Uduaghan, while presenting the 2012 budget proposal of N383.39bn, maintained that his administration will also strive with its diversification strategy it began since coming into office that will reduce overdependence on monthly allocation.

According to the governor, “The component of the budget proposal is made up of N169.82bn or 44.30% for recurrent expenditure and N213.57bn or 52.31% for capital expenditure. The budget proposal shows an aggregate increase of N21.08bn or 5.94% when compared to the 2011 approved budget of N361.90bn.”

He explained that the 2012 budget will make a difference in the lives of the people of Delta, adding: “Mr. Speaker, we have very good reasons to envision that this budget is capable of continuing to deepen the successful initiatives to reduce poverty and promote the general welfare of our people. Right from the beginning, the burning passion of this administration has been to initiate changes not seen since the creation of the State and indeed in any other part of the country.

It began with the articulation of our vision to diversify the economy of the State otherwise known, as building Delta Without Oil. This is anchored on our three-point agenda of peace and security, human capital and infrastructure development.”

Uduaghan explained that his administration has done enough work to ensure that the budget succeeds in its stated goals, saying: “The 2012 budget is predicated on result oriented strategies. Government is moving away from the usual budget practices of mere allocation of figures to a practical, structured, and robust approach that can sustain development. This Budget, therefore, is crafted to address the problems that have confronted us over the years.”