By Egufe Yafuborghi & Chioma Onuegbu

The Commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Ini Ememobong, has disclosed that the state’s draft budget estimate for 2025 is set at N955 billion.

Ememobong explained that the breakdown of the estimate shows N300 billion allocated for recurrent expenditure, while N655 billion is earmarked for capital projects. He noted that the draft estimates were approved during the State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday in Uyo.

He stated, “The meeting, chaired by the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, started with the presentation of the 2024 supplementary estimates and the draft recurrent and capital budgets for 2025 by the Honourable Commissioner for Finance.

“The supplementary budget reflects savings of N8,922,513,000 and an augmentation of N82,414,029,890, incorporated into the 2024 Appropriation Bill.

“For the 2025 draft estimates, the proposed recurrent expenditure is N300,000,000,000, representing a 14 per cent decrease from last year, while the capital expenditure is pegged at N655,000,000,000, reflecting a 13 per cent increase compared to 2024.”

The commissioner further revealed that the projected Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for 2025 is N80 billion, marking a 28 per cent increase over the 2024 figure. He added that the council approved both the supplementary budget and the draft estimates and directed their submission to the State House of Assembly for legislative review and further action.

According to Ememobong, the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, presented a report on pothole assessments and repairs, assuring that the state was on track to achieve a “no pothole” status.

“In a major policy review, the council also approved the implementation of a 65-year retirement age for non-academic staff of state-owned tertiary institutions, effective January 1, 2025. Additionally, the council approved the award of road projects across the three senatorial districts of the state,” he stated.

The approved road projects include:

Construction of a 12.5km road spanning Ibesit-Ikot Oto-Ikot Ekpenyong-Ikot Akama-Itung-Ediene Attai-Ikot Ebak in Oruk Anam and Mkpat Enin LGAs.

Construction of a 2.7km road from Nto Obio Akpan-Ikot Obong-Urua Akpan in Essien Udim LGA.

Construction of a 2km road from Ikot Uso-Udo Atan-Nto Obodem Mbiaso in Ikot Ekpene LGA.

Construction of a 10.9km road with two 40m-span bridges spanning Use-Use Ikot Amama-Ibiaku Ikot Erica-Itong Nkwot Edem Edet in Ibiono Ibom and Ikono LGAs.

Re-award of the 21.5km Ikot Ayan Ediene-Ikot Nita-Urua Naira-Ikot Nseyen-Nkwot-Nnung Ukim road, including a 45m-span bridge, in Ikono LGA.

Construction of a 2km access road to the School of Health Technology in Etinan LGA.

Construction of a 7.7km road, including State Housing Road with spur, Ikot Obiokpon/Ibong Road with spur, and Mount Zion Road with spurs in Ikot Ekpene LGA.

Ememobong emphasized that these projects reflect the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development and improved living conditions for the people of Akwa Ibom State.