Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, on Monday, presented a N1.43 trillion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the House of Assembly.

The figure represented a 78 per cent increase from the 2025 budget of N807 billion.

The document was tagged, “Budget of Economic Breakthrough.”

Presenting the budget, Mr Uzodimma said that the proposal consisted 83.4 per cent capital expenditure and 16.6 per cent recurrent expenditure.

He said the proposed recurrent expenditure of about N238.499 billion covered personnel costs, overheads, and subventions, while the projected capital expenditure was slightly above N1 trillion.

He said that the budget was predicated on improved federal allocation and internally generated revenue, as well as his ambition to eradicate “a generator-based power economy and provide world-class infrastructure to facilitate economic breakthrough.”

The governor described the budget as a “clear statement of my administration’s direction and determination to provide needful infrastructure for economic development.”

He said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security was allocated N20.506 billion, while the Health Ministry would get N698.163 billion.

He also said that the Ministry of Works and Infrastructural Development was allocated N87.727 billion, while the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition would receive N6.471 billion.

Mr Uzodimma also said that the Ministry of Power and Electrification would get N190.451 billion, with the Education Ministry to receive N60.623 billion.

He said that the Ministry of Rural Development would receive N15.106 billion.

He commended the legislature for being “true partners in progress and for their full support and cooperation with the executive arm of government.”

Earlier, the speaker of the House, Chike Olemgbe, expressed the hope that the budget would usher in “increased and improved power” in the state.

Mr Olemgbe further expressed the hope for increased infrastructural projects, improved healthcare and human capital development, as well as sustained food security.

He further hailed the governor “for his initiatives, geared towards strengthening security in the state.”

He also commended him for his achievements and assured him of the assembly’s support for the actualisation of his policies geared towards the progress of the state.

The bill was later adjourned to December 23 for the second reading. 
(NAN)

In a vote of thanks, the deputy speaker, Amarachi Iwuanyanwu, commended the governor for diligently piloting the affairs of the state and his achievements.