The Delta state Government has recently introduced a proactive approach to ensure transparency in the utilization of funds allocated for the 2024 budget.
In a recent announcement made by Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, the State Commissioner for Economic Planning, the government has launched dedicated telephone numbers for Delta residents to report on the progress of ongoing projects within their communities.
The essence of these telephone lines, as disclosed by Mr. Ekedayen in Asaba, is to supplement the efforts of the Ministry’s monitoring and performance evaluation team.
This initiative aims to ensure that all projects adhere to specified quality standards. The provided telephone number, 09011862842, encourages residents to monitor contractors executing projects in their localities and submit WhatsApp messages with accompanying images or videos as evidence, without directly engaging or disrupting any ongoing work.
Moreover, Mr. Ekedayen highlighted the upcoming year’s plans, distinguishing them from the distractions faced during the previous year due to election campaigns. He emphasized the commitment of the Commissioners in driving the MORE agenda of the Oborevwori administration, stating that they had signed performance bonds with the Governor to ensure effective governance.
Regarding the 2024 budget, Mr. Ekedayen emphasized the state’s determination to spend within the confines of the generated revenue without resorting to loans. He stressed that the budget was organic and comparatively smaller due to its alignment with the state’s economic capacity.
Explaining the funding sources, he mentioned that approximately eighty percent of the budget would come from the federation account, while the remaining twenty percent would be from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He projected a monthly revenue of N12bn, intending to boost the IGR to about N150bn, consequently increasing the budget appropriation figure for the fiscal year.
The Commissioner sought the support and collaboration of the people of Delta, especially in monitoring projects and assessing their performance. He assured that any reports received would be acknowledged, and the actions taken would be communicated to the respective reporters.
