ASABA/Nigeria: Multiple Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Delta State Government underwent rigorous scrutiny on Wednesday as they presented their 2024 budget proposals before relevant Standing Committees at the State Assembly Complex in Asaba, the state capital.
Chairing the session focused on the education sector, Charles Emetulu, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, emphasized the paramount importance of unity in driving progress. Representing Ndokwa West in the State Assembly, Emetulu highlighted Governor Sheriff Oberevwori’s prioritization of the educational sector, reflected in substantial budgetary allocations.
“Let me use this opportunity to again charge all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the Delta State education sector to rise up to the task of justifying the State government’s huge investments in the sector,” Emetulu urged, emphasizing the government’s focus on cultivating a skilled and enlightened population.
The lawmaker underscored the legislative commitment to safeguarding the interests of the citizens, stating, “The whole idea is not to witch-hunt anyone but to ensure that we protect our people; the ordinary Deltans.”
Emetulu, joined by fellow Committee members, emphasized the imperative for optimal performance in the upcoming fiscal year across the education sector.
Further discussions ensued as key figures like Hon Joan Oyemechi, responsible for Technical and Vocational Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu in charge of Primary Education, Rose Ezewu overseeing Secondary Education, and the Permanent Secretary of the State Universal Education Board, Mr. Brayan Unini, detailed challenges and prospects within their respective MDAs.
In a parallel session, the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Girl Child, and Humanitarian Support Services, led by Hon Bridget Anyafulu, engaged the Ministry of Housing, urging alignment with the government’s developmental agenda, known as the MORE agenda.
Anyafulu stressed the ministry’s pivotal role in Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s development strides, emphasizing the necessity for enhanced budget performance in 2024, particularly focusing on the dire need for quality, affordable housing for Deltans.
“As a ministry, you must ensure fiscal discipline and must also look at the philosophy behind budgeting,” Anyafulu asserted, highlighting the significance of strategic planning and resource management.
Commissioner for Housing, Godknows Angele, outlined the 2024 budget’s emphasis on completing ongoing projects and initiating new ones aligned with the state’s needs.
The sessions underscored a collective call for improved efficiency, accountability, and meticulous resource management across various sectors, echoing the state government’s commitment to fostering growth and meeting the needs of its populace.Angele said the revised budget Capital Estimate for the ministry for 2023 was N15.1 billion naira.
Commissioner for Girl Child Empowerment and Humanitarian Support Services, Orode Uduaghan, also led officials of the Ministry to appear before the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Girl Child and Humanitarian Support Services.
Orode Uduaghan assured the committee members of her readiness to surpass achievements recorded in the outgoing 2023 in the Ministry in 2024 financial year.
Chairman, Hon Bridget Anyafulu, while addressing the Commissioner and her team, emphasized the need for fiscal discipline in implementing the 2024 budget.
Hon Anyafulu noted that budget defence is the first step to budget implementation, maintaining that such would ensure financial prudence as well as attracting more dividends of democracy to the people.
She also advised MDAs under her watch, to think outside the box by working towards strengthening and achieving the MORE agenda of the present administration.
The Committee also met with the Ministry of Women Affairs led by its commissioner Hon Pat Ajudua, a former member of the State Legislature.
Hon Ayanfulu congratulated the non sitting member of the state legislature for her appointment as Commissioner, saying that she was confident of her ability to manage the affairs of the Women Affairs ministry.
