Edo Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, had a bit of a rough start while presenting the 2025 budget proposal to the state House of Assembly, on Tuesday.
He struggled to get the figures right, stumbling over the numbers and eliciting laughter and murmurs from the lawmakers.
“The Edo state Appropriation Bill of six billion… 605 billion… 76 million…” Okpebholo began, his hands unsteady and voice quivering in the rarefied assembly.
“Let me take it again. 506 billion… 605 billion… sorry… 776 billion… sorry, it’s confusing me,” the governor stuttered and chuckled.
Despite the initial hiccup, Okpebholo composed himself and continued with the presentation.
The proposed budget, tagged “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo,” stands at N605 billion, a 25% increase from the 2024 budget.
The governor highlighted road infrastructure and education as key priorities for his administration, allocating N162 billion for road development and N48 billion for education.
Okpebholo also emphasised the importance of security and community development, pledging to bring peace and harmony to the state.
He announced plans to provide N500 million monthly subvention to the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, to support its revival.
The governor’s budget proposal is designed to achieve the goals of his five-point agenda, which includes security, infrastructural development, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education.
