On Tuesday, the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, presented a budget of N606.9 billion to the Anambra State House of Assembly for the 2025 fiscal year. Again, this is the largest budget size ever to be presented to the Anambra State House of Assembly by any governor of the State in the past. Only last year, Governor Soludo presented a budget size of N410 billion, which was then the highest budget size the State had seen before now.
In his opening address, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somto Udeze, thanked the governor for among other things, road projects, and capacity building through the One Youth Two Skills programme of the administration. Pointing to the significance of the budget presentation, the Speaker said that the exercise is in line with section 212 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria, as amended. According to the Speaker, “budget presentation marks the beginning of a critical junction… that will impact the lives of Ndi Anambra.” While assuring the governor of the lawmakers’ commitment to performing their duties, the Speaker also reminded the governor to constitute the Anambra State Service Commission, legislative research institute, and legislative quarters as well as urged him to contend with rampaging criminals in the state.
In his 45-minute-long budget presentation speech, the governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, commenced by paying a glowing tribute to the 8th Anambra State Assembly. “The 8thAssembly has been a strong partner…history will be kind to you for your commitment and hard work… this House is a pacesetter,” Soludo said. The governor then went on to assure that the 2025 budget just like the previous budgets under his watch, has a point mandate of his administration in focus, which includes, security, law and order, infrastructure development, human capital, governance, and finally, the environment. The governor then narrated his achievements so far which include; reforms in primary healthcare, road infrastructure, ongoing construction of a new nursing school, one youth two skill programme, recruitment of 8115 teachers, the new Government House and Governor’s Lodge which he said would be commissioned in a few weeks. Others include the earlier proposed controversial 10-storey hotel, some works at Agulu Lake Hotel, and Solution Fun City.
The 2025 budget titled “Changing Gear 2.0,” has N467.4 billion, representing 77% of the total budget, was earmarked for capital expenditure for the year 2025, while N139.5 billion, which represents 23% of the total budget was projected as recurrent expenditure for the fiscal year. According to the governor, the administration will complete unfinished business with respect to the airport, invest in marine and road transportation, expand the one youth two skills programme, and provide grants, among others.
Assuring his administration’s resolve to deliver on its mandate, Prof. Soludo said that there are no excuses. “For us, there are no excuses or complaints. We applied for the job and must deliver dividends of democracy to our people.” He also committed to improving the Internally Generated Revenue, following his revelation that Anambra State “IGR remains the weakest link”, because, “an average of 2.5 billion a month is below the State’s capacity. There will be efforts to strengthen our revenue generation drive”, Prof. Soludo said.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu, the House Committee Chairman on Appropriation, thanked the governor and assured the legislature of its continued support in realizing the governor’s programmes.
Ebuka graduated with a second-class upper-division degree in Political Science from the University of Calabar in Nigeria. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master's Degree in Political Science with a specialization in Government and Development Studies from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Nigeria. His academic background and professional experience have equipped him with a deep understanding of political dynamics and governance issues.
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