ECONOMY: Senate Approves FG's $2.86bn Loan Request

The Nigeria's National Assembly (NASS) had on Thursday, 18th October 2018 approved the Federal Government intention to borrow the sum of 2.86 million dollars.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government (FG) under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, 9th October 2018 wrote a letter to the NASS seeking approval for a fresh external loan of $2,868,540,000.

The letter, which was read by the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki during plenary, was also copied to the House of Representatives as the custom demands.

Rostrum learnt that in the letter, President Buhari said that the loan would be used to partly fund the 2018 budget.

According to the breakdown of the loan, while $2.786 billion would be borrowed from the international capital market the part-financing of the 2018 budget’s fiscal deficit as well as to finance key infrastructure projects in 2018 budget, the FG needs to raise another $82.54 million from the international capital market to refinance the balance of $500 million mature Eurobond in the international capital market.

President Buhari’s letter reads: “Pursuant to Sections 21 (1) and 27 (1) of the Debt Management Office (Establishment Etc) Act, 2003, I hereby request for distinct and specific resolutions of the National Assembly to:

“Issue USD2.786 billion in Eurobonds and other securities in the international capital market for the implementation of New External Borrowing approved in the Federal Government of Nigeria’s 2018 Appropriation Act, for the part-financing of the 2018 budget’s fiscal deficit as well as to finance key infrastructure projects in 2018 budget.

“And issue Eurobonds and other securities in the international capital market for the refinancing of USD82.54 million, being the balance of the five-year, USD 500 million mature Eurobonds.”

The President also sought Senate’s approval for N346 billion Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) budget for 2018.

Breakdown of the budget indicates that while N313.883 billion should be appropriated for capital expenditure, the sum of N31 billion was earmarked for recurrent expenditure.

BREAKING: Okowa Presents N367bn Budget For 2019 Fiscal Year

The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on Wednesday, 17th October 2018 presented a budget proposal of N367, 095,083,451 to the State House of Assembly for the 2019 fiscal year.

According to the governor, capital expenditure in the projected budget will gulp the sum of N209, 999,054,198 which is 57.21 per cent while the sum of N157, 096,029,253 or 42.79 per cent of the budget would be spent on recurrent expenditure.

Recall that the year 2018 had as its total budget size N308,888,558,898 (three hundred and eight billion, eight hundred and eighty-eight million, five hundred and fifty-eight thousand, eight hundred and ninety-eight naira), comprising N147,273,989,898 (one hundred and forty-seven billion, two hundred and seventy-three million, nine hundred and eighty-nine thousand, eight hundred and ninety-eight naira) recurrent expenditure, and capital expenditure of N161,614,569,000 (one hundred and sixty-one billion, six hundred and fourteen million, five hundred and sixty-nine thousand naira.
Presenting the budget at a well attended session of the Delta State House of Assembly which had the Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori presiding, Governor Okowa disclosed that the projected 2019 budget, christened “Budget of sustainable growth”, would enable his administration consolidate on its successes and achievements.

“Despite the fluctuating fortunes of the economy in the last three-and-half years, I humbly note that our State has continued to forge ahead; workers are paid regularly, thousands of previously unemployed youths are gainfully employed, and many of our people now enjoy better facilities in terms of roads, water, education and health. Agriculture has received a strong boost with many cluster farms springing up in different parts of the State and, even more importantly, our people remain committed to peace and harmonious living,” he said.

He added, “We shall build on this stable growth to position Delta State as a dynamic economy for the future; indeed, a Stronger Delta beckons.”

Road Infrastructure will get the greatest chunk of the budget with N79.6 billion while the Education Sector would gulp N26.8 billion.

BELOW IS THE PRESENTATION MADE BY THE GOVERNOR TO THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY 

2019 BUDGET ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR, DR IFEANYI OKOWA, THE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, TO THE DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018.

Mr. Speaker

Honourable Members

Honourable Members

It is my pleasure to present to this honourable House the fourth budget in this Government’s first four-year mandate. The first three budgets of this administration were largely centred on charting five main pathways critical to actualizing our reforms agenda of job/wealth creation, fiscal stability, and sustained economic growth. The proposed 2019 budget will consolidate, expand and deepen the process as we pursue our transformative goal of building a strong, diversified and inclusive economy.

2. 2019 is a peculiar year because of the general elections at both the federal and state levels. That poses a challenge of its own, quite different from the relative predictability of the outgoing year. Traditionally, electioneering periods tend to exert huge toll on governance while impacting negatively on fiscal stability. The challenge for us as an administration is to maintain our focus, ensure strong, stable macroeconomic fundamentals and sound public finances.

3. STRATEGIC IMPERATIVES FOR THE 2019 BUDGET

–          A major thrust of the 2019 budget proposal is to reflate the economy and better manage our level of exposure as a Government. To achieve this, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies ranked their budget proposals in descending order of priority taking 100% of all outstanding commitments of 2015 and 2016 into account, while 60% and 40% of existing contractual obligations in 2017 and 2018 were respectively factored into the 2019 budget plan.

–          Road and physical infrastructure, education and health continue to receive priority attention in our on-going efforts to uplift the standard and quality of life of the population.

–          Creating new opportunities for job creation and private investment is a recurring theme as we seek to instil in our youths the entrepreneurial spirit while supporting and promoting the growth and development of MSMEs.

–          Policy harmonization and coordination is critical for sustainable value creation as we march towards our absolutely challenging goal of building a strong and resilient economy that will deliver our goal of prosperity for all.

–          Central to the effective implementation of the 2019 budget proposals is the compelling need to uphold and strengthen the values of good governance, bolster the various peace building platforms, ensure fiscal discipline, drive effective public communication, promote community engagement and deliver excellent service.

OUR SCORECARD

4. Before I delve into the details of the 2019 budget proposals, it is only fitting and proper that I take a few minutes to reflect on the achievements of our administration in the past three and half years.

1. Fiscal and Macroeconomic Stability

5. Mr Speaker, you will recall that in my inaugural address to this honourable house I disclosed that the Government was beset with a Revenue Bond and indebtedness to commercial banks totalling N98.62bn(Principal sum), while outstanding contractual obligations was N538,601,962,421.50. I am happy to announce to you that this exposure has been significantly reduced to about N228, 328,360,009. We were able to achieve this through revalidation, repudiation, reconciliation and value for money exercise. We remain committed to sustaining this exercise through prudent awards of contracts and payment of same to key and significant projects.

6. I extend my profound appreciation to this House for their cooperation and support in reducing the deficit. Indeed, the synergy between this House and the executive arm of Government has been nothing short of superlative. This sense of mission and unity of purpose are what we need to engender long-term economic development, social harmony, political stability, and general well-being of our people. My sincere appreciation also goes to the Civil Service Establishment, the Nigerian Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and all workers’ unions and associations for their understanding and support.

7. Internally Generated Revenue equally took a downturn as a result of the economic crisis.  To worsen matters, the relocation of some oil multinationals like Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, Pan Ocean Oil Corporation, and other oil servicing companies from the State had occasioned a steep decline in internal revenue generation from N50bnand N42bn in 2013 and 2014 respectively, to N40bn in 2015.

8. To shore up the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), we had to systematically overhaul the entire revenue generation machinery of the State. This included expanding the tax payers base, fortifying enforcement/regulatory measures, introduction of e-Receipt and Central Billing System aimed at blocking leakages, as well as other fiscal management reforms. As a result of these measures, the tax agent database for the formal sector rose from 1,800 to 7,200. Also, the database of taxpayers in the informal sector jumped from about 5,000 to 336,061.
9. Subsequently, the internally generated revenue of the State has witnessed a steady growth resulting in N44bnand N51bn being generated in 2016 and 2017 respectively. As at the end of the first half of 2018, the sum of N31.2bn has been generated.

1. Peace Building for Sustainable Development

10. It is a maxim in development economics that no meaningful development can take place without peace. To the glory of God, I am happy to report that Delta State has enjoyed social and political stability for the major part of our first four years in office. And this is largely due to the peace building measures we proactively took to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

11. The first of these measures was the one-day Stakeholders’ Summit to address “Security and Environmental Challenges in the Oil and Gas Sector in Delta State” in January 2016. The meeting was necessitated by the need to devise appropriate security strategies, regulatory frameworks, and countervailing measures needed for adequate protection of our oil and gas installations.

12. That summit proved to be prophetic because less than two months after the summit took place, there was a resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta. The attendant destruction/vandalism of oil and gas facilities, leading to fall in oil production, impacted negatively on the nation’s revenue receipts from oil exports. A catastrophic resultant effect was mass spillage and destruction of aquatic life. Delta State bore the major brunt of the damage following the bombing of the Forcados Export Terminal.

13. In a swift move to stanch the bleeding, I inaugurated a nine-man Advocacy Committee Against Vandalism of Oil and Gas Facilities with His Excellency, Barr. (Dcn) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, Deputy Governor of Delta State, as Chairman.

14. Through the efforts of the Committee the Forcados Export Terminal was successfully reactivated. It is worthy to point out that over 200,000 barrels of crude oil is fed into the country’s export from the Forcados 48 – inch underwater export pipeline operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).  Ensuring the repair and activation of the export line meant a higher level of crude export for the national economy and Delta State, the host State of the facility, has been better for it.

15. In addition, the Advocacy Committee has continuously engaged youths in the oil bearing communities for intelligence gathering and surveillance of oil and gas facilities from May 2017 till date.  This, no doubt, has helped to boost oil and gas production/export in the State resulting in improved earnings.

16. Let me also add that our continuing efforts at youth training and entrepreneurship development have, in no small measure, helped to ensure peace and stability. Many of our once idle and restive youths are now meaningfully engaged in productive endeavours. Aside from the enterprise development programmes undertaken by the Office of the Chief Job Creation Officer, we have also inaugurated a State Steering Committee on Special Youth Intervention Training and Empowerment Programme with the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development as the Chairman.

iii.   Road and Physical Infrastructure

17. This administration has prioritized the development of road infrastructure to interconnect our rural communities and enhance urban renewal and integration. Our road projects portfolio since May 2015 is 317 projects comprising 1,000km of roads and 344km of drains valued at over N243bn. Out of this number, 135 projects covering 405km of roads and 159km of drainage channels (alongside roads) have been completed.

18. Worthy of mention are the roads that have been embarked upon in riverine communities with their difficult terrain. In particular, I will like to cite the Main Axial Road and Okerenkoko Township roads in Warri South West Local Government Areas as some of the flagship projects of this administration. There is also the on-going rehabilitation and Asphalt Overlay of the 19.7km Obutobo 1 –Obutobo11 – Sokebolou – Yokori road in Burutu Local Government Area. These projects have excited the residents of these communities and underscore our resolve to break new frontiers and bring development to every part of the State no matter how remote.

19. The Asaba Storm Water Drainage Project is on course.

–          The channel from Nnebisi Road through DLA to Jesus-Saves road is already completed except for ancillary road works that are currently on-going.

–          The Ralph Uwaechue through Ibori Golf Course to Anwai River channel is 64% completed and should be fully ready in February 2019

–          There is the third channel from DBS through Cabinet Road to Amilimocha River. This is 44.7% done and should also be completed in February 2019.

20. The recently completed Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, complete with tartan tracks, digital score board, new flood lighting technology, is a beauty to behold and one of the few stadia in the country with fully covered stands. The 21^stAfrican Senior Athletics Championship, which took place at the stadium, was one event that registered high scores for Nigeria in the areas of project execution and hosting of sporting events. At the end of the competition, athletes broke African and national records, changed their minds about the initial hiccups experienced, and Asaba 2018 registered the highest number of participating countries and foreign journalists since the commencement of the championship in 1979.  The stadium is already attracting national attention.  A week from today, it will host the final of the AITEO Federations Cup between Enugu Rangers International Football Club and Kano Pillars Football Club.

21. I am delighted to report that we have made considerable progress in our quest to make Asaba Airport an international gateway. Following the successful completion of the runway rehabilitation work, the airport has been approved and upgraded to a Category 6 Airport to receive and dispatch large aircraft, by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Consequently, Nigeria’s premier carrier, Air Peace Airline resumed daily scheduled flight operations in and out of Asaba Airport on Monday, 8^thOctober, 2018. The management of Air Peace Airline has already indicated interest to make Asaba Airport its operational hub, where it can quickly build its maintenance hangers.

22. Furthermore, work on our concession plan for the airport has also reached an advanced stage. The concession will ensure that we realise our objective of turning the airport into a mega commercial and travel hub in this part of the country in record time, in order to boost our economy and create more jobs for our people. So far, we have received strong interests from both local and international investors in the concession exercise. We expect the airport to be fully concessioned in 2019. In this regard, we published a formal “Request for Proposal” in national newspapers on Tuesday, 9^thOctober, 2018.

 iv. Human Capital Development

1. Enterprise Development
2. Across board, the thrust of our human capital development policy is to build a knowledge economy, equip our people with the skill sets to create jobs and wealth, stimulate the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and enhance the business competitiveness of the State. The Office of the Chief Job Creation Officer, a Special Purpose Vehicle, was created with this goal in mind.

24. By design and implementation, their two flagship programmes, Skills Training and Entrepreneurship programme (STEP) and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP), have been very effective in turning unemployed youths between the ages of 18-35 into entrepreneurs, leaders and managers, with high levels of personal effectiveness. The Ministries of Agriculture, Women Affairs and Youth Development as well as the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency have also been very effective in the training and empowerment of our people to create wealth and earn a decent living.

25. As at September 30, 2018, 15,041 of persons have been trained and established in their various enterprises by this administration. The breakdown is as follows:

• Office of the Chief Job Creation Officer      = 3,073
• Ministry of Agriculture                                 =  3,562
• DEMSMA                         = 7,566
• Women Affairs                       =     640
• Youth Development                   =     200

26. I want this honourable House to please note that these figures do not include the multiplied thousands of direct and indirect jobs created through our massive investment in road and physical infrastructure, agricultural value chain support schemes, microcredit, contributory health insurance, technical education, public environmental works and other socio-economic initiatives.
27. SEEFOR
28. Delta State is one of the four Niger Delta Pilot States for the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) Project, a World Bank/European Union Intervention in partnership. The Project Development Objective is to enhance opportunities for youth employment and access to socio-economic services while improving the public financial management processes of each implementing State. The project has three main components namely:youth employment through small public works and access to socio-economic services; public financial management reforms; and project management.
29. The SEEFOR project has provided direct employment for over 8,455 youths and indirect employment for about 5,000 persons in the State. In addition 733 youths were trained on short-term vocational enterprises under Technical, Vocational, Educational and Agricultural Training (TVEAT), in a project co-founded by the State.

In order to improve the efficiency of our business process, a new state-of-the-art, converged infrastructure has been procured, installed and currently in use for upgrade of the SAP ERP Application software. A new SAP license regime has been put in place leading to a savings of $600,000 p.a. for the State Government through the waiver of $2.3 million as well as the reduction of the legacy annual license from $750,000 p.a. to $145,000 per annum by the SAP Management.
C. Education

26. As you very well know, the shift in focus from certificate acquisition to skills acquisition has been the centrepiece of our reforms in the education sector. Towards this end, the six technical colleges in the State have been given a new lease of life. To date over ₦3 billion (Three Billion Naira) has been spent on infrastructural upgrade and supply (and in some cases refurbishment) of equipment to the Technical Colleges. Full accreditation has been obtained for all programmes in the six Technical Colleges from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

31. It is a thing of joy that our investment in the technical colleges is yielding the desired dividends. Enrolment has increased between 2015 and now as shown in the table below:

YEAR	MALE	FEMALE	TOTAL
2015	–	–	2,424
2016	1,453	1,054	2,507
2017	3,265	1,655	4,920
2018	2,950	2,029	4,979

32. With improved linkages and partnerships, all Six Technical Colleges now enjoy a World Bank/SEEFOR grant of ₦45 million annually. They now run vocational programmes thus positioning them as Vocational Enterprise Institutes (VEIs) and for the National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF). For the full utility of personnel, equipment and instructional facilities, Junior Secondary Education (JS 1-3) has been approved in Technical Colleges
33. To enhance access to education and in consonance with SDG 4, the UBE Act and new National Policy on Education, we have established 12 primary and 34 secondary schools, most of them in difficult to reach areas of the State. With the new additions, Delta State now has 1,124 public primary and 465 public secondary schools.

34. Infrastructural development in our schools is going on steadily. As at today we have completed the following model schools: Ogbemudien Secondary School, Agbor; Alema College, Abigborodo; Burutu Grammar School, Burutu; Owa Model Secondary School, Boji-Boji Owa and Otu Jeremi Secondary School, Otu Jeremi.

35. The problem of poor teacher quality requires a pragmatic solution that will ensure teaching excellence and improved welfare at the same time. Consequently, the State Executive Council approved the establishment of a Teacher Professional Development Centre at Owa-Oyibu, Ika North East Local Government Area. The construction of Phase 1 of the project, which consists of the main block (incorporating the Admin Offices and Lecture Theatres) and external works (incorporating the perimeter fence and utility buildings) is ongoing and at approximately 65% completion.When fully completed, the Centre will help to train, retool and upgrade teachers at various levels to ensure optimum output.

36. In the tertiary education sector, we have continued to invest heavily in physical infrastructure to provide a more conducive learning climate, in addition to ensuring that the academic standard is kept high to merit continuous accreditation by the relevant regulatory authorities. Some of the on-going projects in our tertiary institutions include:

–               Construction of Lecture Theatre for the Faculty of   Engineering, Oleh Campus, Delta State University

–               Construction of Faculty of Science Building, Abraka Campus Delta State University

–                Construction of Multi-Purpose Lecture Theatre, Abraka    campus, Delta State University

–                Construction of 12 Classroom Storey Building Block at the Delta State Institute of Continuing Education, Asaba

–                Construction of Faculty Building and 2nos of 500 Sitting Capacity Lecture Theatre, Anwai Campus, Delta State University.

–                Construction of Auditoria at the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro

–                Construction of Auditoria at the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku

D. Health

1. The Universal Health Coverage of the State Government is a resounding success. You will recall that under this administration Delta became the first State in the federation to launch Universal Health Coverage. As at September 30, 2018, the total number of enrolees stood at 316,301. This is broken down as follows:
   i.        Equity Plan Enrolees 189,349 (Comprising 74,763 –

                     Pregnant women and 114,586 – U5 children)

1. Formal Plan Enrolees 118,798 (comprising 47, 255 Primary Enrolees and 71,543 Dependants)

        iii.   Informal Plan 8,154 (comprising 3, 646 widows, 4,508 Keke Riders and 40 Royal Fathers).

38. The Scheme has been nationally acclaimed as it received awards for the Outstanding State Government Healthcare Programme of the Year 2017; and the State with the most people covered under its State Social Health Insurance Scheme with a focus on the Poor and Vulnerable population in Nigeria 2018.

39. To ensure quality and efficient service delivery under the scheme, the State Executive Council recently approved the renovation of 107 primary health centres across the State. In addition, we have taken delivery of the Doctors and Nurses Quarters at the Government Hospital, Ofagbe while medical equipment for the Dialysis Centre at the Central Hospital, Warri has been procured. We have also undertaken the renovation and rehabilitation of the General Hospital, Bomadi and rehabilitation of facilities at the Cottage Hospital, Ogriagbene also in Bomadi, among others.

Water Resources Development and Management

40. This administration has made significant breakthroughs in water resources development and management in the State. When we assumed office in May 2015, the Delta State Public Water baseline was at about 706 Water Schemes, out of which about 288 being 39%, were functional. We can assert today that we now have 900 Water Schemes in the State out of which 630 being 70%, are functional.

41. The Warri Effurun Water Supply Scheme PPP model, aimed at resuscitating and providing cheaper potable safe water to over 16,000 (Sixteen Thousand) households in the Warri/Effurun environ through prepaid water meters, remains a flagship and indeed the First Water Supply PPP model, not only in Delta State but Nigeria. All approvals, except the consent of the Federal Ministry of Finance, are now in place. It has taken some time but we are now assured that the Private Investor will be on site before the end of November this year.

42. Delta State has over the past three years paid its counterpart contribution totalling N705million in its partnership with EU/UNICEF and accordingly attracted grants of over N3billion from the EU towards improving Water Supply in Delta State. The impact of this partnership in the supply of portable water to our people is being felt substantially in virtually all rural areas of Ndokwa West and Isoko South LGAs. Water Schemes valued at over one billion naira has been advertised and is being processed for virtually all the rural areas of Ukwuani and Ethiope East LGAs. Furthermore, EU/UNICEF has donated a Data Centre with a face value of N150, 000,000.00 (One hundred and fifty million naira) to Delta State. The Data Centre is located at the premises of Delta State Urban Water Board.

43. A new strategy for improved service delivery in the provision of potable water to Deltans, particularly in the urban centres, has culminated in the award of contracts for the upgrade of Asaba and Ughelli Water Supply Schemes to Regional Schemes, at the costs of N233,781,350.00 (Two hundred and thirty three million, seven hundred and eighty one thousand three hundred and fifty Naira) and N144,296,212.50 (One hundred and forty four million, two hundred and ninety six thousand two hundred and twelve naira fifty kobo) respectively. This will not only improve the volume of public water supply in Asaba and Ughelli but will enable the direct connection of public water to 2,000 and 1,000 individual households respectively through pre-paid meters in this first phase.

44. The Bomadi Water Scheme is a landmark achievement of this administration. For over twenty years, the Bomadi people did not enjoy public water supply. This is because the cost of construction of a borehole in Bomadi as in Ogwashi-Uku is beyond the reach of the average resident because the soil is iron prone. This means that even if you are able to fund the cost of borehole construction, you must contend with the issue of treatment to make your water source usable. Today we now have a functional water scheme in Bomadi with over 25 water fetching island, a functional treatment plant with adequate capacity to treat enough water volume to supply treated and potable water to over five more communities in the Bomadi environ, namely Kpakiama, Tuomo, Oboro, Okpokunu and Gbaregolor. A massive Solar and Inverter System that ably supports the Generator Sets and a 100,000 Water Tank with adequate Booster pump is being constructed. The connection to these other five communities will be the second phase of the Bomadi Water Project.

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

45. We have completed a new office complex for the office of the Head of Service. We are following that up with an ultramodern Central Secretariat Complex that is currently under construction. Contract for the project was awarded in November, 2017 and the project is expected to be completed two years from the date of award. The new secretariat complex, located between the two existing secretariats along Maryam Babangida Way, is a modern architectural complex of six floors and is expected to accommodate 28 Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the State. It covers an area of over 40,000 square metres, and will be the first public building in the State with disability access, crèche, clinic and banking hall.

46. I am confident that when completed the new secretariat will enhance coordination and synergy among the various MDAs as well as making a strong case for more efficient and cost-effective government. It will save the State Government millions of naira it currently forks out annually on rented apartments, aside from that most of the rented buildings are not suitable for office use as they were originally designed and constructed for residential purposes.

47. These are but a few highlights of our numerous achievements. From the foregoing it is crystal clear that we are fulfilling our promises to the people. On all the five pillars of our S.M.A.R.T agenda we have delivered even as we steadfastly march toward our goal of prosperity for all.

REVIEW OF THE PERFORMANCE OF 2018 BUDGET (January – June)

48. Mr Speaker and distinguished Honourable members, I will now turn my attention to review the performance of the 2018 Budget.  The total budget size was N308,888,558,898(three hundred and eight billion, eight hundred and eighty-eight million, five hundred and fifty-eight thousand, eight hundred and ninety-eight naira).This comprised N147,273,989,898(one hundred and forty-seven billion, two hundred and seventy-three million, nine hundred and eighty-nine thousand, eight hundred and ninety-eight naira) recurrent expenditure, and capital expenditure of N161,614,569,000 (one hundred and sixty-one billion, six hundred and fourteen million, five hundred and sixty-nine thousand naira).

49. The profile of the 2018 budget is as follows:

REVENUE:

S/N	Sources of Funds	Approved 2018 Budget	% Appropriation
I	Internally Generated Revenue	71,360,419,715	23
Ii	Statutory Allocation Including Mineral Rev. Derivation	178,056,627,329	58
Iii	Value Added Tax	10,767,532,297	3
iv	Other Capital Receipts	48,703,979,557	16
	Total	308,888,558,898	100

EXPENDITURE:

S/N	Details	Approved      2018 Budget	% Appropriation
I	Recurrent Expenditure	147,273,989,898	48
Ii	Capital Expenditure	161,614,569,000	52
	Total	308,888,558,898	100

 BUDGET PERFORMANCE (JANUARY TO JUNE, 2018): REVENUES

50. The State Government, during the period under review generatedN150.9bn representing a performance of 97.7% over the expected proportionate revenue receipts ofN154.4bn. Out of this amount, the sum of   N108.6bn was received as Statutory Allocation from the Federation Account. The amount represents 122.1% performance over the proportionate estimate of N89.0bn.

51. On the other hand, the sum of N6.4bnwas recorded as receipts from Value Added Tax (VAT) out of the proportionate projected estimates of N5.4bn representing a budget performance of 118.8%for the period under review.
    

52. In the first half of the year, the sum ofN31.2bn was recorded as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) out of the proportionate projected revenue of N35.8bn, representing a budget performance of 87.3%. Some of the factors responsible for the good performance include better public engagement, expanded tax payers’ base, and strict enforcement measures. We are confident that by the end of 2018, we shall record a modest increase over the current performance.

BUDGET PERFORMANCE (JANUARY TO JUNE, 2018):

EXPENDITURES

53. Our expenditure profile for January to June, 2018, shows that the total sum of N66.5bnwas spent on recurrent items as against a proportionate approved budget of N73.7bn, representing a budget performance of 90.4%. The breakdown of the recurrent expenditure is summarized below:

54. The sum of N161.6bnwas budgeted for Capital Expenditure in the 2018 fiscal year.  During the period under review (January – June, 2018), the sum of N38.6bnwas spent as against the proportionate budget figure of N80.8bn, which represents a performance of 47.8%. This is, however, not a true reflection of the level of jobs accomplished/completed within the comparable period, which stands at about 50%.  We were constrained by our cash flow and weather conditions.  We, however, look forward to a better 3^rd and 4th quarters with increased activities and funding.

2019 BUDGET PROPOSALS

55. Mr Speaker, taking into consideration the above factors and the projections derived from our Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), a total budget of N367, 095,083,451is being proposed for the 2019 fiscal year.  This amount comprises the sum of N157, 096,029,253or 42.79% for recurrent expenditure, andN209, 999,054,198 or 57.21% for capital expenditure. The summary is as follows:

SOURCES OF FUND:

56. The main sources of funds for the 2019 budget as proposed are as follows:               

INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE 

57. With the sustenance of all the measures put in place to overhaul the revenue infrastructure, the IGR for 2018 is expected to improve. The signs are obvious with a performance of 87% in the first half of the current year. We shall continue to sustain and improve on the measures taken thus far which culminated in the increased revenue profile. While new sources of revenue are being explored, we shall also intensify enforcement of appropriate tax legislation. It is, therefore, our projection to generate the sum of N73.4bnas Internally Generated Revenue in 2019, representing 20.77% of the total projected revenues for the year. The IGR estimates for 2019 is higher than the 2018 approved estimates by N1.9bnor 2.8%.

STATUTORY ALLOCATION

58. Using the forecast derived from the State’s Fiscal Strategy Paper as a guide, the sum of N217.8bnor 61.5% of projected total revenue for the 2019 fiscal year is expected to come from Statutory Allocation. This amount is more than the sum of N178.0bnbudgeted for the 2018 fiscal year byN39.8bn or 22.3%.
59. The increase is a function of the relative calm that has returned to the oil producing region and the improvement in the price of oil in the international market as well as the return of some oil majors back to full operation in the State.  This positive development is reflected in the robust performance of the receipts from this revenue budget line in the first six months of 2018 where we recorded 122% performance over the proportionate budget estimates for the period.  It is also our realistic expectation that this positive trend will continue in 2019.

OTHER CAPITAL RECEIPTS/MISCELLANEOUS

60. The proposal for Capital Receipts for the 2018 Budget has been increased from the sum of N48.7bnin the 2018 Budget to N62.7bn, showing a variation of N14bn.

RECURRENT EXPENDITURE

61. The proposed recurrent expenditure estimates for 2019 of N157,096,029,253is made up of personnel costs of          N65,736,621,939 or 41.8% and overhead costs of               N55, 243,917,068or 35.2%. For Social Benefits/Consolidated Revenue Fund, we have a proposal of the sum of               N36, 115,490,246 or 23.0%. This is made up of grants and contributions, gratuities, consolidated wages and loan repayment. The breakdown is as follows:

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES

62. The proposed capital expenditure estimates for 2019 is N209bn. The proposal is N48.3bnor 29.9% higher than the 2018 capital budget of N161.6bn.
63. The sectoral breakdown of the capital expenditure estimates is as stated hereunder:

HIGHLIGHTS OF PRIORITY SECTORS

                Job Creation

64. Our job creation programmes are having verifiable positive impacts on the lives of previously unemployed Delta youths and on the economy and development of the State. Across the state, there are testimonies of successful small businesses by those who were trained and established under STEP and YAGEP.
65. Some have grown to become employers of labour and are training other youths to become self-employed. Others have innovatively diversified into other businesses/trades or entered into business partnerships and relationships to enhance their incomes. Still, many have achieved greater employability through these programmes and are now gainfully employed in the industrial and other sectors.  Through its partnership and collaboration with private sector training centres, the job creation scheme is also impacting positively on the growth and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the State.
66. In the 2019 fiscal year, the State Government will give emphasis to consolidating on the gains of the past three programme cycles, strengthening programme implementation and enhancing beneficiary sustainability.
67. The sum ofN1.1bn is being earmarked for the Office of the Chief Job Creation Officer in 2019.  

Agriculture

68. Working with the Local Government Councils, community leaders and traditional rulers, the State Government has acquired three thousand, eight hundred and fifty hectares (3,850ha) of farmland to facilitate the ease of doing agricultural business in Delta State. The State Land Acquisition Committee is handling the documentations of the donated land.
69. Over 244 Sub-projects have been completed across the State under SEEFOR – Fadama II intervention leading to yield increases of 22%, 84%, 26%, 86% and 200% for agricultural enterprises of cassava, poultry, piggery, aquaculture and plantain respectively.
70. In line with the agricultural transformation and wealth creation objectives of this administration, we are implementing several public-private partnership initiatives for the development of agricultural value chains and agro-industries. An example is the joint venture project for the establishment and operation of Agro-Industrial Park at Aboh Ogwashi-Uku in partnership with Mirai Technologies Ltd. In addition, we are running a Pilot Scheme on foods export, starting with high quality garri. The foods export initiative is designed to process standardized agricultural products, create regular markets and sustained incomes for our farmers and achieve market-driven development of the agricultural value chain.
71. Delta Government has signed a $20 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Norsworthy Investment, a private firm, under a Public/Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the Delta State Government to embark on an oil palm plantation on 3,000 hectares of land at Akwukwu-Igbo and the development of the full value chain for oil palm. The project is set to kick off with 1,000 hectares of oil palm plantation and has the potential of creating over 5,000 jobs for our people in the agricultural value chain.
72. The sum of N2.9bnis earmarked for the activities of the Ministry of Agriculture in the forthcoming fiscal year.

Road Infrastructure

73. We are irrevocably committed to link our towns and cities with standard road networks to ease the movement of goods and services and thereby boost trade and commerce.  In the same vein, we shall vigorously pursue urban renewal and integration by building liveable towns and cities for the benefit of current and future generations.
74. The sum of N79.6bn has been earmarked for road infrastructure in 2019.

Sports Development

75. Delta is gradually regaining its glory days in sports. The Principals Cup football competition among secondary schools is in its second year while the Headmasters Cup football competition for primary schools was introduced in 2018. Delta State emerged first in the recently concluded National Youth Games.
76. This administration is keen on sustaining the momentum generated because of the immense potential of sports to engage our youths, provide recreation and create wealth.
77. The sum of N3.9bnis being proposed for the sub-sector in the 2019 budget.

Water Resources

78. The achievements recorded in this sector will be consolidated in 2019 even as the State Government leverages on its partnership with EU/UNICEF in delivering safe, potable water to our people. As a result of the transparency shown in the partnership between the State and the EU/UNICF and the reforms that are being implemented in its water sector, Delta State has been prequalified amongst 14 States for the phase one intervention by the USAID.
79. Upon further verifications, six States out of the 14 pre-qualified will be selected and about US$3.5million will be given to each successful State as a grant, fully funded by the United States Government. This is part of the United States Government’s efforts to address gaps in urban water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in Nigeria. The goal of USAID/Nigeria is for the USA to support the improvement of urban water service delivery by working with Nigerian partners to strengthen the governance, financial and technical viability of six State Water Boards in Nigeria. We are confident that Delta State will be selected.
80. The sum of N1.6bn has been earmarked for the water sub-sector in the 2019 budget.

Health

81. The health sector will continue to receive priority attention in the 2019 fiscal year. The State ambulance scheme is being reactivated. When operational, it would cover Asaba, Warri, Eku, Abraka, Ughelli and Agbor, among others. The ambulance scheme is designed to ensure immediate response to convey accident victims to the nearest health facility. Boat ambulances would be used to cover the riverine communities while we also intend to revive the use of mobile doctors to deliver healthcare to the people.
82. The sum of N8.6bn is proposed for the health sector in the 2019 fiscal year.

Education

83. Education remains a powerful tool to drive socio-economic development of any society. This underscores the reason this administration places high premium on the comprehensive development of the education sector and, in particular, Technical and Vocational Education. It is also our belief that every child should have unfettered access to basic education.
84. To ensure we continue to access the UBE funds, the State Executive Council recently approved the release of ₦1,286,343,183.55 counterpart fund to enable us assess the 2017 UBEC fund which places it as one of the few States in the country to do so.
85. The sum of N2.5bn isbudgeted for the purpose of meeting the counterpart funding needs in the 2019 fiscal year.
86. The sum of N26.8bn has been earmarked for the education sub-sector in the 2019 budget proposals.

Conclusion

87. Mr Speaker and Members of the House, we have christened our 2019 budget a BUDGET OF SUSTAINABLE GROWTH. The year 2018 witnessed a significant improvement in our revenue receipts and it is our hope that this trend is sustained in 2019. We are poised to consolidate our successes and achievements and institutionalize the policies and practices that made them possible.
88. Despite the fluctuating fortunes of the economy in the last three-and-half years, I humbly note that our State has continued to forge ahead. Workers are paid regularly, thousands of previously unemployed youths are gainfully employed, and many of our people now enjoy better facilities in terms of roads, water, education and health. Agriculture has received a strong boost with many cluster farms springing up in different parts of the State and, even more importantly, our people remain committed to peace and harmonious living.
89. Going forward, we shall build on this stable growth to position Delta State as a dynamic economy for the future. Indeed, a Stronger Delta beckons.
90. It is on this note, Mr Speaker, that I now request your kind permission to place before this honourable House the proposed 2019 Budget for your consideration.
91. Thank you for your time and attention.
92. God bless us all.

JUST IN: May Insists On Brexit Amid Challenges

The British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May has disclosed she believed a deal on the United Kingdom's (UK’s) orderly withdrawal from the EU remains “achievable”, despite the deadlock in negotiations ahead of a crunch Brussels summit.

She was due to address leaders of the 27 remaining EU states before they discuss Brexit in her absence at the European Council in the evening of Wednesday, 17th October 2018.

But leaders were openly saying that there would be “no breakthrough” at the summit, which was long billed as the “moment of truth” when a deal must be done to give time for ratification by the date of Brexit on March 29 2019.

Arriving in Brussels, Mrs. May insisted there had been “very good progress” since last month’s meeting in Salzburg, when she was humiliatingly told that her Chequers plan for Brexit would not work.

 
But she acknowledged that differences remain over the key issue of the “backstop” arrangement to keep the Irish border open in the absence of a broader trade deal.


“We have solved most of the issues in the withdrawal agreement,” said Mrs May.
“There is still the question of the Northern Irish backstop.
“But I believe everybody around the table wants to get a deal. By working intensively and closely, we can achieve that deal.

“I believe a deal is achievable and now is the time to make it happen.”
Before travelling to Brussels, Mrs May vowed to protect the “precious Union of the United Kingdom” as she answered questions in the House of Commons.

However, during exchanges at Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the Tories were too “weak and divided” to negotiate effectively with Brussels.
Mrs May told MPs: “We will not accept any proposals which would effectively break up the United Kingdom.”

Earlier, Simon Coveney confirmed the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier was prepared to extend the 21-month transition period after Britain leaves the bloc to allow time to negotiate an alternative arrangement.

“What Michel Barnier has indicated very clearly is that the EU side, certainly, is willing to allow more time in the transition period to agree an alternative solution to a backstop,” Mr. Coveney told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

However, there was little enthusiasm for the idea in London, with British Government sources insisting Downing Street was not looking for an extension to transition arrangements.
And Mrs May did not respond when asked whether she would welcome an additional year’s transition.

The meeting in Brussels was supposed to be the occasion when the leaders of the EU 27 member states gave the green light for a special summit in November to finalise the terms of Britain’s withdrawal.

However, European Council president Donald Tusk has warned that without new “concrete proposals” from the British to break the logjam over the Irish border backstop, further progress on a deal may be impossible.

In a speech to the German parliament before travelling to Brussels, Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the possibility of a Brexit deal was “still there”, but added that Berlin was making plans for a no-deal withdrawal.

 

And in Paris, Emmanuel Macron’s government published details of legislation to authorise preparations for a no-deal Brexit, which could see the restoration of customs checks and health inspections for animals at French ports, and even a requirement for Britons to seek visas for stays of three months or more.

Ahead of this evening’s meeting, Mrs May was having bilateral meetings with Mr Macron as well as European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, Mr Tusk and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.


Ahead of her visit to Brussels, Mrs May was able to secure the backing of her Cabinet, at least for now, amid reports that some Brexiteer ministers had been prepared to quit if she gave too much ground to Brussels.