Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the Delta State government have begun their defence of 2022 budget proposals.
The budget defence holds at the Delta State House of Assembly Complex in Asaba, the state capital.
The exercise is being handled by the various standing committees of the House.
Day one of the budget defence session saw officials of the state Ministry of Finance and that of Economic Planning led by the Commissioners, appearing before the Hon Erhiateke Ibori-Suenu led Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
The two Commissioners, Chief Fidelis Tilije, Finance and Dr Barry Gbe, Economic Planning, who appeared separately before the Lawmakers, disclosed that the outgoing 2021 financial year witnessed poor budget performance from the various MDAs.
Noting that the situation was a result of the Global Covid 19 pandemic which crumbled economic activities globally, the Commissioners said the impact of the pandemic was severe to the state economy.
Chief Tilije and Dr Gbe told the Lawmakers that with the gradual easing of the challenges of the pandemic, the government is optimistic that the ensuing years, particularly 2022 will witness increased and robust socio-economic and infrastructural development.
The duo explained that prudent management of the scarce resources by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa accounts for the progress made in the 2021 fiscal year.
Chief Tilije and Dr Gbe said the major thrust of the proposed 2022 budget was the completion of the legacy projects and other ongoing projects across the state, hence the allocation of about eighty percent of the capital expenditure funds in that regard.
Speaking in an interview immediately after appearing before the committee, the Finance Commissioner, Chief Fidelix Tilije commended the Dr Ifeanyi Okowa led administration for what he described as its unwavering commitment towards transparent and accountable Governance.
He also, remarked that the sound synergy between the State Legislature and the Executive arm of Government has entrenched robust socio-economic development in the State.
Tilije assured Deltans that with the gradual easing of the dreaded Covid 19 pandemic, the State Government is committed to ensuring that it leaves behind legacy landmarks that he noted are already on the pipeline.
In the same vein, the State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr Barry Gbe said almost all the MDAs recorded unimpressive budget performance in the 2021 fiscal year as a result of the effects of Covid 19 which is not peculiar to Delta State alone.
Dr Gbe stated that in 2022, Deltans should be hopeful as the government is prepared to do better given the fact that the pandemic is gradually easing.
The Commissioner explained that besides expectations from federal revenue allocation, the state would enhance its internal revenue drive.
The Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon Erhiateke Ibori-Suenu commended the Commissioners for their presentations and assured of the commitment of members to the delivery of more dividends of democracy to Deltans.
