By Uche Okobi
Executive chairman of Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Isaiah Onoriode Esiovwa has presented a budget of N19,372,791,858.76 for the 2026 fiscal year.
The over N19bn budget, tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Development,” he said, is aimed at consolidating on the gains of the recent past, while accelerating sustainable development that touches the lives of all citizens in Okpe LGA.
During the budget presentation to the legislative arm of the council recently at the Okpe Local Government Area legislative chambers in Orerokpe, Delta State, Hon. Esiovwa said: “This budget is tagged ‘Budget of Consolidation and Development’ because it is aimed at consolidating on previous achievements as well as the implementation of newly identified projects as they affect sports development, healthcare, education, economic agricultural empowerment, water resources and rural development, environment and agriculture, among others.
“These achievements were possible because of the cooperation of this honourable House and the resilience of our people. The 2026 budget is, therefore, a bridge consolidating what we started and scaling up development where it matters most.”
He stressed that, in the period under review, the council witnessed the execution and completion of many laudable projects, just as there are many ongoing infrastructural works across the local government.
The Council boss, who is also the national organising secretary and Delta State chapter chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), said, “we will focus greatly on human capital development to enable our people to fit into the present technological development of the larger society.”
He called for the cooperation of the council’s legislature to engender peace in their respective wards as well as to assist the government to effectively key into the M.O.R.E. agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, to ensure sustainable economic and social development of Okpe LGA.
He prayed for the quick passage of the budget, even as he commended the leader and members of Okpe legislative arm for their unflinching support since the beginning of his second term in office. The state ALGON chair also noted that his administration will not hesitate to embark on any project that will be of tremendous and immediate benefit to the people of the local government area.
He said the budget, which is slightly higher than the 2025 estimate with 2.2 percent increase, was based on revenue projection from the federal government, internal revenue, statutory VAT share, other FAAC allocations, state allocation as well as aids and grants,
In their response, the councillors expressed their satisfaction with the successes recorded by the Esiovwa-led administration and promised to always support him and give the budget speedy passage.
Those present at the budget presentation include Chief Isaiah Onoriode Esiovwa, executive chairman Okpe LGA, Mrs. Mary Otikiri, vice-chairman, Victor Efurhievwe, Secretary, Mrs. Grace Christmas, Mrs. Elohor Ako, Comrade Endurance Odebala, NULGE chairman, Caleb Ejirieme Afoh, leader, Okpe Legislative Arm, Daniel Akpor Erumeji, supervisory councillor for finance, councillors, supervisors, HODs and staffers, among others.
In another sordid revelation, the jurist disclosed that an approximate population of 20 million Nigerian children are out of school even as the country continue to grapple with physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as genital mutilation.
Other dignitaries at the event who presented their goodwill messages were the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem; Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission; Prof. Dakas C.J. Dakas (SAN), who was represented by Dr. U.E. Okorocha; the UNICEF Child Protection Officer, Mona Alika, the Estu Kwali, HRH Luka Ayodoo among others.
