The Delta State government is targeting N306 billion budget size for year 2021 fiscal year as the state’s Executive Council (exco), at its virtual meeting on Wednesday, approved the revised 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP).
The meeting which was presided over by the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, gave a nod to a projection of N306.44 billion budget size for the 2021 fiscal year.
State’s commissioner for information, Charles Aniagwu, made the disclosure while addressing select journalists in Asaba.
Aniagwu listed other projections in the budget to include $40 per barrel oil benchmark, oil production volume of 1.86 million barrel per day, inflation rate of 11.9 percent, projected gross domestic growth rate of 3 percent, and official exchange rate of N360 to the dollar.
The document, which is also referred to as the Economic and Fiscal Update, Fiscal Framework and Budget Policy Statement (EFU-FF-BPS), fulfils the requirements of the Fiscal Responsibility Law (2020) as amended, he said.
“In line with international best practice and the desire of the state government to ensure appropriate financial management and resource allocation, the 2021-2023 MTEF/FSP document is the sixth rolling edition in the series,” Aniagwu said.
“The document is the basis for the preparation of the 2021 budget and having been approved and adopted, it will be processed to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval and for application in the preparation of the 2021 revenue and expenditure budget estimates of the state,” he said.
He explained that the production of the MTEF/FSP (Economic and Fiscal Update, Fiscal Framework and Budget Policy Statement) marks the first step in the budget preparation cycle.
The council also approved N40 billion for the construction of Ogheye Ultra Modern Concrete Floating Market project in Warri North Local Government Area of the state, Aniagwu said.
He disclosed that the approval for the construction of the floating market was part of the state government’s commitment to the growth of commerce in the riverine areas of the state.
Speaking further, the information commissioner said the State Executive Council approved N809 million as counterpart fund for projects being handled by UNESCO and other global agencies, adding that N600 million was also approved as counterpart fund for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) projects.
He said that payment of counterpart funds would enable the state to access more funds, just as the state took advantage of counterpart funds from UBEC to revamp most primary and secondary schools in the state.
Aniagwu further said Exco also approved the appointment of consultants to look at what the state is getting as 13 percent derivation with a view to reconciling probable shortfall from the federation account.
He said the decision to probe into the proceeds of oil derivation was part of measures to revive the state economy following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There are instances where the Federal Government would say that they are paying subsidies. On such occasions, if the total amount is N100.00, for instance, and the government pays N40.00 for subsidies, they will now base the 13 percent derivation on N60.00 instead of the initial N100.00.
“This is what we want to reconcile, hence we are engaging the services of the consultants. If at the end of the day, nothing is discovered, the consultants will not be paid but if anything is realised, we will apply for refunds, and the consultants will be entitled to 11.5 percent,” he said.
