The just concluded retreat for the 2020 annual/Midyear Budget Performance Review by the Enugu State Ministry of Budget and Planning, from the 25th to 27th August 2021, at the Nike Lake resort have come and gone but the remarkable achievements of budget instruments have glaringly portrayed the administration of Gov. Ugwuanyi as a compendium of wonderful team players.
The budget cycle assessment has carefully explained the implementation processes against the budget projections, the micro and macro economic indicators upon which the projections were hinged.
According to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Executive Governor of Enugu State ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Lolo Cecilia Ezeilo, “Enugu State Government has remained committed to the open government partnership and fulfilment of it’s obligations to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.”
“Enugu State is equally a participant in the World Bank Assisted State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Performance for result programme for Nigeria, aimed at strengthening Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability in each of the participating States.”
The Deputy Governor informed the audience which comprises of Traditional Rulers, Civil Society Organizations, Town Union President Generals, Youth and Women groups, State Exco Members, and Permanent Secretaries, etc. That “the Governor has recently given approval for the whole process of implementing the budget result area on the production of Citizens Accountability Report (CAR) in collaboration with civil society organizations should go on.”
He further directed the organizers of the retreat to particularly aim at reviewing the budget performance with the view to apply the inherent lessons for the sole purpose of achieving excellent performance in the remaining months of the life of the budget.
According to Sir. Remy Odo, the Enugu State Accountant General – the percentage performance of the 2020 Budget stood at 77.6%, whereas the total revenue of the State is One Hundred and One Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety Eight Million, Four Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand , Four Hundred and Seventy Seven Naira , Thirty Four Kobo (101,998,498,477.34) in the same year which represented 87.84% of 116.12 billion naira of the amended revenue budget.
The implementation of the 2021 Midyear Budget saw the sum of N41,158,135,563.90 representing 53.16% of 77.42 bn that was generated by the State.
On the Expenditure side, out of the N84.92 bn for the period under review (January to June 2021), the State released expenditure warrants (cash backed) worth N40.36 bn representing 47.52% as revealed by the Accountant General.
The host of the retreat and commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Dr. David O. Ugwunta stated that the review which is heralding the beginning of the 2022 budget is important because the outcome will assist to guide the preparation of the 2022-2024 Medium Term Budget, providing the Government the opportunity to consult relevant stakeholders and be able to gather inputs into the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Forecast.
THE BUDGET PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS, FACTS WITH FIGURES:
The commissioner for Budget and Planning narrated that in the year 2020, over three hundred and fourty (340) capital projects were either completed or started across the three Senatorial Zones of the State, which stood at N45,177,307,490.57 representing 58.99% of the 2020 revised capital size of N76,584,641,080 budget.
Key Highlights Of The Achievements Of The 2020 Budget Is As Follows:
(1) payment of the thirty thousand naira minimum wage to Enugu State Government workers.
(2) Development of new ESUT Teaching Hospital Complex, Igbo-Eno in earnest. Currently, the construction of 2 nos 10-classroom Faculty buildings; 2 nos 8-classroom Faculty buildings for the ESUT College of Medicine as well as Industrial Water Borehole projects on-going.
(3) Renovation and Equipping of Isolation and Treatment Centres in Nsukka, ESUT Teaching Hospital Parklane Enugu as well as Equipping the Ultra-Modern Enugu State Medical and Diagnostic Centre which was re-purposed as an isolation and treatment centre for COVID-19.
(4) Designation of Former Colliery Hospital Enugu as Enugu State Infectious Disease Hospital Followed by its Redesigning, Reconstruction, Construction and Equipping with new structures in the complex. Fully completed and on the verge of commencement of service delivery.
(5) Seven (7) new Model Type III Primary Healthcare Facilities in Nkanu East, Igbo-Etiti, Igboeze South, Isi-Uzo, Udenu, Ezeagu and Uzo-uwani LGAs at various stages of commencement of service delivery.
(6) Concrete Asphalting of 49klm of selected RAMP phase 1 roads fully completed. It is on record that Enugu State under Governor Ugwuanyi is the only State out of Four (4) RAMP participating States in the whole federation that have Asphalted any part of their RAMP roads.
(7) Construction of the outstanding 6klm of the virgin 13klm Nike Lake Junction-Harmony Estate-Amorji Nike-Adoration Pilgrimage centre roads was also completed with side drainages, five (5) River crossings and Bridges.
(8) Renovation and upgrading of Nike Lake Resort in consonance with modern trends to consolidate it’s leading role as a Tourist and relaxation centre of repute.
(9) Development of the UNITY PARK ENUGU (Conservation Park) at the prime Forest Reserve located at the East of the Michael Okpara Square within the three Arms Zone. Well illuminated with over 400 lights of both solar, generator and national grid energy sources.
(10) Commencement of the construction of an office building covering 3500 square meters floor area within Enugu State House of Assembly Complex located in the Three Arms Zone, independence layout, Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State.
(11) Extensive renovation of the Enugu State Judiciary Headquarters Complex and completion of thirty four (34) Customary Court buildings across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State.
(12) Construction of MOPOL 76 police mobile force squadron Facility, for the Nigeria Police along Ugwuogo Nike/Opi Nsukka road by Ekwegbe in Igbo-Etiti local government area, already at an advanced stage.
(13) Farm inputs ( rice seeds, farro 44 long grain, improved cassava Stems Tm 419, fertilizer and pesticides) have been distributed to 2000 farmers across the 17 local government areas of the state to boost dry season farming.
(14) State Government use of Agriculture through the instrumentality of the Enugu State Agro- processing, productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS GRANT) project to Empower and improve the livelihood of over 1685 Youths and women of Enugu State including the physically challenged.
(15) Enugu State have Constructed, reconstructed and renovated 339 classrooms and toilets, providing 1595 fully equipped classrooms, provided 33621 lockers, Desks and chairs for pupils and teachers. Distribution of 54,545 books and instructional materials to all primary and secondary schools in Enugu State.
(16) Massive construction and reconstruction of classroom buildings, offices and Hostels in Secondary schools of Enugu State including the reconstruction of 122 classroom blocks across the six Education zones in Enugu State and construction of 1,400 bed capacity Hostels at Girls secondary school, Owerreze-Orba in Udenu local government area, Enugu State. Four (4) Solar powered Boreholes were also constructed in some secondary schools in the State.
(17) Enugu State Government signed a fifty million dollars ($50,000 000) Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA) with the Federal Ministry of Finance in respect of AFD- funded 3rd National Urban Water Sector Reform Project (3rd NUWSRP) in December 2018. This project is planned to develop the water supply infrastructure in the capital city (Enugu) in order to supply more households and improve the water supply service delivery to the people of Enugu as well as improve the financial viability and performance of the Enugu State water corporation
(18) Enugu State Government has keyed into the Partnership for Expanded Water Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH), a world Bank supported project to reduce the problem of water scarcity in the rural areas and consequently combat water born diseases.
(19) Several Solar powered and direct current water Boreholes have been completed and put to use across the State.
(20) Enugu State have completed the construction and Equipping of two (2) new Tech Hubs and Youth innovation centres in Enugu urban and Obollo Afor which have since taken off in earnest.
(21) The Enugu State SME centre, in Partnership with the Federal Government has provided over six thousand (6,000) micro, small and medium enterprises in the State with Free Business registrations with the corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) under the survival fund programme in the year 2020.
(22) It will be recalled that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport which was shut down on August 24th 2019 due to urgent safety safety and infrastructural concerns, was opened on the 30th August 2020. The Enugu State Government in addressing the safety needs of the Airport, completed the removal of all encroachments on the Airport facility, removed and relocated the Orie Emene Market and commenced the construction of a 1.3 klm asphalt road to the Very High Frequency Omni Directional Radio Range/ Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation facility at Emene. Enugu State Government also provided finance for the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing toilet facilities in the Airport’s terminal building among others.
Quite honestly, from the foregoing. This is a pass mark for the Budget and Planning ministry of Enugu State Government, in view of the viral negative effects of current global economic challenges pervading the country. This is because according to the projected expectations, the Enugu State Government 2020 budget year excelled in it’s revenue and expenditure targets.
According to Dr Ugwunta, “the recurrent and capital receipts (revenue) stood at 88.64% which is 11.36% less than the 100% revenue performance; whereas expenditure, both recurrent and capital recorded 77.06 which is 22.94% less than 100% of the said budget implementation and 8% less than the 85% budget implementation target in the 2020 fiscal objective”
In the similar vein, by the Midyear of 2021, Dr Ugwunta stated that about 126 capital projects are on-going across the State and that the figures is expected to rise in a tremendous manner before the end of the budget cycle.
The on-going projects as enumerated by the Honourable Commissioner include but not limited to the following:
(1) Construction of flyover bridge and underpass at T-junction Nike Lake Road/Abakpa, Enugu East Local Government Area. Enugu State.
(2) Construction of pilot Water well at The UNITY PARK, Enugu.
(3) Construction of internal and access road networks at Golf Estate Annex Ngwuagu Amaezike, Abor UDI LGA Enugu State.
(4) Road maintenance and repair of potholes in Enugu metropolis.
(5) Construction of Ogodo-Okpu Orba road, Udenu local government area. Enugu state.
(6) Additional Works at Zonal secretariat, Nsukka satellite Town (phase 1- Block A), Nsukka local government area, Enugu State. Procurement of two (2) 20,000 capacity surface Tanks, Dispensing pumps and installation for the secretariat annex, Nsukka. These are to enable operationalization and occupation of the new secretariat.
(7) Construction of Three (3) floors Students Hostel Buildings at the Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Enugu North Local Government area, Enugu State.
(8) Installation of single arm Solar powered Street lights at the High and Magistrate Courts Nsukka, Enugu State Infectious Disease Hospital, Enugu and the Access road to the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Igbo-Eno
(9) Construction of staff clinic and transit camp for the Department of State service, Enugu State command.
(10) Construction and installation of industrial Borehole at Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Igbo-Eno Campus.
(11) Rehabilitation/Construction of Nkeore Close, Independence layout, Enugu.
(12) Construction of Nsukka Conference center, Nsukka local Government area, Enugu state.
(13) Construction of access road into new Enugu (phase 1)
(14) Construction of Ama Akpaka-leeke -Obinagu- Ogbodu- Ohwashi road with spur to Ama Akpaka, Orba Udenu local government area. Enugu State
(15) Construction of Ogodo-Okpu Orba road, Udenu local Government Area, Enugu State.
(16) Construction of Enugu State Multi-Door Court House Building at the Ministry of Justice premises Independence layout, Enugu North local government area, Enugu State.
(17) Rebuilding of the burnt mosques, primary school Block within the mosque premises and perimeter fence at the premises in Nsukka local Government Area, Enugu State.
(18) Construction of 1 nos 8-classroom Building for the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Igbo-Eno campus, Enugu State.
(19) Equipping of Dormitory, Refectory and provision of sporting facilities and installation of Solar lights at Girls Secondary school, Owereze-Ezeora, Udenu. Enugu State.
(20) Construction of 1.125km access road to Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) VOR/DME at Emene, Enugu East local government area, Enugu State
(21) Construction of 1 nos 8 Classroom Building for the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital igbo-Eno campus Enugu State
(22) Construction of 1 nos 10 Classroom Building for the Faculty of Dentistry, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital Igbo-Eno Campus Enugu State
(23) Construction of 1 nos 120 Bedroom Hostels at Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital Igbo- Eno campus Enugu State.
(24) Construction of 1 nos 10 Classroom Building for the Faculty of Health Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Igbo-Eno Campus.
(25) Construction of 1 No 12 Classroom Building for the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Igbo-Eno Campus Enugu State.
(26) Construction of 1 nos 12 Classroom Building for the College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Igbo-Eno Campus Enugu State.
(27) Renovation of one Bungalow building within the premises of State Forestry Commission for the skill acquisition programme of the ministry of labour and productivity.
(28) Construction of Umuokere-Igugu Agu Mgbugbo-Ugbene Umundu road phase 1, Udenu local government area, Enugu State.
(29) Construction of Amokwe road, starting from Udi Station, through Ibuzo Amokwe to Amokwe Station road (phase III) Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State.
(30) Rehabilitation/ Construction of Ekulumili street,New Haven, Enugu North local Government Area, Enugu State.
(31) Construction of Aruotoma Ortuanya road, Ohodo Igbo-Etiti local government area Enugu State.
(32) Installation of Sixty (60) nos Solar street lights at Aruotoma Ortuanya road, Ohodo Igbo-Etiti local Government Area, Enugu State.
(33) Construction of Amufia road (including local government roundabout) Japan road- Umuida road (up to the Umuida Junction) Igboeze North local government area Enugu State.
(34) Construction of Umuokere-Igugu Agu Mgbugbo- Ugbene- Umundu road phase 1, Udenu local government area Enugu State.
(35) Construction and installation of Astroturf and Tracks, floodlighting and associated works at Nsukka Stadium, phase II, Nsukka local government area Enugu State.
(36) Reconstruction of Awkunanaw street Etudo-Achara layout, Enugu South local government area Enugu State
(37) Construction of Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital Igbo-Eno
(38) Construction of 1 nos 120 Bedroom Hostel A at the College of medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital Igbo-Eno campus, Enugu State.
(39) Construction of 1 nos 120 Bedroom Hostel B at College of medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital Igbo-Eno campus Enugu State.
(40) Rehabilitation of section of Obollo Afor Junction- Enugu Ezike road, CHO+000-CHI+634, Udenu local government area, Enugu State.
(41) Equipping and compound flooring of ifemelumma Health Center, Obodoakpu, Agbogugu, Awgu North State constituency, equipping of Health Center at Isiama Mbu Amon: Upgrading of Health Center at Nkwo Ugbaike, Igboeze North local government area, all in Enugu State
(42) Construction of Tennis Lawn at Ogrute, Enugu Ezike, Igboeze North local government area, Enugu State.
(43) Supply and Installation of 100 units of 200 litres Eagle Solar powered Refrigerators and Freezers to various Health Centres in Enugu State.
(44) Production of two hundred (200) units of Ultra-Modern automated hand washing machine and hand sanitizer by the Institute Of Management And Technology (IMT) Enugu.
(45) Construction of two (2) Boreholes in Ndi-agu Uwani autonomous community, Enugu State.
(46) Financial Assistance to the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, to upgrade their moot court with the following:
(i) installation of
10KVA inverter with batteries
(ii) Ceiling works
(iii) New partitioning of Judge’s office, secretary’s office and cloak rooms for male and female.
(iv) Replacement of gallery chairs
(v) Furnishing of offices
(47) Reconstruction of Iwolo police station, Ezeagu burnt down by hoodlums.
(48) Medium Voltage Distribution of electricity at Owerre Okpu, Amadim,Ujobo Umunta/Umunkpume and Anyazume Orba,Udenu local government area Enugu State.
(49) Extension of Electricity to Umuokpara and Amalla Orba, Udenu local government area Enugu State.
(50) Construction of thirty two (32) Bus Shelters ( Dec 2020 batch) in Enugu metropolis .
(51) Construction of twenty Three (23) Bus Shelters ( January 2021 batch) in Enugu metropolis.
(52) Construction of Administrative complex at the Enugu State House Of Assembly, Independence layout, Enugu North local government area Enugu State.
(53) procurement of 2 nos Dengfeng (DFL1120B KD2E 010 0221) Diesel Engine, two seaters water tankers ( Water Tenders) 10,000 litres capacity water tanker for the Enugu State Fire Service.
(54) Development of Warrant and vote Book modules integrated with existing state financial management information system.
(55) Establishment of Training school at the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service Headquarters, Enugu.
(56) Cottage Hospitals with Isolation wings at various stages of completion in Awgu,Enugu Ezike, Udenu and Oji River local government areas of Enugu State.
(57) 9th Mile Crash water programme.
(58) Completion of the construction of the Court Appeal, GRA, Enugu.
Dr. Ugwunta strongly believe that the performance of the recurrent revenue is encouraging and hoped that the remaining part of 2021 will definitely throw up more positive results.
While on the Expenditure, he submitted; “the performance of recurrent stood at 19.15% resulting in in a total expenditure performance of 47.52% against the Midyear budget”
The commissioner went ahead to state that the ” 2021 Midyear performance arrived at, is by the availability of funds to execute programmes and projects,” “As we expect to have more funds in the later part of the year, during which more capital projects will be embarked upon especially with exit of the rains within the remaining months of the year 2021. This will surely enable us to achieve our implementation target of 85% budget execution in 2021.” He stated.
