The Delta State Executive Council (EXCO) has approved key fiscal policy documents paving the way for the preparation of the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill, alongside the construction of 10 new residential quarters for judges across the state.
The approval was granted on Thursday during the council’s meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, at Government House, Asaba.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, said the Council considered and endorsed three critical documents — the Economic Fiscal Update, Fiscal Policy Strategy, and Budget Policy Statement — which form the legal and strategic foundation for the state’s annual budget preparation.
“Before the commencement of any budget process, there must be a set of assumptions, and it is those assumptions that the Executive Council considered and approved today,” Ekedayen explained.
He noted that the documents would be transmitted to the State House of Assembly for legislative approval, enabling the commencement of the 2026 budget process.
According to him, the assumptions for the 2026 fiscal year were aligned with national parameters agreed upon by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to ensure uniformity across states.
“This uniform basis will make it easier to integrate the budgets of sub-national governments into a national framework,” he added.
Ekedayen listed the key macroeconomic assumptions as follows: oil production at 1.7 million barrels per day, exchange rate of ₦1,500 to $1, GDP growth rate of 3.4%, and inflation rate of 23%.
He said these indicators would guide the Ministry of Economic Planning in drafting the 2026 budget, which will subsequently undergo further EXCO and legislative scrutiny.
“Today’s approval signals the beginning of a new budget season for Delta State,” Ekedayen said.
Also addressing journalists, the Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Godknows Angele, announced that the Council approved the construction of 10 new judges’ residential quarters in Asaba, Warri, and Osubi, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare of the judiciary.
“His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, believes in balancing all arms of government — the executive, legislature, and judiciary,” Angele said.
He explained that the first phase of the project would comprise 10 four-bedroom duplexes — five in Asaba and five in Warri/Osubi — designed for comfort, security, and functionality within designated judicial residential clusters.
“This is a completely new construction, not renovation. It is part of the administration’s commitment to ensuring that the judiciary operates in a conducive and secure environment,” Angele added.