By Omoruyi Patricia Osayomore
A well-structured financial budget is often regarded as a critical factor in achieving success for any developmental agenda. Reflecting this principle, the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has dedicated ₦166.5 billion to roads and agriculture in the recently unveiled Edo State 2025 Appropriation Budget.
The budget, aptly titled “Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo,” demonstrates the administration’s focus on key sectors critical to the state’s growth. Of the allocated sum, ₦162 billion is earmarked for road construction and maintenance. This substantial investment aims to address the state’s infrastructural challenges by ensuring improved road networks, facilitating easier transportation, boosting economic activities, and reducing travel time for residents and businesses alike.
Meanwhile, ₦4.5 billion has been set aside for the agriculture sector, emphasizing the governor’s commitment to food security and agricultural development. The allocation is expected to support initiatives such as modern farming techniques, mechanized agriculture and programs to empower farmers, thereby enhancing productivity and contributing to the state’s self-sufficiency in food production.
These allocations are in line with the governor’s five-point agenda, which he outlined during his inaugural speech. Central to this vision is the transformation of Edo State into a hub of sustainable development, where infrastructural excellence and agricultural prosperity drive economic growth.
By prioritizing roads and agriculture, among other key areas, the administration seeks to create a state where citizens can thrive, with reliable infrastructure and abundance of food resources.
This focused approach is expected to contribute significantly to realizing the envisioned “Rising Edo,” fostering a more prosperous and resilient state for all its residents.