Isoko South Chairman Presents N15.5bn Budget for 2026 Fiscal Year

The Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon. (Comrade) Friday Ovoke Warri, has presented a budget proposal of fifteen billion five hundred and sixty-four million naira (N15,564,000,000.00) for the 2026 fiscal year to the local government Legislative Arm for approval.

Presenting the budget Tuesday, Warri stated that the 2026 budget was specifically crafted to foster a conducive environment for sustainable development, building upon the accomplishments of previous years, emphasising that the budget was people-centric, prioritising projects with a direct impact on the populace, particularly those that enhance the social well-being of the Isoko South people.

Giving the breakdown of the budget proposal, Warri explained that “The year 2026 proposed budget shows that the proposed total budget is fifteen billion, five hundred and sixty-four million naira (N15,564,000,000.00) for the year 2026, which is the projected revenue for the year 2026, and it represents a 1.6% increase above the year 2025 approved budget. This is the 2026 budget to be undertaken by this administration, and we have been able to deliver on some of our mandates, which has manifested in the local government being adjudged as one of the best local governments in healthcare awareness and support in the state.

“The proposed budget is expected to be financed from statutory allocations from both federal and state government accounts as well as internally generated revenue, respectively. It is envisaged that the sum of eight billion, six hundred million naira only (N8,600,000,000) of the budget size would be received as an allocation from the federation account, while the sum of five billion, eight hundred million naira (N5,800,000,000) would be received as an allocation from the state government.

“The sum of one billion naira will be on VAT (N1,000,000,000), while one hundred and sixty-four million naira (N164,000,000) will be on internally generated revenue. With eleven billion sixty-nine million seven hundred ninety thousand naira only (N11,069,790,000) as a budget deficit/surplus. Funds allocated for recurrent expenditure, personal and consolidated, are four billion, nine hundred fifty-nine million, two hundred ninety-seven thousand, one hundred eighty-nine naira and eighty-nine kobo (N4,959,297,189.89).

“Capital spending is put at seven billion, eighteen million, nine hundred fifty thousand naira (N7,018,950,000). Overhead cost is put at three billion, three hundred and six million, one hundred and fifty thousand Naira only (N3,306,150,000). The year 2026 budget estimate has an increase of about 1.6% compared to the 2025 budget. The entire summary breakdown and detailed analysis are as contained in the budget document before the legislative arm.” Warri stated.

The council chairman however expressed gratitude to the members of the legislative arm for their unwavering support since inception of the current administration, acknowledging the substantial financial commitments, including a monthly wage bill of approximately N86 million for the local government council and N227 million for 1,221 primary school teachers, which makes Isoko South the largest employer of primary school teachers in Delta State, while reiterating the administration’s commitment to delivering democratic dividends to the grassroots.

Warri, while conveying his trust, expressed his best wishes to the legislative arm for a productive deliberation and expedited approval of the proposed budget.

Receiving the 2026 budget proposal from the council chairman, leader of the Isoko South Legislative Arm, Bright Olokor expressed gratitude to God Almighty the gift of life and commended the chairman’s leadership approach, characterized by an open-door policy and traits that define his governance style, especially his recent release of constituency funds to all the ward councillors, which stood out as among the highest in the state.

Olokor, emphasized that the members of the legislative arm possessed extensive knowledge, considerable experience and diligent enough to consider the welfare of the people at the grassroots level.

The leader of the legislative arm, expressed optimism that the 2026 budget would surpass the achievements of 2025 and passionately appealed for the construction of the access road to the legislative chamber and requested a bus for the lawmakers to facilitate their oversight responsibilities, both of which were promptly approved by the council chairman.

In attendance were the council vice chairman, Theresa Ikrike; the Secretary to the local government, Zino Osuofa; all executive members; members of the legislative arm and heads of various departments, among others.