Anambra to consolidate ongoing transformative interventions, break new grounds in 2027 – Budget Commissioner

By Our Correspondent

The Anambra State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon Chukwukadibia Okoye, has said that the state’s 2027 budget would consolidate ongoing transformative interventions and break new grounds in vital areas across the state.

In a keynote address at the state’s 2027 budget consultative forum in Awka, Okoye listed infrastructure expansion and urban regeneration, business growth, human capital and services, as well as grassroots economic inclusion, as strategic areas of focus for the next fiscal year.

The Commissioner said that essentially, emphasis would be on accelerating road connectivity, urban renewal, and resilient rural–urban transport corridors that stimulate commerce and trade, as well as expanding support for young entrepreneurs, artisans, and technology innovators, so that enterprise and self-reliance flourish in the state.

Other areas, he added, include raising educational standards, strengthening primary healthcare, and equipping young people with modern technical and digital skills, just as the state would ensure that priority projects of every community find real expression in capital expenditure.

With emphasis on strategic budget planning direction, Okoye said the state is hoping to grow the budget from N25.3 trillion in 2027 to about N34 trillion in 2029.

“Currently, the state is at about N21 .5 trillion. In 2025, the state GDP was about N19 trillion. The state expects 4.9% growth in 2027 to about 5.2% in 2029. In terms of total receipts, including IGR, VAT, capital receipts, we’re hoping to grow the revenue from about N598.8 billion to N734.9 billion in 2029, he said.

He stated that Anambra has not been heavy on borrowing and does not intend to go heavy on borrowing because, according to him, every borrowing must be tied to a developmental initiative.

He said: “Our focus is to increase IGR . Anambra is not doing well on IGR, not because government has not come up with initiatives to drive it, but it is because people do not pay their tax.

” If people do not pay their tax, the IGR of the state will not improve. The message we must go home with is that our citizens must please revive the social contract, which is that people should pay their tax and hold government accountable to use the tax to develop the state.

” It is because we have jettisoned the social contract that the citizens are not driving their involvement and engagement, thereby politicizing everything about governance.

“We are also going to drive high capital investment in infrastructure . The government of Charles Soludo will continue to maintain prudence , maintain debt sustainability and ensure that every kobo counts.”

Addressing the participants, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake said that Anambra operates a budget that is above 70% capital expenditure which, according to her, is about the highest in the country.

“This shows that government is meeting the needs of the people. If the recurrent expenditure is heavy, it means we are only emphasizing on payment of salaries and carrying out other overheads after which there won’t be enough money for development. This government has been development focused and these past few years have shown that we are indeed development minded” Nnake said.

She assured Anambra people that every project slated for implementation will ultimately be executed and urged the people to be patient.

During the meeting, the stakeholders considered what the state has for the year and made inputs on how to do things better.

They identified the priority needs of the state and the communities and decided how to allocate the limited resources.

The forum was attended by major stakeholders, including officials of key ministries, traditional rulers, President’s General of various communities, Civil Society Organizations and people from the private sector.