SPEECH BY THE CHAIRMAN OF MBO LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL, HON. SUNDAY ETIM, JP, DURING THE PRESENTATION OF 2026 FISCAL YEAR APPROPRIATION BILL TO MBO LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
PROTOCOL
I warmly welcome you to this presentation of the 2026 Budget of Mbo Local Government Council, laid before the Honourable 8th Legislative Assembly and the good people of Mbo Local Government for your consideration.
Honourable Leader, Distinguished Honourable Councillors of the 8th Legislative Assembly, and esteemed people of Mbo Local Government. The budget proposal before you today represents our commitment to real, inclusive, and sustainable grassroots development for the overall wellbeing of our people. Appropriately tagged “The Budget of Sustainable Grassroots Development,” this budget reflects our vision for a stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous Mbo.
Our policy thrust is designed to stimulate economic growth and accelerate grassroots development. To achieve this objective, we ensured that all projects and programmes captured in this budget emerged directly from the Community Needs Collection Exercise, stakeholder consultations, and inputs from elected councillors who serve as true representatives of the people. Accordingly, the document before you is a genuine reflection of the aspirations and priorities of the people of Mbo. The proposed projects and programmes are carefully structured to address employment generation, wealth creation, and poverty reduction, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
REVIEW OF 2025 PERFORMANCE
In the 2025 fiscal year, our development agenda was anchored on three thematic areas:
Health and Nutrition, Education, Vocational and Life Skills Development and Labour Force Participation.
In pursuit of these goals, we recorded notable achievements, including the renovation of the Mbo Vocational Craft Centre, the recruitment of indigenes of Mbo for vocational training across various trades, and the cultivation of over five hectares of land for mixed cropping of plantain and oil palm seedlings to enhance food security and nutrition.
We also undertook the renovation of the Mbo Sports Stadium, the renovation of the Victor Antai Administrative block, and the payment of furniture allowances to political office holders. These interventions demonstrate our compassion-driven and future-focused approach to governance. Despite prevailing economic challenges, we remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering people-centred governance across all sectors.
PRIORITIES FOR 2026
In the 2026 fiscal year, our focus will be on massive infrastructural development and the strengthening of vocational and life skills training. We shall introduce carpentry and additional skill-based programmes at our vocational centre to better prepare our people for self-reliance and a decent life. Vocational skills training will be extended to more youths, with start-up capital provided to the first set of graduating trainees to enable them to become economically independent.
Furthermore, we shall replicate our agricultural farms across all wards of the Local Government to encourage public participation, generate employment, promote entrepreneurial skills, create wealth, and reduce poverty across our communities.
REVIEW OF THE 2025 BUDGET
The 2025 Budget was developed within the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (2025–2027), enabling proactive resource planning and minimising short-term budgetary decisions.
The total budget size for 2025 was Six Billion, Five Hundred and Thirty-Two Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (₦6,532,300,000). Of this amount, Three Billion, One Hundred and Thirty-Three Million Naira (₦3,133,000,000) was allocated to recurrent expenditure, while Three Billion, Three Hundred and Ninety-Nine Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (₦3,399,300,000) was earmarked for capital expenditure.
However, actual revenue receipts for the first half of 2025 fell short of projections. Between January and June 2025, the Council received One Billion, Eighty-Seven Million, Six Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty Naira, Twenty-Seven Kobo (₦1,087,645,380.27).
Consequently, projected Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) declined from Two Hundred and Twenty-Four Million Naira (₦224,000,000) in 2025 to Sixty-Seven Million, Eight-Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦67,810,000) in 2026.
THE 2026 BUDGET ESTIMATES
The total budget estimate for the 2026 fiscal year is Thirteen Billion, Five Hundred and Fifty-Two Million, Five Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Fifty-Four Naira (₦13,552,519,054).
Of this amount, Seven Billion, Eight Hundred and Forty-Five Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (₦7,845,300,000), representing 58%, is allocated to capital expenditure, while Five Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty-Seven Million, Two Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Fifty-Four Naira (₦5,567,219,054), representing 42%, is allocated to recurrent expenditure.
SECTORAL ANALYSIS OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
Out of the total capital budget of Seven Billion, Eight-Hundred and Forty-Five Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (₦7,845,300,000), the allocations are as follows:
Social Services Sector
Education: ₦2,861,514,358.00
Health: ₦1,055,876,694.00
Other Social Services: ₦137,553,780.00
Thus, the social services sector accounts for a total of Four Billion, Fifty-Four Million, Nine Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand, Eight-Hundred and Thirty-Two Naira (₦4,054,944,832), representing 51% of the total capital budget.
Economic and Infrastructural Sector
The economic and infrastructural sector is allocated Two Billion, Three-Hundred and Eleven Million, Five-Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty-One Naira (₦2,311,547,441.00), representing 29% of the capital expenditure.
CONCLUSION
The successful implementation of this budget can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace, stability, and mutual cooperation among all stakeholders. Our administration remains committed to prioritising programmes that deliver long-term and sustainable benefits to the various communities within Mbo Local Government Area.
Accordingly, Honourable Leader and distinguished Members of the 8th Legislative Assembly, I hereby present the 2026 Budget for your consideration. The timely passage of this budget will enable us to respond effectively to the needs and aspirations of our people.
Once again, I thank you for your attention and continued cooperation.
HON. SUNDAY ETIM, JP.
Chairman
Mbo Local Government Council