The sum of N37 billion has been set aside by the Delta State Government for the state’s Oil Producing Area Development Commission in the 2014 Budget.
This was in accordance with the law establishing the commission.
The amount, according to the Governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, represents 50 per cent of projected derivation revenue receipts from oil accruable to the state.
The governor, who warned that the money was solely for the development of the oil producing communities, vowed to keep an eye on the activities of the commission to ensure that the funds disbursed are appropriately utilised and accounted for.
Governor Uduaghan, who x-rayed the 2014 budget, tagged: ‘Budget of Consolidation, Sustainable Economic Growth and Development,’ in Asaba, said he would not rest or until economic uncertainty, unemployment and poverty in the state are tackled.
While he maintained that the commission was last year repositioned to deliver on its mandate, he said the state expects the sum of N62.49 billion from its Internally Generated Revenue this year.
The amount, which he explained, represents 15.96 per cent as against the N61.44 billion estimated for last year, is “marginally higher than the 2013 approved estimates by N1.0 billion.”
He said: “Having taken a deep look on how best to ensure that all revenues due to the state are collected in order to boost the revenue base of government, the state’s Board of Internal Revenue was strengthened to enjoy support from government even as measures were put in place to boost its tax administration machineries and minimize leakages in the system.”
Uduaghan charged Deltans, corporate bodies and other residents of the state to dutifully meet this civic obligation without coercion.
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