Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, momentarily faltered while announcing the ₦605 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year during his presentation to the Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday, a clip that has since garnered widespread attention on social media.
Dubbed the “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo,” the proposal represents a 25% increase from the 2024 budget.
Governor Okpebholo quickly recovered from the slip to deliver key details of the budget, highlighting the state’s dedication to its five-point agenda of security, infrastructure, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education.
The budget allocates ₦223 billion (37%) for recurrent expenditure and ₦381 billion (63%) for capital projects.
A notable feature is the ₦162 billion earmarked for road infrastructure, including the much-anticipated Ramat Park flyover in Benin City, which aims to transform the city’s transport system and ease traffic congestion.
Governor Okpebholo emphasized that the budget reflects thorough consultations and reinforces his administration’s development priorities.