The Delta State Government has reduced its legacy debt from N463 billion to N63 billion and plans to clear the outstanding balance by the first quarter of 2027, the state’s Commissioner for Economic Planning, Sonny Ekedayen, has said.

Ekedayen announced the reduction on Friday in Asaba at the state’s 2026 budget stakeholders’ engagement, describing it as a reflection of the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration’s commitment to prudent financial management and responsible utilisation of public resources.

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He added that roads and other critical infrastructure would be given priority in the 2027 budget to stimulate economic growth and improve access to communities across the state.

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According to the commissioner, roughly 70 per cent of the current expenditure structure goes to capital projects while 30 per cent is devoted to recurrent expenditure. The proposed 2027 budget, he said, would maintain the emphasis on capital spending while keeping a smaller allocation for recurrent costs.

The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, stressed the importance of citizens’ participation in budget preparation and commended the government for its reported budget performance.

Civil society organisations at the engagement also welcomed plans by the Delta House of Assembly to introduce legislation regulating housing issues. Residents were urged to protect public facilities and maintain environmental cleanliness to complement government infrastructure investments.

Odugala said, “Government cannot continue to build infrastructure, then citizens begin to destroy them”. He commended the government for introducing the 13th-month salary, describing it as a significant milestone.