Protocol
Mr. Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, The Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim; The Chief Judge of Anambra State; Principal Officers and Honourable Members of the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly; Members of the State Executive Council; Former Members of the Anambra State House of Assembly; The Clergy and Religious Leaders present; The Management and Legislative Staff of the Parliament; Leadership of the Organized Private Sector/Captains of Industries Representatives of Civil Society Organizations; Distinguished Invited Guests; Members of the Press;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is with immense pleasure and a profound sense of legislative duty that I
welcome Mr. Governor Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, and his
distinguished entourage to this hallowed chamber today. We gather for a sacred
democratic ritual—the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill—a pivotal
moment that shapes the trajectory of our beloved state.
Budgets are not mere compilations of figures and allocations; they are strategic
roadmaps that chart our collective destiny. They embody our priorities, mirror our aspirations, and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to improving the lives of Ndi Anambra.
Today’s presentation represents a renewal of the State Government’s social
contract with the people who have entrusted us with their mandate.
ACKNOWLEDGING PROGRESS
Mr. Governor, over the past three and a half years, Anambra State has experienced unprecedented transformation under your visionary leadership. The Solution Agenda has transcended rhetoric to become a tangible reality across our 21 local
government areas. From economic revitalization to substantial investments in critical social sectors, from progressive governance reforms to environmental
sustainability initiatives, the evidence of progress is undeniable.
We commend your administration’s strategic focus on education, with the
recruitment of over 8,000 teachers and the establishment of SMART schools that
are preparing our children for a technology-driven future. Your investment in healthcare infrastructure with 5 New General Hospitals including the free
antenatal and delivery services that have benefited thousands of mothers,
demonstrates a government that truly cares about its people.
The “One Youth, Two Skills” initiative deserves special commendation. By
equipping our young people with practical, market-relevant skills, you are
transforming them from job seekers into job creators and entrepreneurs—a
paradigm shift that will yield dividends for generations to come. Your commitment to agricultural development as a pathway to economic growth and food security aligns perfectly with our state’s potential. We encourage continued investments and innovations in this vital sector to unlock its full capacity for wealth creation and employment generation.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND URBAN TRANSFORMATION
The ongoing massive road construction and rehabilitation projects across the
state focusing on opening rural areas and connecting them to commercial hubs of
the State are well commended. These infrastructure milestones include over
400KMs of road completed in 3 and half years, and another 400km under
construction. These rural and urban roads—are literally paving the way for
accelerated development. These projects are not just about asphalt and concrete;
they represent economic arteries that connect our communities to opportunities
and markets.
Your urban renewal initiatives, particularly the transformation of Okpoko from one
of the largest urban slum in Nigeria to a mega city (New Haven) and the ambitious
plans for new eco-cities; The Ekwulobia cluster, Awka 2.0, The New Niger City and
Nnewi, demonstrate a forward-looking approach to sustainable urbanization that
positions Anambra as a 21st-century economic hub.
We applaud your all round development of the state; health, infrastructural
development, education, power, water and land administration amongst others.
We urge you to consolidate on your land administration reforms without which the
two new cities you are planning would not be successful. We cannot afford the
mistake of the past in our land administration even as we look forward with excitement to the new cities you have promised us. That is part of the African-Dubai-Taiwan initiative.
SECURITY AND RULE OF LAW
The relative peace and security we now enjoy did not happen by accident. Your
administration’s intelligence-led approach to security, the effective
implementation of the Homeland Security Law, and the collaboration between
state Agunechemba and federal security through the operation Udogachi have
yielded measurable results. However, we must remain vigilant and continue to
adapt our strategies to emerging challenges.
Mr. Governor, we must commend your administration’s remarkable achievements in street lighting across our major highways and urban centers. The
transformation is evident and has significantly enhanced both security and
nighttime economic activities. As we often say, ‘light is a mild form of security,’
and your investments have proven this maxim true. We encourage the continuation and expansion of this laudable initiative to reach more secondary roads, residential areas, and rural communities, ensuring that every corner of Anambra enjoys the safety and prosperity that illumination brings.
We also urge continued attention to environmental security, particularly for
communities vulnerable to flooding and erosion. Their safety and prosperity are
integral to our collective wellbeing.
COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE
Mr. Governor, this legislature deeply appreciates your commitment to
collaborative governance. Your openness to legislative oversight, your
responsiveness to our resolutions, and your respect for the principle of separation of powers have strengthened our democracy and enhanced policy effectiveness. This partnership has been instrumental in translating vision into tangible outcomes for our people.
DEMOCRATIC MANDATE REAFFIRMED
The recent gubernatorial election, in which the good people of Anambra
overwhelmingly renewed your mandate across all 21 local government areas,
speaks volumes about their satisfaction with your leadership and their confidence
in your vision for the next four years. We congratulate you once again on this
historic electoral victory and assure you of this legislature’s continued support in
delivering democratic dividends to our people.
FISCAL PERFORMANCE AND THE 2025 BUDGET
Mr. Governor, it is important that we reflect on the performance of the 2025
Appropriation Act—the “Changing Gears 2.0” budget of N606.99 billion, which this
Honourable House passed on December 19, 2024. That budget represented a
bold 48% increase over the 2024 appropriation and demonstrated your
administration’s commitment to accelerating development through substantial capital investments.
We are pleased to note the impressive implementation rate of the 2025 budget.
The measurable outcomes across sectors—from the ongoing road projects to the completion of new general hospitals, from the expansion of SMART schools to the successful rollout of youth empowerment programs—attest to your
administration’s fiscal discipline and execution capacity. The 77% capital
allocation has translated into visible infrastructure across our state, proving that budgets are not merely policy documents but instruments of transformation when properly executed.
However, Mr. Governor, as we receive the 2026 budget proposal today, we must
emphasize that this appropriation carries particular significance. This budget will
set the tone for your second tenure and will largely determine the legacy of the
Soludo administration. It is the foundation upon which the next four years will be
built. The expectations of Ndi Anambra are high, and rightly so, given the renewed
mandate they have bestowed upon you. This budget must therefore be bold,
strategic, and implementable—a document that not only continues the momentum of the first tenure but accelerates it.
Furthermore, this Honourable House recently approved the 2026-2028 Medium
Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which provides the strategic context for
today’s budget presentation. The MTEF sets ambitious yet achievable targets for
the next three years, and we believe that with the political will, institutional
capacity, and collaborative governance that have characterized your
administration, these targets are entirely within reach.
Importantly, the MTEF sets clear targets for fiscal discipline and sustainability. It
commits the government to managing debt responsibly, reducing wastage and
leakages in public expenditure, enhancing accountability in Ministries,
Departments and Agencies, and ensuring that every capital project yields tangible,
measurable results. These are principles that this legislature fully endorses and
will vigilantly monitor.
LOOKING AHEAD
As we receive the 2026 Appropriation Bill before us today, we do so with the
consciousness that this budget must build upon the solid foundation already laid while addressing emerging challenges and opportunities. We anticipate proposals that will accelerate economic transformation, deepen social inclusion, enhance infrastructure development, and position Anambra as Nigeria’s most livable and
prosperous state.
The 2026 budget, situated within the context of the approved MTEF, represents
the first major policy statement of your second tenure. It must demonstrate
continuity with the achievements of the past three and a half years while signaling
new ambitions and expanded horizons. It must balance fiscal prudence with
developmental audacity. It must reflect both the lessons learned from
implementation challenges and the confidence gained from proven successes.
This Honourable House pledges to give the 2026 budget proposal the thorough,
objective, and expeditious consideration it deserves. We shall exercise our
constitutional responsibility of appropriation with diligence, ensuring that every naira allocated translates into measurable value for our citizens. We shall scrutinize the proposals not as adversaries but as partners committed to the same goal—the prosperity and wellbeing of Ndi Anambra.
We encourage all stakeholders—traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, the organized private sector, and indeed all citizens—to actively participate in the governance of the State through constructive engagement and feedback. Governance is a collective responsibility, and together we shall build the Anambra of our dreams.
CONCLUSION
Mr. Governor, this year’s budget is the last budget presentation for your 1st tenure,
as such, the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly stands ready to partner with
your administration in crafting a 2026 budget that reflects our shared
commitment to excellence, accountability, and the prosperity of Ndi Anambra.
This budget will be the compass that guides your second tenure, and we are
confident that it will chart a course toward unprecedented development and transformation.
With these remarks, it is now my distinguished honor and privilege to respectfully invite Mr. Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to this Honourable House. Mr. Governor, the floor is yours.
RT. HON. SIR SOMTOCHUKWU NKEM UDEZE PhD, Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly
