The Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State, Dr. Ibenaku Harford Onoh, has presented the ₦10.8 billion 2026 budget proposal to the Legislative Council of the local government, outlining an ambitious development agenda focused on infrastructure, security and human capital development.
The budget proposal, tagged “Budget of Continued Growth and Consolidation,” was presented on Wednesday during a plenary session attended by councillors, heads of departments and key stakeholders of the council.
Presenting the appropriation bill, Dr. Onoh explained that the 2026 budget was designed to consolidate the achievements recorded in 2025 while scaling up development initiatives across the 13 wards of Enugu North Local Government Area.
According to him, priority areas captured in the budget include road infrastructure, grassroots security, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment and digital governance, in line with the council’s development vision.
The chairman also reviewed the performance of the 2025 budget, noting that the council recorded significant revenue growth and measurable improvements in service delivery during the fiscal year.
He disclosed that the council’s internally generated revenue (IGR) improved by over 100 per cent, attributing the increase to the introduction of digital revenue collection platforms and other fiscal innovations implemented in 2025.
On project delivery, Dr. Onoh said the council successfully executed key infrastructural projects, including the reconstruction of major roads at European Quarters, Hilltop and Coal Camp, Ukwa Street Ihewuishi, alongside other interventions. He added that the council also upgraded its security framework through the reorganisation of the neighbourhood watch into The City Watch.
Speaking on the funding structure of the 2026 budget, the chairman said projected revenue would be sourced from statutory allocation and related transfers, Value Added Tax (VAT), internally generated revenue and counterpart funding through public-private partnerships.
According to him, “On expenditure, recurrent spending is estimated at a portion of the budget, while capital expenditure takes the larger share, with over half allocated to the economic sector. Planned projects include completion of the transport terminals at Aria Market, expansion of solar-powered streetlights, construction and reconstruction of identified urban roads, establishment of two sports centres, healthcare interventions and youth skills programmes.”
Dr. Onoh further stated that the projects, policies and programmes captured in the 2026 budget are strategically designed to complement the development vision of Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah, whom he described as setting a new standard for local government councils in the state.
Reacting to the presentation, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Chizoba Nnamani, assured residents that the budget would be thoroughly scrutinised in the interest of the people and passed in good time.
