……..the chairman described 2026 as a critical expansion stage for his administration
The Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has proposed a total budget of ₦18.87 billion for the 2026 financial year.
The Chairman of the council, Pastor Beloved Dan Anike, made this known while presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the legislative arm of the local government. He explained that the spending plan prioritises infrastructure development, economic expansion, social services and the strengthening of institutional frameworks.
Tagged “The Budget of Consolidation and Economic Advancement,” the chairman described 2026 as a critical expansion stage for his administration. According to him, while 2025 was largely devoted to stabilising systems and harmonising policies, the new fiscal year would be driven by faster project execution and a stronger governance impact at the community level.
Pastor Anike noted that the proposed estimates represent a substantial increase compared to the 2025 budget and are intentionally structured to promote investment. He disclosed that 78 per cent of the total allocation is dedicated to capital projects, while 22 per cent is set aside for recurrent expenditure, underscoring the council’s focus on development-led spending.
Reviewing achievements recorded in the outgoing year, the chairman highlighted strategic interventions across education, healthcare, youth empowerment and infrastructure. He stated that the council paid WAEC examination fees for about 1,700 students and introduced scholarship programmes for learners at both secondary and tertiary levels.
In the health sector, he revealed that more than 5,000 residents had been enrolled under the Health Insurance Scheme, while three new primary healthcare centres were constructed to complement the 12 Type-2 health facilities currently being developed by the state government. He said these initiatives earned Enugu East recognition from the World Health Organisation and the Grand Champion Award 2025 from the Enugu State Universal Health Coverage Agency.
The chairman further disclosed that over 3,000 young people are presently undergoing vocational and technical training in areas such as ICT, mechanical trades, aviation-related middle-level skills and emerging technologies through partnerships with relevant institutions. He also announced plans to launch the One-Youth-One-Skill Initiative in 2026.
On infrastructure, Pastor Anike listed the construction and rehabilitation of approximately 10.4 kilometres of roads across Emene, Ugwomu, Ifo/Harmony Bypass, Eziama and Ibagwa, in addition to drainage projects, culverts and a mini-bridge. He also announced the opening of new access roads connecting Onyohu–Awhum (10 kilometres) and the Ako–Ugwuomu farm estate corridor (6 kilometres), as well as improved electricity supply through the installation and energisation of 15 transformers in various communities.
Breaking down the 2026 budget, he said the economic sector received the highest allocation of ₦7.52 billion, representing 38.36 per cent of the total, to fund road construction, agriculture, market development, electrification projects, tourism and housing. The social sector was allocated ₦4.45 billion (24.25 per cent) for education, healthcare, youth empowerment, sports, gender inclusion and social protection. The administrative sector received ₦2.05 billion (10.87 per cent) to enhance governance efficiency, digital reforms and staff capacity building, while ₦810 million (4.5 per cent) was set aside for law, justice and security to strengthen surveillance, neighbourhood watch programmes and community safety.
Looking ahead, the chairman said his administration plans to establish women empowerment cooperatives in all wards, introduce interest-free revolving loans for traders and farmers, provide bursaries for about 1,000 undergraduates, fully sponsor at least 100 students studying medicine and other critical disciplines, expand health insurance coverage to 10,000 residents, complete ongoing road projects, develop modern markets and ensure the full operation of the Enugu East Investment Company in 2026.