The Imo State House of Assembly has passed the 2026 Appropriation Bill presented by Governor Hope Uzodimma into law, approving a total budget estimate of N1,409,514,914,710.04 for the 2026 fiscal year.
The budget was passed on the floor of the House after lawmakers accorded it accelerated consideration, citing the need to fast-track governance and service delivery across the state.
Leading the debate during the second reading of the bill, the Majority Leader, Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West), said the Assembly had a responsibility to support policies that would enhance development in Imo State. He described Governor Uzodimma as committed to the welfare of the people and urged lawmakers to reciprocate by ensuring swift legislative backing.
According to Onyemaechi, prompt passage of the budget would enable the executive arm to implement projects without delay and sustain the delivery of developmental programmes across the state.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Budget and Appropriation, Hon. Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre), said the 10th Imo State Assembly was determined to strengthen collaboration with the executive arm to promote good governance. He noted that the legislature would continue to play its role in ensuring transparency and accountability in the implementation of the budget.
Ojukwu commended the governor for allocating 83 per cent of the budget to capital and recurrent expenditure, describing the move as historic. He also praised the allocation of over N13 billion to the agriculture sector, expressing confidence that the investment would position Imo State as a major food-producing hub in the South-East.
Similarly, Hon. Okechukwu Udeze (Ideato North) said the governor had lived up to the expectations of Imo residents, particularly in safeguarding lives and property. He stated that the administration’s “3-R agenda” had repositioned the state for sustainable development.
According to Udeze, the passage of the appropriation bill signified the Assembly’s confidence in the governor’s leadership and provided the legal backing needed to implement more development projects across the state.
The budget was passed following its second reading and subsequent consideration by the House. It now awaits assent by Governor Hope Uzodimma to become operational.