By Alex Enebeli
Enugu, Dec. 11, 2025 – The Enugu State Government has earmarked N10 billion in its 2026 budget as the state’s equity contribution to the first phase of a 135.4-kilometre standard gauge rail project.
Mr. Chris-Roberts Ozongwu, Enugu State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, revealed this during a detailed budget briefing at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre on Thursday.
The 2026 budget, christened the “Budget of Renewed Momentum”, was presented by Gov. Mbah on Dec. 2 before the Enugu State House of Assembly. The N1.62 trillion plan marks a 66.5 per cent increase over the revised N971 billion 2025 budget. It comprises N1.3 trillion for Capital Expenditure—about 80 per cent of the total budget—and N321.2 billion for Recurrent Expenditure, accounting for 20 per cent.
Ozongwu explained that the rail project aligns with Gov. Mbah’s vision of a multimodal transport system integrating rail, tram, and inland water services to complement road networks.
“The rail line is designed to extend to neighbouring states to enhance regional connectivity, particularly across the South East,” Ozongwu said.
In addition to rail, the state plans to expand Enugu Air, the state-owned airline, from three to six aircraft by year-end and aims to have a fleet of 20 planes by the close of 2026.
Other key transport investments include a N10 billion equity injection into the Akanu Ibiam International Airport concession, part of Mbah’s ambition to position Enugu as a West African regional aviation and logistics hub.
The government has also allocated N10 billion for a vehicle manufacturing programme that will see 2,100 taxis procured and assembled locally, supporting youth employment and the Distress Response Squad (DRS), the state’s special police unit.
In agriculture, N49 billion has been earmarked for the construction of farm estates across Enugu’s 17 local government areas to boost food production for local consumption and export. Another N27 billion is allocated to establish three Special Agricultural Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), while N7 billion will fund the purchase of tractors and implements to advance mechanized farming.
Ozongwu expressed confidence that the 2026 budget would surpass the performance of the previous year, highlighting that 51.1 per cent of funds are targeted at the economic sector and 40.1 per cent at the social sector, reflecting a commitment to private sector-led growth and human development.
“We achieved about 85 per cent of our targets last year, and we are set to raise that to 90 per cent in 2026. With the right personnel, expertise, and resources, the outlook is promising,” the commissioner said.
The ambitious budget underscores Gov. Mbah’s determination to modernize Enugu’s infrastructure, expand economic opportunities, and drive sustainable development across the state.
Sub Zero ✔
Godwin Okafor is the Publisher & CEO of Naija247news Media Group LLC, an independent investigative news platform delivering accurate, data-driven reporting on Nigerian and global politics, economy, finance, and business. Founded in October 2010, Naija247news specializes in developmental journalism, providing timely insights and analysis to readers across Nigeria and the diaspora.
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