Hon. Chukwuma Ogbodo, Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area in Enugu State, has presented a ₦8.2 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the legislative council of the local government.
The proposal, tagged “Budget of Sustainability,” was laid before lawmakers on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Ogbodo said the focus of the 2026 budget is to aggressively pursue projects that align with the development philosophy of the Enugu State Government.
“The preoccupation of the 2026 Budget would therefore be to vigorously pursue projects that are in line with the disruptive innovation of the State Government. We shall judiciously utilize funds in addressing the critical developmental needs of the Local Government Area. This shall be our policy position in 2026,” he said.
The council chairman noted that the budget would fund both legacy and ongoing projects considered critical to the wellbeing of residents, assuring that funds would be prudently managed.
Ogbodo said the 2026 proposal is the second budget his administration has presented since assuming office, adding that several projects were executed in the previous fiscal year.
According to him, these include the facelift and repainting of the council administrative complex, the construction of a double-bungalow office and residential quarters for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Agbani, and improved waste management through the purchase and deployment of waste bins across the council area.
He added that the council constructed toilet and restroom facilities with shops and a solar-powered borehole at Ozalla Four Corners Motor Park, as well as an abattoir with water facilities at Eke Agbani Market.
The chairman also listed multiple water projects executed through borehole drilling in several communities and public institutions, including twelve Green Smart Schools and the General Hospital, Agbani.
On infrastructure, Ogbodo said the council recorded progress in roads, culverts, and bridges, citing the ongoing construction and asphalting of Smart School link roads across the fourteen wards of the local government.
In the health sector, he said counterpart funding was promptly released in 2025 for the construction of Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres in all wards. “All our health projects and programmes across the Local Government were improved upon and sustained,” he said.
Ogbodo disclosed that the agricultural sector also benefited from the development of 200 hectares of land for Smart Farms in Amurri, Akpugo Ward 1, and Akpugo Ward 2, alongside the distribution of fertilisers and other agro-inputs to farmers.
He said the ₦8.2 billion budget prioritises economic services, social services, education, environment, and general administration, with a focus on providing basic amenities such as health, roads, education, power, and agriculture.
The chairman commended Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for his support to the council and for ensuring that local government allocations are released without interference, which he said made the council’s achievements possible.
Speaking on behalf of the legislature, the leader of the council, Emmanuel Onyekachi Nnamani, commended Ogbodo for his developmental initiatives, particularly his emphasis on cleanliness and environmental management.
The budget proposal was moved for acceptance by the majority leader, Felix Chibuike Anih, and seconded by John Okorie.
Other council officials, including the deputy chairman, Samuel Friday Nnam, and the secretary to the local government, Onochie Igwesi, were present at the budget presentation.