Delta State’s 2024 budget performance documents reveal a glaring mismatch between allocations and expenditures. Despite receiving substantial ecological funds and facing repeated flooding crises, the state government spent only N164.3 million on erosion and flood control—far below the N799 million originally budgeted. This revelation has sparked intense scrutiny of the state’s priorities and the effectiveness of its governance.
According to the budget performance document, the state government allocated N799 million for erosion and flood control under the “Preservation of Environment” line item. However, only N11.3 million was spent on these critical initiatives. Similarly, under the “Ministry of Environment Capital Projects,” the state budgeted N153 million for general flood control, which was fully utilized. Another N20 million was earmarked for flood control measures in Oghara, yet nothing was spent in this category. Additionally, N84 million was budgeted for desilting internal drains, but this allocation remained untouched.
These figures paint a troubling picture of mismanagement and inefficiency. While the state received N345 million in ecological funds between February and July 2024, only a fraction of these funds were channeled into addressing the pressing environmental challenges. The remaining funds appear to have been allocated elsewhere or left unspent altogether.
Delta State’s handling of ecological funds has drawn particular attention. Between February and July 2024, the state received monthly disbursements from the National Bureau of Statistics, totaling N345 million. The breakdown shows that the state received N69 million in July, N53.8 million in June, N58.139 million in May, N48.8 million in April, N52.2 million in March, and N63.3 million in February. These funds are meant to address environmental issues, yet the state’s performance indicates a significant gap between intentions and execution.
SERAP, a prominent human rights organization, has previously raised concerns about the misuse of ecological funds. In October 2022, the organization urged then-President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the allocation and utilization of these funds. SERAP highlighted the alarming discrepancy between the funds disbursed and the actual human rights impacts, emphasizing that ecological funds should be used to protect the rights to life and a safe living environment.
The neglect of erosion and flood control efforts is particularly concerning given the devastation wrought by flooding in Delta State. In 2022, flooding claimed three lives and left numerous communities in the Oko area of Oshimili North Local Government Area underwater. Over 20 communities across the state were submerged in October 2024, with Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Isoko North, and Isoko South Local Government Areas bearing the brunt of the damage. Schools, farmlands, and properties were destroyed, and many areas became inaccessible due to submerged roads.
Despite these catastrophic events, the state’s response appears woefully inadequate. The budget performance documents show that only N11.3 million was spent on erosion and flooding control under the “Preservation of Environment” line item, while N153 million was allocated and spent under the Ministry of Environment Capital Projects. This leaves a staggering shortfall of nearly N634.7 million, suggesting either mismanagement or deliberate underinvestment in critical infrastructure.
The state’s environmental neglect extends beyond flood control. Under the “Preservation of Environment” line item, the government budgeted N47 million for tree planting but spent only N1.7 million. Similarly, under the Ministry of Environment’s capital projects, N30 million was earmarked for a tree planting campaign scheme, yet zero funds were disbursed. These figures underscore a pattern of indifference toward environmental conservation, despite the urgent need for reforestation and sustainable land management.
While the state struggled to allocate funds for erosion and flooding control, it splurged N16.752 billion on purchasing vehicles in 2024. The acquisition included fifty Toyota SUVs, 150 Toyota Corollas, sixty Hilux pick-ups, and ten Coaster buses. This spending spree stands in stark contrast to the minimal investment in essential environmental infrastructure, raising questions about the state’s fiscal priorities.
The discrepancies in budget allocations and expenditures have prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability. Civil society groups and human rights organizations have urged the state government to explain the reasons behind the underutilization of ecological funds and the failure to prioritize erosion and flood control. There are also demands for a comprehensive audit of the funds to ensure they are used effectively and transparently.
The situation in Delta State highlights broader issues within Nigeria’s management of ecological funds. As SERAP noted, these funds are meant to protect human rights, yet their misuse threatens the very lives and livelihoods they are intended to safeguard. The federal government has a legal obligation to hold all tiers of government accountable and recover any missing funds, ensuring they are used for their intended purposes.
Delta State’s budget performance in 2024 is a microcosm of the challenges facing Nigeria’s environmental governance. While ecological funds flow into the state, their impact is negligible due to poor planning and execution. The state’s failure to address erosion and flooding control, coupled with its lavish spending on vehicles, reflects a disturbing disregard for the welfare of its citizens.
As flooding continues to devastate communities and exacerbate economic hardships, the need for decisive action cannot be overstated. The state government must prioritize environmental sustainability, allocate funds transparently, and ensure they are used effectively. Failure to do so risks further marginalizing vulnerable populations and undermining the state’s ability to withstand future climate-related disasters.
The people of Delta State deserve better. It is imperative that the government listens to their cries for help and acts decisively to restore trust and deliver meaningful change.
