Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Imo State Government has set aside a staggering N1.1 billion for refreshments and meals in the 2026 fiscal year, while simultaneously budgeting N458.5 million for honorarium and sitting allowances, according to the state’s approved budget documents and second-quarter Budget Implementation Report obtained by SaharaReporters. The figures, detailed under expenditure code 22021001, reveal that the state appropriated N1,103,531,710 for "Refreshment & Meals" for the entire year. By the end of the second quarter, however, a whopping N802 million had already been spent, representing a staggering 72.7 per cent of the annual allocation. This leaves a balance of just N301.53 million for the remaining six months, meaning the government has already consumed more than seven out of every ten naira budgeted for feeding and hospitality within the first half of the year.
In stark contrast, the N458.51 million budgeted for "Honorarium & Sitting Allowance" under code 22021002 saw a meagre expenditure of only N10 million between January and June, representing a paltry 2.2 per cent utilisation. This leaves a substantial N448.51 million unspent under that category. Combined, these two expenditure lines account for approximately N1.56 billion in the 2026 budget, with N812 million already spent by the end of June. The allocations form part of the state’s broader N9.32 billion provision for miscellaneous expenses under code 220210, of which the government had spent N3.31 billion, or 35.5 per cent, during the first two quarters.
Other items under the miscellaneous expenses category also received substantial allocations. For instance, N1.55 billion was budgeted for publicity and advertisements, of which N797 million, representing 51.4 per cent, had been spent by the end of June. The state also allocated N1.64 billion for local medical expenses and had spent N789.5 million, or 48.2 per cent, during the period. Another N2.03 billion was earmarked for welfare packages, with N275.93 million, representing 13.6 per cent, spent by the end of the second quarter. The report further shows that N881.64 million was allocated for "Special Days/Celebrations", with N181.5 million spent, representing 20.6 per cent performance.
Beyond miscellaneous expenses, the report reveals significant allocations across several administrative expenditure categories. The state budgeted N3.31 billion for general utilities, including electricity, telephone, internet, water, and sewage charges. Of this amount, N1.45 billion, representing 43.8 per cent, had been utilised by the end of the second quarter. Internet access alone received N2.33 billion, with N1.36 billion, or 58.3 per cent, already spent. The government also appropriated N17.57 billion for general maintenance services, of which N4.97 billion, representing 28.3 per cent, had been spent. Maintenance of motor vehicles and transport equipment accounted for N3.98 billion of the allocation, with N1.77 billion spent, representing 44.4 per cent. Another N3.99 billion was budgeted for maintenance of office buildings and residential quarters, with N1.62 billion spent during the first half of the year.
The state also set aside N6.16 billion for training, including N6 billion for local training and N162.8 million for international training. By June, N1.04 billion had been spent on the overall training provision. Under "Other Services - General", the government budgeted N6.02 billion, with N2.25 billion spent, representing 37.4 per cent. Security services accounted for N3.51 billion of the allocation, while N1.31 billion had been spent by the end of June. The state also allocated N1.53 billion for security vote, including operations, and had spent N877.5 million, representing 57.5 per cent.
The figures show that while several administrative expenditure lines recorded relatively modest utilisation, spending on refreshments and meals had already exceeded 70 per cent of the annual allocation halfway through the financial year. With N301.53 million remaining from the refreshments and meals budget and six months still left in the 2026 financial year, expenditure under the category could come under pressure if the existing pace of spending continues. The report provides a breakdown of the state’s expenditure performance but does not give details of the specific events, meetings, establishments or activities responsible for the N802 million spent on refreshments and meals. Similarly, while N458.51 million was provided for honorarium and sitting allowances, only N10 million had been recorded as expenditure by the end of June, leaving the bulk of the allocation available for subsequent spending. This development comes amid calls for prudence in government spending and proper management of public funds.
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