The Secretary to the Abia State Government (SSG), Professor Kenneth Kalu, has commended the State Budget Committee for its deliberate and strategic approach in preparing the 2026 Budget tagged “Budget of Consolidation.” He described the fiscal plan as a well-conceived framework designed to guide Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in effectively executing the government’s priority programmes.
Speaking while presenting the 2026 draft estimates of the Office of the SSG at the Conference Room of the State Planning Commission, Professor Kalu lauded the Committee for being intentional in ensuring that the annual budget document is well-packaged and capable of driving the administration’s development agenda.
He emphasized that the Office of the Secretary to the State Government plays a crucial role in coordinating and monitoring the implementation of government policies and programmes across all MDAs and sectors. According to him, the mission of the Office is to enforce government directives, supervise projects, and ensure that all programmes are executed in line with international best practices.
Professor Kalu, however, identified some challenges facing the Office, including the lack of functional vehicles, inadequate executive council document chambers and archives for proper record-keeping, and the absence of modern ICT equipment such as laptops, desktop computers, and other digital tools necessary for efficient operations.
He appealed for increased support and budgetary allocation to address these gaps, noting that equipping the SSG’s Office adequately would enhance coordination, improve policy implementation, and strengthen overall government performance in the coming fiscal year.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the 2026 Budget Committee and Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike, explained that this year’s budget defense, themed “Budget of Consolidation,” aims to build on existing achievements, deepen reforms, and sustain developmental momentum across all sectors.
Meanwhile, the four bureaus under the Office of the SSG—including the State Pilgrims Welfare Board and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)—successfully defended their 2026 budget proposals before the Committee.
