By Stephen Dieseruvwe
According to the 2024 data published by the Federation Account Department, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the total net FAAC allocation to Delta State amounted to N408,046,262,162.19 (four hundred and eight billion, forty six million, two hundred and sixty two thousand, one hundred and sixty two naira, nineteen kobo), whilst the five South East States of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo received a combined total of N396,639,220,356.86 (three hundred and ninety six billion, six hundred and thirty nine million, two hundred and twenty thousand, three hundred and fifty six naira, eighty six kobo). This shows that Delta state received N11,407,041,805.33 (eleven billion, four hundred and seven million, forty one thousand, eight hundred and five naira, thirty three kobo) more than the combined total received by the five South East States.
The 2023 population projections based on the 2006 Census figures, as well as the 2019 projected population, published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), puts the population of Delta State at 7,107,543, Abia – 4,841,943, Anambra -7,299,910, Ebonyi – 4,007,155, Enugu – 5,396,098, and Imo – 6,067,722. The total projected 2023 population of the five South East Statesis 27,612,828, which is approximately four times the population of Delta State.
Going by the above information, is the developmental strides of Delta State commensurate with the allocation received by the State? In a civil and courteous manner, let the debate begin.
Stephen K. Dieseruvwe, is an Urban & Regional Planner, Researcher, Development Practitioner, Monitoring & Evaluation Practitioner, and Road Safety Specialist writes from Asaba, Delta State