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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Enugu State Government has set aside N10 billion in its 2026 budget as equity contribution for the first phase of a 135.4-kilometre standard gauge rail project set to transform transportation across the state.
Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Chris-Roberts Ozongwu, disclosed this during a press briefing at the NUJ Press Centre, Enugu, yesterday.
Governor Peter Mbah had earlier presented a N1.62 trillion financial plan for 2026, dubbed the Budget of Renewed Momentum, to the State House of Assembly.
The proposal marks a 66.5 per cent increase over the revised 2025 budget and features a strong capital expenditure component of N1.3 trillion, representing 80 per cent of the total budget.
Explaining the government’s priorities, Ozongwu said the rail project aligns with Governor Mbah’s campaign promise to establish a fully integrated multimodal transport system combining rail, tram and inland waterways.
He added that the planned rail line would extend to the borders of neighbouring states to improve regional connectivity, especially within the South East.
In aviation, the commissioner revealed that the government intends to expand the fleet of Enugu Air—the state-owned airline launched in July 2025—to 20 aircraft by the end of 2025. The airline currently has three aircraft and will grow to six before the end of the year.
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“In the same vein, the government plans to add another 14 aircraft next year because Enugu Air has been quite lucrative,” he said.
The administration is also making significant investments in aviation infrastructure, with another N10 billion earmarked as equity contribution for the concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, part of Mbah’s vision to position Enugu as a major West African aviation and logistics hub. Additionally, the state will commit N10 billion to a vehicle manufacturing and assembly programme that will deliver 2,100 taxis for youth empowerment and for the Distress Response Squad (DRS), the state’s special security unit.
Ozongwu expressed confidence that the state would surpass its 2025 budget performance.
“Human life is one of improvements. We achieved about 85 percent of our performance and it is almost likely that we will continue in that same trajectory to move this state to 90 per cent performance.
“We have the indices to do that. We have the personnel, the acumen and we are ready to raise the money to do that. Expect better performance next year.”
He added that allocating 51.1 percent of the budget to the economic sector and 40.1 percent to the social sector underscores the government’s commitment to private sector-led growth and human development.
Encouraging investors to take advantage of emerging opportunities, he said: “So, something is going on in this state. It is a feel-good factor. Come to Enugu and invest because your investment is going to be protected, your returns are going to be wonderful. Join us and be part of this success story.
