Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has hinted that the state 2011 budget might drop lower than the current fiscal year due to fall in funds accruing to the state.

Dr. Uduaghan who disclosed this while declaring open a budget retreat for the pre-year 2011 said fund coming to the state has drastically reduced.

He said the dwindling fund was as a result of a drop in oil production explaining that instead of the target of 500,000 barrels a day the state was producing 150,000 barrels a day.

His words "The funding of this year’s budget was reduced as a result of the damage to oil pipelines during the May 13th Crisis in the Oil Producing Areas of the state. We are trying to develop a non-oil economy because with the current revenue that we have we may not be able to create the enabling environment to achieve our mission".

Explaining further, he noted that the revenue from oil production in the state dropped from 35% to 19% due to the Crisis, but the state has repaired the damaged pipelines and was targeting to hit 500,000 barrels of oil per day.`

The Governor vowed to continue to pursue his programme of developing a state without oil even as he explained that depending on oil alone at this stage of the nation’s history will be counter productive.

Charging all departments in the state to embank on aggressive revenue drive, he promised to ensure sever financial discipline and financial management in all departments in the state.

Governor Uduaghan said his administration was committed to building an enabling environment for a non-oil producing economy and has improved on the welfare of Deltans through the Micro-Credit Scheme as well as improved Transport System, Free Health Care Facilities for pregnant mothers and children below 5 years and Free Examination Fees for SS3 student.

"These are some of the things we are doing to develop our state, our future is very bright, if we manage our funds properly, we will get to our destination."

He appealed to Deltans to be patient and show understanding with his administration as he was determined to provide the necessary infrastructure that will lift the state to a greater height.