The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has presented a 188.9 billion Naira (about 1.2 billion dollars) budget proposal for the 2014 fiscal year before the state House of Assembly, expressing his commitment to the eradication of poverty through people-oriented programmes.
While making the presentation of the budget tagged “Budget of Consolidation,” the governor said that the proposal was guided by his administration’s desire to consolidate on its achievements, in order to restore, transform and reposition the state to its former pacesetter status very soon.
In the 2014 proposed budget, the sum of 96.041 billion Naira, representing 50.9 per cent, is allocated to recurrent expenditure, while capital expenditure would gulp 92.8 billion Naira, representing 49.1 per cent of the budget.
Allocations to different sectors are; 36.2 billion Naira to the economy, representing 39.01 per cent; Social Services 25.7 billion Naira, 27.67 per cent; Urban Regional Development 17.7 billion Naira, representing, 19.12 per cent and General Administration 13.2 billion Naira.
“The budget would focus on sectors like education, health, water and infrastructure. The aggregate percentage of 82.25 per cent of the total budget allocated to the economic, physical infrastructure and social services sector underscore my administration’s determination to pursue a people-centred, empowerment-focused agenda,” Governor Ajimobi said.
In her response, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu, lauded Gov Ajimobi for the attainment of a peaceful society where lasting infrastructure is being provided.
However, she stressed the need for the government to put more resources into developing educational institutions and the health sector in the state.
