Precious Oham
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji on Friday presented N159.5 billion naira appropriation bill christened the 2024 ‘Budget of Sustainable Growth and Development’ before the State House of Assembly.
He explained that the 2024 appropriation bill which has recurrent expenditure as N87.5billion representing 55 percent and capital expenditure pegged at N71.9 billion , which is the 45 percent of the total budget size was designed in line with the present economic realities in the country and inputs from the citizens.
Oyebanji stated that his administration was committed to fulfilling his six-pillar agenda across all sectors of the economy saying that the budget was , ” a key tool that will enable us give effect to the Performance Bond and ultimately fulfil the social contract we signed with the good people of Ekiti State.
“In line with our Open Governance Policy and participatory governance, it is instructive to note that the 2024 Budget preparation process was conducted with respect to our avowed principle of inclusive participation.
“I held town hall meetings across the three senatorial districts for our people to collate and articulate and for us to listen to the needs of our towns and communities for consideration in the 2024 Budget. Many of the inputs obtained during the engagements have been incorporated into this proposal in fulfilment of our bottom-up approach to government policy formulation and implementation.”
The governor in the presentation said that infrastructure will gulp N20.3 billion ; health and human services, N3.3 billion ; micro, small and medium scale enterprises, N5.7 billion ; Education, N2.5 billion ; agriculture, N1.6 billion and water, N2.3 billion.
He called on the lawmakers to give the budget estimate quick consideration in a bid to help the administration deliver its core mandates to the people across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.
The Assembly Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye said that the house would ensure critical dialogue, proper scrutiny and constructive engagements with relevant bodies before passing the 2024 budget.
While noting that the bill as presented reflected progressive continuity, the speaker noted that the lawmakers would examine the document to ensure it aligns with the vision of shared prosperity and economic growth among other grounds.
“We will engage in constructive dialogue, debate and collaboration with MDAs to ensure the passage of the budget in record time,” the speaker said.
