Ondo State Governor,Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has presented a Budget Proposal of two hundred and seventy two billion, seven hundred and thirty six million naira (#272,736,000.00) for the 2023 fiscal year.
Presenting the budget tagged: ‘’BUDGET OF SHARED PROSPERITY’’ to the House during a plenary sitting presided over by the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.Oleyelogun Bamidele at the newly renovated complex in Akure, the Governor emphasised the need for the budget saying it is in tandem with the provision of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
According to him, a total sum of #129,224,338,133.00 was budgeted for recurrent Expenditure, while #143,511,300,850.00 was budgeted for capital expenditure.
Promising that his administration would not leave any salary unpaid at the end of its tenure, Akeredolu assured that he would leave no stone unturned in making life better for citizens of Ondo State.
The Governor used the medium to highlight some of the achievements of his government which include Rural and Agricultural Development, Educational Advancement and Human Capital Development, efficient service Delivery Development and Policy, effective healthcare and social welfare among others.
While reviewing the performance of the 2022 Budget, Akeredolu said Ondo State has keyed into the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) as well as the Open Government partnership (OGP) initiatives with the aim of enhancing efficiency and transparency in financial processes.
The Governor, who appreciated the Honourable members of the State House of Assembly for maintaining the atmosphere of peace and unity that exists between the legislature and executive, explained that such step would no doubt contribute to the development of the State as a whole.
Earlier, the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oleyelogun Bamidele had on behalf of other lawmakers appreciated the Governor for renovating the House of Assembly Complex, saying that it would further improve the standard and quality of their legislative procedures.
According to him, the State is currently witnessing a rapid infrastructural developmental in the face of limited resources.
He later assured that the lawmakers would continue to work for the interest of the good people of the State with dedication and commitment to work at all times.
The Chairman House Committee on Information, Youth and Sports Development Akogun Olugbenga Omole while addressing Journalists after the presentation of the Budget described the budget as people oriented, assuring that expedite action would be given to the budget with the desired legislative attention.
Also speaking on the budget, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and budget, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan observed that the economic sector had taken the largest Chunk of the 2023 budget.
He explained that Ondo State is one of the most prosperous States in Nigeria as it was recently ranked the state with least number of poor people by Nigeria Bureau of Statistics.