Ondo State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan has given a complete breakdown of the 2022 Budget signed last month. Pastor Igbasan, who gave the analysis at a press conference in Akure said that the major focus of the budget was how to stimulate the economy by investing in people through empowerment of youth, artisans, farmers and market women.
The Commissioner, who was flanked by his Finance counterpart, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa and other top government functionaries, said “we are creating jobs along the agricultural value chain through agric-preneur and agro allied industries and train not less than 2,000 youths and women in Agric and Agribusiness”. He said the government has started working on ways to industrialise the State, he added that Governor Akeredolu had initiated work on high networth industrial investment to catalyse the industrial resurgence in the state. Igbasan listed some of the projects to include, Ondo Seep Sea Port, Free Trade Zone, Sunshine Egg Plant, Ore Power Plant, Igbokoda Glass Factory and Ceramics, Ondo Red Gold Project and Industrial Park.
The Commissioner explained that the 2022 Budget christened Budget of Economic Re-engineering is N199.282 billion in total. Out of this, N85.968 is earmarked for Capital Projects, while N86.385billion is for Recurrent Expenditures. N13.058 billion and N13.872 billion are earmarked for Statutory Transfers and Debt Repayment respectfully. "The sum of N44.047 billion has been earmarked for salaries and wages for the year 2022 Budget. This will take care of promotion, annual increment and salary arrears that might be paid in the year. Under this vote, a total N10.036 billion has been set aside to take care of the salaries of parastatals and Tertiary Institutions in the state. A total of N12.505 billion has been set aside to take care of Pensions, Gratuities of Pensioners and payment of severance benefits to former political office holders"
Sunday Ajibola,
Media Manager,
Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget