To sustain Ekiti State government policy of shared prosperity through the six Pillars of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s – led administration, a budget of 159,572,481. 61 billion naira has been presented.
The budget, tagged; Budget of Sustainable Growth and Development, was presented by the Honourable Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Mr. Niyi Adebayo who disclosed the figure during the public presentation of breakdown and highlights of the 2024 budget in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital.
Giving the objectives of the budget which are to ensure Shared Prosperity, Expand Revenue Base, Security, Collaborate with Development Partners , Create an Enabling Environment for MSMEs, Developmental Projects Completion, Youths and Women, Instill Good Governance, Civil Servants Capacity Building, Cushion Fuel Subsidy Effect, Create Employment Opportunities, Promote arts and culture, Guarantee Food Security, Develop Human Capital Index and Stimulate Economic Activities in Ekiti State.
The Commissioner who opined that the budget would be financed through different sources said he believes that the figures are achievable with the hope that in the course of the year, it would enable the State to generate more than the budgeted amount.
According to Mr Adebayo, it is always better to under promise and over deliver than to over promise and under deliver with the assurance that revenue generation won’t be a problem in the course of the year.
Reacting to why the construction of new governor’s and deputy governor’s lodge in Abuja under selected capital projects in the budget should gulp as much as 800 million naira, the Honourable Commissioner explained that it was the past administration that commenced the project which is yet to be completed. “It is not yet habitable. He said.
Stressing that the money voted is to ensure the completion of the project in a way that would be attractive to anyone who sees it when compared with what other states are putting in the Federal Capital Territory. The Commissioner said it is not wasteful because of the quality and presentation the average Ekiti person will be proud of.
Speaking on the issue of security, Mr. Niyi Adebayo made it clear that a lot of initiatives are going on how to strengthen the security architecture of the State as he disclosed that much investment has gone into. But urged the general public to be always ready to give information about any suspicious movement around them.
Present at the budget presentation were the top government functionaries, religious leaders, heads of Tertiary institutions and financial Institutions as well as other stakeholders in the State.