Abiodun presents 6th budget, commissions renovated Assembly Complex

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has presented, before the House of Assembly, the 6th budget of his administration since his inception as the executive Governor.

Presenting the ₦1trillion budget for the year 2025, the Governor, during a plenary session presided by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, stated that the sum of ₦1,054,542,020,147.47 “Budget of Hope and Prosperity”. was made up of ₦120.14billion to cater for personnel costs, with consolidated revenue cost put at N37.49billion; while ₦76.07billion would cater for public debt charge, just as overhead cost was put at ₦219.86billion, with ₦600.98billion to cater for capital expenditure.

The Governor had earlier commissioned the newly redesigned State Assembly Complex built over 45 years ago.

Giving the sectoral breakdown of the proposed budget; Consisting of ₦453.56billion as recurrent expenditure and ₦600.98billion as capital expenditure, Governor Abiodun explained that the Education sector would get ₦177.835billion representing 17%, while ₦134.538billion amounting to 13% was allocated to health sector being ₦66.382billion, as 6% was proposed for the Housing & Community Development, just as Agriculture/Industry would gulp ₦65.38billion representing 6%, with infrastructure taking ₦284.4Bn being 27%, leaving ₦25.27billion being 2% for recreation, culture and religion.

Other sectors including Social Protection secured ₦39.83billion resulting to 4%, with General Public Service – Executive Organ allocated 4% being ₦46.86billion, just as General Public Service – Financial & Fiscal Affairs were allotted 4% resulting into ₦42.28billion.

He stated further that 0.3% being ₦2.91billion was to cater for General Public Service – General Personnel Service, with Public Order & Safety to get 3% being ₦26.44billion.

Also, Economic Affairs was allocated ₦5.97billion being 0.6%, just as Judiciary was given 1% resulting into ₦10.54billion, with the Legislature to take 2% being ₦21.18billion, with the remaining ₦104.6billion being 10% allocated to Statewide.

Giving an explanation of the Budget, Abiodun revealed that the 2025 Budget proposals would address the challenges facing the State and outline sustainable strategies to overcome them, adding that the expenditure policy for 2025 aligned with the State Economic Development Plan and Strategy (2021–2025), targeting fiscal sustainability, human development, food security, a favorable business environment, energy sufficiency, enhanced transport infrastructure, and industrialization with a focus on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

According to the Governor, the budget reflects current challenges, essential reforms, and the need for inclusive, diversified, and sustainable growth. It aims to stimulate economic growth, reduce inequality, and improve citizens’ well-being.

The budget prioritizes infrastructure, healthcare, housing, security, education, youth empowerment, job creation, and agriculture, with policies designed to drive recovery and transformation during economic turbulence.

This budget strives to balance fiscal responsibility with improved public service delivery; ensuring resources are used effectively to maximize prosperity for all, by tackling immediate issues like unemployment and poverty, while investing in long-term growth. It serves  as a roadmap for economic and social progress.

Its vision is to inspire hope, foster unity, and strengthen public trust in the government’s ability to manage resources responsibly and guide the State toward a more equitable and sustainable future”, Governor Abiodun remarked.

Giving an appraisal of the present year 2024 Budget, he revealed that the State had achieved 79% of its pro-rated revenue target and 56% of the pro-rated expenditure target, adding that the performance over the past few years underscored the State’s fiscal reliability, with an optimism of giving the State a stronger financial base.

In his opening remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elemide, who appreciated Governor Abiodun for the renovation of the State Assembly Complex and other infrastructural projects which had contributed to the overall well-being and working conditions of the lawmakers and staffers, explained that the presentation of the yearly Appropriation Bill remained a constitutional requirement towards ensuring judicious allocation and utilization of public funds in the coming year.

Elemide lauded the present administration’s ongoing legacy projects, including the Agro Cargo International Airport, the Remo Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone, the resuscitated Kajola Free Export Processing Zone, the Inland Dry Port at the Dry Port City Sodipo Village, Papalanto and the road infrastructure, revealing that the Assembly had in the last 18 months, considered 14 bills out of which nine had been passed.

Elemide posited that 32 motions were passed into Resolutions, which covered a wide range of issues, while conducting oversight functions on all Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), with over 40 issues resolved amicably under the quasi-judicial function of the Assembly.

He sought the need for a Special Court to enforce the Anti-Land Grabbing Law as land related disputes had accounted for over 80% of all petitions received by the House.

Calling for the financial autonomy for the State Legislature to enhance efficient discharge of its constitutional duties, the Speaker further commended the Governor for improved welfare for Members of staff, with a request for more initiatives that would ease the working conditions of the lawmakers and the workforce.

In his closing remarks, Elemide noted that the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill was another clarion call on all and sundry, to rise to the upliftment of the socio-economic development of the State, assuring that the Lawmakers would continue to strive to ensure the timely passage of the Appropriation Bill for the coming year, as well as monitoring its implementation through oversight functions to ensure its benefit to the people.

He assured that the Assembly would always cooperate and support other arms of government in the onerous task of ensuring peace, security and welfarism of the people, which remain a joint task in governance.

Dignitaries present at the budget presentation included the State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, former deputy Governors, Senator Shefiu Kaka and Yetunde Onanuga, State Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, former Heads of Service, Members of the State Executive Council, members of body of Permanent Secretaries, Paramount Rulers of Yewaland, Egbaland and Remoland and party stalwarts amongst others.