By: Ade Adeleke
The Ondo State Government has set aside a sum of N45.9Billion for the payment of salaries and wages of civil and public servants in the state this year.
This is just as the government has proposed to spend the sum of N750m for the conduct of local government elections.
The Ondo Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) had fixed December 2023 for the conduct of the local elections.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is also to spend N429m to purchase 26 units of vehicles for lawmakers to be elected to the State House of Assembly in the forthcoming general election.
The State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Emmanuel Igbasan, disclosed this in Akure at a press briefing while giving analysis of the state 2023 approved budget of N275,979,184, 000.00.
Also speaking at the media briefing, the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, the state would achieve full percentage budget performance for the benefit of the people.
Akinterinwa commended the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Economic Team of the present administration for keeping faith and ensuring proper implementation of the 2022 budget, noting that this year’s budget would also be impactful on the people of the state as projected by Governor Akeredolu.
Also at the forum, the Chairman, Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, ODIRS, Mr Tolu Adegbie said the agency would work harder to achieve tax projection for the budget, adding that tax collection would be made easier with the use of modern technology.
Adegbie said there would not be a tax burden on the people but more people and companies would be made to fulfill their tax obligations to the government.
The media briefing was also attended by the Ondo State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Prince Leke Adegbite; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Bayo Phillips and his Finance Counterpart, Ekpobomini Jide and top Civil Servants.
Igbasan said the state projected to N2.66bn monthly from Internally Generated Revenue to fund the budget.
He stated that the allocation of 52.95 percent of the budget to capital expenditure was to ensure the people benefitted maximally.
Igbasan stated that the sum of N3.25bn would be spent to procure security hardware for Amotekun and maintenance of law and order.
Other key projects expected to be executed in 2023 included construction of a new Governor and Deputy Governor’s lodge at the cost of N3.95bn, new hospital complexes at N3.4bn, renovation of Ondo Assembly at N350m amongst others.
“Ondo State recently ranked the least in Multi., Dimensional poverty index in the country in a survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics in conjunction with UNICEF.
“This feat is occasioned by people oriented programmes _ embarked upon by this administration which paid due attention to economic drivers and enablers during the year.
“There is the need to deepen the economic impact of 3 various programmes which earn the state this recognition.
“Next step will be to ensure that more people are enlisted in the production loop and taken out of poverty
“Mr. governor has, therefore, approved that programmes that will affect the vast majority of our people be prioritized in the year. Hence, the budget is titled a “Budget of Shared Prosperity.”
“The projection of N32.009 billion in 2023 as Independent Revenue (IR) represent an average of N2.667 billion per month. In essence, the contribution of IR to total revenue is 23.5%.
“This would be sourced from Taxes, Levies, Fines, Rates, Penalties, approved fees, etc.
“In closing, Mr. Governor has assured us that the Budget will be logically implemented to further deliver the dividends of democracy and good Governance to our people. Permit me to also solicit the understanding and support of all MEDAs to continue to cooperate and collaborate with one another for development of a people-centred Ondo State where prosperity, peace and progress shall reign supreme.
“On behalf of our Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, I, therefore, convey my earnest gratitude for the cooperation and support that you have willingly given to our administration since inception. This partnership is working and underlies our modest successes in governance and service delivery.
“I also want to appreciate the good people of Ondo State for their fidelity in good and in difficult times; you neither wavered nor flinched in your support and solidarity. We are grateful for your steadfast love, prayers and wise counsel,” Igbasan said.
“Mr. Governor has assured us that the budget will be logically implemented to further deliver the dividends of democracy and good governance to our people.
“The people will benefit from the budget. I am sure, we on the economic team, are committed to ensuring performance of the budget optimally. It is a good take away for the media to monitor as we put out our performance on a monthly basis.”
