Governor Mr Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State on Thursday presented before the State House of Assembly a total of N119, 550,401,040.00 as the 2020 appropriation bill of the state.
In the budget proposal, the governor earmarked largest sum for critical sectors like infrastructure, education, health, water and sanitation and agriculture.
According to Oyetola, the 2020 appropriation bill, tagged “Budget of Restoration” was prepared with the aim of meeting the critical needs, yearnings and aspirations of the citizens and residents of the state in line with the state Developmental Plans.
On Expenditure, personnel takes N36,465,191,230.00 (30.50%); Overhead has N20,009,802,760.00 and consolidated revenue fund takes N1,200,000,000.00.
Recurrent expenditure was put at N57,674,993,990.00 while the capital expenditure was put at N61,875,407,050.00.
The breakdown of the budget further shows that the Infrastructure sector takes the largest chunk with a total sum of N9,318,841,640.00 (15.06%) followed by Water and Sanitation sector with a sum of N7, 581,241,350.00. (12.25%), while N6,517,762,830.00 (10.53%) was budgeted for the Education from the capital expenditure.
Governance and Administration sector has N4,323,555,790.00 (6.99%) while N4,311,456,450.00 (6.97%) was budgeted for Health sector.
Agriculture sector has N2,363,716,760.00 (3.82%); Security, Law and Justice Sector, N1,425,784,530.00; Environment sector has N736,347,190.00 (1.19%); Commerce and Industry sector N638,851,490.00 (1.03%); Economic Planning and Budget sector N345,864,600.00 (0.56%).
Other are: Information and Communication N205, 380,210.00 (0.33%) and Social Development and Welfare N129,930,370.00 (0.21%) .
In his speech during the presentation, Governor Oyetola said the administration was irrevocably committed to raising the standard of living of the citizens by ensuring judicious implementation of the budgetary provision.
He noted that the 2020 Draft Budget was crafted based on the State of Osun Development Plan (2019-2028), Medium Term Sector Strategy (2020-2022), Thank You Tour Report and Department for International Development (UK-DFID) supported Citizens’ Need Assessment carried out in 30 Local Governments and one Area Office.
“I stand to assure the good people of Osun that this administration will continue to pursue judiciously, the formulation and implementation of policies, programmes and projects that will bring about the restoration and the sustainable growth of our dear State as will be unfolded in the proposed Year 2020 Estimates.
“Since the 2020 draft Budget is in line with State of Osun Development Plans, 2019-2028, our major focus is to meet the yearnings of the good people of the state and the completion of the ongoing projects.
“It is indeed with a high sense of duty, therefore, that I present the appropriation bill for the 2020 fiscal year. I, therefore, acknowledge the maturity, discipline and patriotism behind your individual and collective conducts so far in your bid to uphold the tenets of democratic governance”, Oyetola said.
While speaking, the Speaker, Rt Hon Timothy Owoeye assured the governor that the house will work on the documents as soon as possible to ensure speedy passage.
While calling on the commissioners and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to make themselves available for budget defence when invited, Owoeye assured that the members are set and ready to collaborate with the governor and other arms to move the State forward.
“We are solidly behind you. Nothing can shake this government as I am confident that APC government has come to stay in Osun”, the Speaker added.
