Oyebanji presents first budget of ‘strong beginning’ to Ekiti Assembly

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has presented a budget estimate of N113,572,718,523.82 to the state House of Assembly for 2023, saying the budget was aimed at building on a strong foundation already laid for the development of the state.

The governor who christened the estimate “Budget of Strong Beginning,” explained that it had N80,362,578,854.29 as recurrent expenditure and N34,062,085,464.93 as capital expenditure.

The figure is about N13bn higher than the last budget of N100,753,933,241.60 presented by the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in December last year.

Oyebanji told the state lawmakers that the budget was largely the product of citizens’ engagement programme he had with stakeholders from towns and villages across the three senatorial districts of the state.

He added, “The 2023 budget was anchored on our administration’s six pillars for Ekiti development which include Youth Development and Job Creation, Human Capital Development, Agricultural and Rural Development, Infrastructure and Industrialization, Arts, Culture and Tourism, and Governance.”

Oyebanji said there was an increased allocation of resources to the critical areas of infrastructure such as water supply, electricity, housing, improved road network and provision of other infrastructural facilities across the 16 local government areas of the state.

The governor stressed the need by all stakeholders to improve on the state Internally Generated Revenue, with the incorporation of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited and attendant zero remittance to the Federation Account in recent times. This he said will cushion the effect and withstand possible revenue shock.

Oyebanji said, “Our goal is to safeguard our people’s lives, livelihoods, well-being and future. It is to create shared prosperity for all and to grow the economy, equip our people with valuable skills, create jobs, and expand the range of opportunities available for everyone.”

He also used the medium to commiserate with the Assembly members and the entire Ekiti people on the death of the Speaker, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye.

Oyebanji who asked for a minute silence in honour of the late Speaker described the deceased as a rare gem.

The Deputy Speaker, Hakeem Jamiu, who presided over the ceremony, commended the industry, diligence and commitment put in the preparation of the budget.