Budget 2020: Ogun Government Proposes N449.974b

By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
A whopping sum of four hundred and forty nine billion, nine hundred and seventy four million, one hundred thousand naira (N449, 974,100.00) have been proposed as budget for the 2020 fiscal year by the Ogun State government.
This 2020 budget tagged ‘Budget to build our future together’ has an increase of N49.600b as against the 2019 budget christened ‘Budget of enduring legacy’ by the immediate past administration, which stood at N400.323 billion. 
The state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun while presenting the budget before members of Ogun House of Assembly at the Hallowed Chambers, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta on Tuesday stated that the budget was to reflect the determination to deliver on his administration electoral promises to the optimal level.
Governor Abiodun confirmed that the budget would be funded with N159.24 billion expected from the internally generated revenue and N60 billion from the federation account. Adding that the capital receipts is expected to be N101.08 billion, while government also expected N80 billion from road refund from the federal government. 
Prince Dapo stated: “The analysis of the proposed expenditure are as follows: Our expenditure consists of capital expenditure of N269.132b representing 60% and recurrent expenditure of N180.842b, that is 40%. 
“Salaries and allowances stand at N83.238b, while pension and gratuities account for N25.945b, which is 189% of total expenditure and pensions and gratuities are 6% of total expenditure. The balance of N71.659b which accounts for 16% is set aside for the overhead costs. 
“The proposed budget is to be allocated among the five strategic pillars, essentially coined I.S.E.Y.A  as follows: Infrastructure, N107, 964, 243.99; Social welfare and wellbeing, N128, 067, 28.46; education, N91, 609, 20.36; youth empowerment, culture and religion, N7, 896, 21.75; agriculture, N21, 634, 4.825. The subtotal is N357, 17, 79.38. Others, are N92,804, 210.62, while the total amount is N449,974,100.00.”
Speaking on the performance of the outgoing year budget, he stressed: “Mr. Speaker, let me, for a few moments give a review of the budget performance in the out-going year. The 2019 budget size was N400.323 billion. 
“The recurrent expenditure was N149.67 billion, representing 37% of the budget; whilst capital expenditure stood at N250.65 billion, representing 63% of the total budget size. As at 31st October, 2019, the overall budget prroportionate performance was 36%. With this in view, we have scaled up expectations and thought through how government will perform better in the coming year.”
However, on his responses on the policy thrust, he noted: “The policy thrust for the 2020 financial year will be towards achieving the following goals: No poverty; zero hunger; good health and well being;quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy.
“Others are decent work economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequality; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace and justice strong institution; and,partnership to achieve the goal.
“Infrastructure will continue to be an important pillar in discharging good governance to the people, our administration will, in the coming year, intensify efforts towards road construction and rehabilitation across the State. 
“This administration would embark on massive housing programmes so as to further guarantee our administrations Infrastructural developmental strategy toward job creation and poverty alleviation.  
“In the year 2020, the state government, having taken due cognizance of the inputs of the stakeholders, including our partners, during the Education Summit and other sessions on the 2020 Budget, has made a provision of N91.609 billion for running cost and various capital projects in the education sector.
“We will enhance health care delivery in the state through rehabilitating, equipping and providing adequate staffing for the general hospitals and the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) so as to continue to serve as effective referral centres for the lower tier healthcare delivery centres. A total sum of N44.719.. billion has been set aside as the estimates for the health sub-sector.
“The agriculture sector will continue to receive adequate priority in pursuance of the set objectives. Agriculture will continue to serve as a pillar for job creation, poverty alleviation and food security, particularly for our youth while harnessing all opportunities and potentials of agriculture, with emphasis on the much value-adding stages of processing and storage for massive production.
 “In Year 2020, funds have been set aside for pipeline extensions in more areas and the rehabilitation of the older schemes in order to make them more productive.  We shall ensure that more people have access to potable water.  
“”Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, let me assure you that in the in-coming year we shall strive with renewed strength and vigour to make our dear state the best in service delivery to our people and solidly entrench the foundation for continued socio-economic development the state.”
Meanwhile, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, Speaker of the house hereby promised to so a thorough work and to ensure that Tue budget received adequate attention from members. Adding that the house would work in synergy with the state government  to achieve  the demonstration agenda.