Coronavirus: Ogun state government earmarks 20% revised 2020 budget to health sector

The Ogun State Government has earmarked 20 percent of its revised 2020 budget to the health sector as part of measures to sustain the fight against coronavirus pandemic.

Penpushing reports that,the Governor made this known on Thursday at the Virtual Consultative Meeting on Year 2020 Revised Budget, held at the Ministry of Budget and Planning, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, adding that it was part of measures to control the pandemic

The Governor revealed that provision has also been made for some critical sectors, including education, infrastructure, environment and security, to reduce the socio-economic effects of COVID-19 on the people.

Penpushing further reports that, he explained that the pandemic has brought about its attendance implications, hence government needed to work through it and come up with a realistic budget that would serve the interest of the people.

“Let me reiterate that the government shall continue to focus more attention towards the control and management of the COVID-19 pandemic as it has earmarked about 20 percent of the revised 2020 budget to the health sector to fight the deadly virus’.

“Similarly, provision has been made in the revised budget in some crucial sectors that are expected to mitigate the effects, both economic and social, of COVID-19 pandemic in the education, environment, infrastructure, social protection and public order and safety sectors.”

Penpushing also reports the the Governor explained that the meeting, was necessitated by the current review of the 2020 budget as a result of coronavirus, pointing out that expenditure such as personnel emoluments, monthly running costs and other related expenses could not be waived by the government.

The Governor  said the state has already incurred expenses by establishing three isolation centres at Ikenne, Abeokuta and Sagamu, trained 426 public health workers and fumigate public buildings, among others, in its efforts at curbing the spread of coronavirus.

Penpushing reports that he,however, said as a government committed to inclusiveness, openness, accountability and transparency, the present administration believes a change in the pattern of expenditure from a collective agreement, should also have the input of the people.

The Governor also  restated his commitment in  implementing the items on the contract between the government and the governed.