Oyo state government holds stakeholders’ consultative meeting on 2021 Budget
Segun Showunmi in Ibadan
The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Thursday led top government functionaries and other stakeholders to host the second edition of the state’s inclusive budget initiative, where he declared that his administration will not relent in its determination to turn the state around through people-centred projects.
Penpushing reports that Makinde, while delivering a keynote address at the engagement on the 2021 Budget, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, said that in his quest to positively influence the state’s economy and enhance the quality of life, his administration has approved the payment of N1.65 billion for the remodelling of Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) across the 351 electoral wards in the state.
The Governor said, though the state would need to spend between N7billion and N11 billion to properly remodel all the 351 PHCs, he approved the sum of N1.65 billion in a bold step to ensure the delivery of modern PHCs in all the electoral wards before May 29, 2023.
Penpushing further reports that he said that he recently approved the release of the sum of N1,080,000,000 (N1.08b) to the Oyo State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) for payment of 2018 leave bonus of the affected Teachers.
The Governor declared that despite the coronavirus pandemic, the implementation of the 2020 Budget has touched every sector of the state, a development which he attributed to the inclusion of the people in the budgeting process.
Penpushing also reports that Makinde stated that the execution of ongoing projects, including the 21-km Ajia-Airport Road, with a spur to Amuloko; the remodelling of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba; the Light-Up Oyo project, as well as the ongoing construction of four Bus Interchanges; OYSADA headquarters and upgrade of health facilities, became possible due to the government’s innovations in financial management and targeted borrowing.
The Governor however called on residents of the state to get involved in the budget consultative process which will take place in seven locations across the state.
Penpushing reports that the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Adeniyi Farinto, earlier in his address said the programme was a further attestation to the all-inclusive nature of governance under the present administration in Oyo State and its resolve to enshrine the principle of equity and participatory approach to governance.
The Commissioner stated that a stakeholders meeting of such nature was a genuine platform where all opinions would not only be explored but would be critically examined for the growth and development of the state, stressing that having a people-oriented budget has always been the priority of the Makinde administration.
Penpushing reports that the programme was attended by government officials, the traditional institution, Civil Society Organisations, and stakeholders from all the local governments that make up Ibadan City.
