By Banji Ayoola
The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has signed the N193.9billion 2019 budget passed by the State House of Assembly into law.
With a total size of N193.903 billion, it is made of N83.852 billion and N90.113 billion representing 43.2% and 46.5% are for Recurrent Expenditure and Capital Development respectively.
He signed the budget, dubbed “Budget of Advancement” at the Council Chamber of his office on Thursday night.
The State House of Assembly had earlier in the day passed the appropriation bill of presented to it by the Governor on 31st December, 2018.
Further breakdown shows that N10.369 billion representing 5.3% is for Debt Service; N9.568 billion representing 4.9% is forStatutory Transfers to OSOPADEC and the 10% share of Independent Revenue to Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) of Local Governments in the State.
Expresseing the hope that the budget would take the State to the next level, the Governor said that his administration’s five-point development agenda is the major platform upon which the aspirations and dreams for the State shall be translated into tangible, life transforming projects or programmes in the 2019 fiscal year.
Akeredolu noted that the government is aware of the challenges posed by inadequacy of funds to effective and impactful budget implementation; as he linked the challenges to government’s inability to grow Independent Revenue to a level where it can cover most of the state’s recurrent expenditure from funds generated internally.
He said: “It is also disheartening to note that some Development Partners, in recent times, have failed to meet up with their terms of agreement.”
Declaring his administration’s resolve to sustain the use of ICT to help drive independent revenue generation to block loopholes, he said: “Our administration intends to continue to approach all issues of governance with the required gravitas. We shall proceed with renewed determination, despite the stated challenges
“I wish to assure you that this budget will be implemented, faithfully, in our quest to deliver the dividends of democracy and good governance to our people
”We will make sure that we have good value for every naira spent. We anticipate creation of more jobs for our youths. We shall deepen our engagement in developing infrastructural facilities.
“Provision of functional education and qualitative health care services remain our priorities.”
Following is the full text of the Governor’s address:
“We have every cause to express profound gratitude to the Almighty Who has bestowed uncommon Grace on us to see the light of this day. I am particularly elated to stand before you, once again, today for a very important assignment of State, signing the Appropriation Bill into Law. It is an annual event and, I dare to add, the most significant.
The seriousness attached to this business of State should find expression in marked improvement in the conditions of living of our people. I stand before the representatives of the people, yet again, imbued with the confidence in our readiness to discharge our mandate.
Let me hasten to thank the Honourable Speaker and other principal officers of the House, and indeed all honourable members for the unalloyed co-operation our administration has enjoyed till this moment. We acknowledge the fact that the journey would have been much more daunting without the harmonious relationship which has been existing between the leadership of our administration and other levels of responsibilities for almost two years now.
Let me put on record the uncommon sacrifice of Mr Speaker and the members of the House of Assembly for the speed with which they considered the 2019 Appropriation Bill. They, in an unequivocal expression of their patriotism to the State, had to resume from their annual parliamentary recess, a situation which has even compelled some of them to suspend their scheduled campaigns to attend to the Bill and pass it without compromising the integrity of the document.
A special mention must be made of the diligence and patriotism of the Chairman and members of the Finance and Appropriation Committee. They have exhibited uncommon devotion for public service in the consideration and passage of the Bill. It is noteworthy that, in spite of the short time available for this exercise, nothing escaped the painstaking scrutiny of the Committee. Minutest details were questioned and clarified before final passage. Our people are grateful for this exemplary conduct.
The 2019 budget was prepared on the basis of the inputs garnered during our Town Hall Meetings with various stakeholders across the State and the 5-point development agenda (the Blueprint to Progress) of our administration. It is the major platform upon which our aspirations and dreams for the State shall be translated into tangible and life transforming projects or programmes in the 2019 fiscal year.
The 2019 budget, aptly christened the Budget of Advancement, which has just been signed into Law, has a total size of N193.903 billion. Of this amount, N10.369 billion representing 5.3% is for Debt Service; N9.568 billion representing 4.9% is for Statutory Transfers to OSOPADEC and the 10% share of Independent Revenue to Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) of Local Governments in the State.
The sums of N83.852 billion and N90.113 billion representing 43.2% and 46.5% are for Recurrent Expenditure and Capital Development respectively.
I wish to reiterate that the main objective of the budget is to advance the State to a higher level through completion of the ongoing projects across the State.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Government is not unaware of the challenges posed by inadequacy of funds to effective and impactful budget implementation. This is not unconnected with our inability to grow our Independent Revenue to a level where we can cover most of our recurrent expenditure from funds generated internally.
It is also disheartening to note that some Development Partners, in recent times, have failed to meet up with their terms of agreement. Consequently, some of our government agencies have not been able to access their expected drawdowns.
To forestall the above, we have resolved to sustain the use of ICT to help drive independent revenue generation. These steps will assist in plugging the loopholes used by unscrupulous elements in the Public Service to deprive the State of deserved revenue. Our administration will continue to take the issue of workers’ welfare seriously. We will equally not fail to sanction any erring public servant.
We also solicit the voluntary co-operation of all residents in the State to be faithful in the payment of their taxes and levies. We seek the understanding of our traditional rulers and leaders of thought in our various communities in disseminating the important information on the need for our citizens to perform their civic responsibilities.
We must cultivate the habit of paying taxes. Appointed revenue collectors will be moving into every nook and cranny of the State. We look forward to enjoying the cooperation of all stakeholders in this regard.
Mr Speaker, members of the press, distinguished ladies and gentlemen,Our administration intends to continue to approach all issues ofgovernance with the required gravitas. We shall proceed with renewed determination, despite the stated challenges.
I wish to assure you that this budget will be implemented, faithfully, in our quest to deliver the dividends of democracy and good governance to our people. We will make sure that we have good value for every naira spent. We anticipate creation of more jobs for our youths.
We shall deepen our engagement in developing infrastructural facilities. Provision of functional education and qualitative health care services remain our priorities.
Finally, I wish to express my gratitude to the other two arms of government for their unparalleled support and co-operation since the inception of our administration.
I appreciate the efforts of our traditional rulers, religious and political leaders in ensuring peace in our communities. I thank, specially, the various security agencies, for their feat in curtailing the nefarious activities of criminals and other social deviants in the last few weeks.
I enjoin you to sustain this peaceful atmosphere as we approach the upcoming general elections, and even beyond.
I thank you all for your patience.”
