Ondo State Government has apologised over an error on the reported N5 billion daycare renovation budget.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan, it thanked the online newspaper that reported the story for detecting the error, which it blamed on the printer’s devil.
Also, it cleared the airs on the N18 billion loan reportedly taken by the Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa administration in three months.
It explained that the reported loan is an AFD facility for the Owena Dam reticulation which has not been accessed.
According to Igbasan: “This loan is an AFD facility for the reticulation of water from Owena Dam to Akure, Ile-Oluji, Idanre, Ifedore and environs that will provide clean water for about 1.2m people.
“The project started in 2017 and the N18 Billion mentioned was part of what should have been released to Ondo State in 2023 but was delayed due to stringent World Bank Process.
“The said loan has not been assessed as the procurement process according to Word Bank Standards is ongoing.”
Following is the full rejoinder titled “Re: Ondo budget documents show Governor Aiyedatiwa sets aside N5 billion to renovate daycare centre, borrowed N18 billion in three months”:
“The attention of the Ondo State Government has been drawn to a publication of Saharareporters.com with the above caption: The Ondo State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget wishes to profoundly appreciate Saharareporters for their diligence and bringing this error to our notice in time.
“The Five Billion Naira (N5b) provision was actually meant to reflect the expected drawdown from the Nigerian for Women Project (WORDLD Bank Supported) which had earlier been captured under the Capital Receipts of the document referred to by Saharareporters. The N18 Million reported on the Nigerian for Women Project is meant for the renovation for Daycare Project.
“This is a regrettable Printer’s interpolation error that occurred during the process of preparing the document for publication. This error would have remained almost undetectable were it not for the eagle eye by Saharareporters because the Ondo State Budget System is e-based and the correct figures are reflected on the portal as shown below (www.ondobudget.Org).
“Hence, at the operational level, this error will not materialize and almost impossible to detect. The Ministry take full responsibility for this error and we have immediately set in motion the machinery to have the error corrected.
“We also took note that the report mentioned the sum of N18 Billion loan procured in just three (3) months. This loan is an AFD facility for the reticulation of water from Owena Dam to Akure, Ile-Oluji, Idanre, Ifedore and environs that will provide clean water for about 1.2m people. The project started in 2017 and the N18 Billion mentioned was part of what should have been released to Ondo State in 2023 but was delayed due to stringent of World Bank Process. The said loan has not been assessed as the procurement process according to Word Bank Standards is ongoing.
“Furthermore, the fund has a separate account, which is not subject to the control of State Officials except those people prior approved by the World Bank before the advent of Governor Aiyedatiwa. The full details of this could be seen in our first Quarter year 2024 Budget Report on https:ondobudget.org/materials/ONDO%20state%20Q1%20BUDGET %20APPRAISAL%20cri.pdf
“We look forward to having robust engagement and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders on the journey to making Ondo State a reference point in transparent Budgeting.”
