Recent budget performance documents have revealed that the Ogun State government, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, expended a total of N2.3 billion on welfare, refreshments, and foodstuffs during the first quarter of 2024.
According to the breakdown, welfare packages constituted the largest portion at N1.7 billion, followed by N323 million allocated to pilgrimage and religious festivals. Refreshments and meals accounted for N228 million, while foodstuffs alone cost N25 million.
The expenditure on welfare packages notably surpassed allocations for capital projects in critical sectors. For instance, the Ministry of Agriculture received only N123 million for capital expenditure, while the Bureau of Job Creation and Youth Empowerment reported zero spending on capital projects.
Similarly, the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Community Development and Cooperative also recorded zero capital expenditure during this period.
In contrast, significant amounts were allocated to certain sectors for capital projects, less than the expenditure on welfare. The Ministry of Housing received N493 million, education, science, and technology were allocated N1.7 billion, and the health sector received N151 million.
The allocation of 60% of the N3.8 billion capital expenditure on works and infrastructure towards pilgrimage, welfare packages, foodstuffs, and refreshments has raised questions about the prioritization of spending amidst substantial debt servicing costs.
Moreover, Ogun State allocated N11.8 billion towards debt servicing in the same period.
Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration has yet to comment on the specifics of the expenditure breakdown or the criticisms raised concerning the budget priorities for the first quarter of 2024.
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