Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday presented a budget proposal of N273.9 billion for the 2024 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly. The budget, which he tagged “Budget of Reconstruction and Recovery”, is aimed at recovering, revamping and rebuilding the “battered economy” of the state inherited by his administration.
The governor said the budget comprised recurrent expenditure of N165.65 billion, representing 60.5 per cent, and capital expenditure of N108.25 billion, representing 39.5 per cent. He said the budget was designed to address the challenges of infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, security, and social welfare in the state.
He said the budget was in line with the existing laws, which stipulated that the draft budget of a state should be submitted to the House of Assembly for approval before the end of the year. He appealed to the lawmakers to expedite action on the passage of the appropriation bill.
The Speaker of the House, Adewale Egbedun, in his remarks, said the budget presentation was historic as it was the first budget being presented by the governor and the first to be deliberated upon by the 8th assembly. He assured the governor of the assembly’s cooperation and support in ensuring the budget was passed on time.
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He also directed the state’s ministries, agencies and departments to furnish the assembly with 35 copies of their budget for scrutiny. He said the assembly would conduct a public hearing on the budget to ensure the input of the people of the state.
The speaker also announced the names of the governor’s nominees into the boards of some state statutory commissions, which included the Osun Independent Electoral Commission and Osun Assembly Service Commission. Others are the Osun Judicial Service Commission and the Osun Civil Service Commission. He directed all the nominees to submit 35 copies of their curriculum vitae to the House clerk.