Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has presented the proposed Appropriation Bill 2035 to the state House of Assembly, a budget proposal of N1, 054, 542, 020, 147: 47.
The Appropriation Bill, christened “Budget of Hope and Prosperity,” consisted of N453. 56 billion in recurrent expenditures and N600. 98 billion in capital expenditures.
However, the budget, the 6th in the life of the Dapo Abiodun-led administration in Ogun, conspicuously remained silent about its source of finances.
Speaking while presenting the Bill before the House during the plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Oludaisi Elemide, the governor, noted that the budget reflected the “current challenges, essential reforms, and the need for inclusive, diversified, and sustainable growth”.
Abiodun revealed that the 2025 budget proposals would address the state’s challenges and outline sustainable strategies to overcome them.
“It aims to stimulate economic growth, reduce inequality, and improve citizens’ well-being. The budget prioritises infrastructure, healthcare, housing, security, education, youth empowerment, job creation, and agriculture, with policies designed to drive recovery and transformation during economic turbulence”.
Meanwhile, a cursory analysis of the Appropriation Bill indicated that the infrastructural sector would take the largest share of N284. 456 billion represented 27 per cent of the total budget, while the Education sector followed with a total sum of N177—835 billion, representing 17 per cent.
Giving a further sectoral breakdown of the budget proposal, Abiodun explained that the health sector would gulp a total sum of N134. 538 billion, amounting to 13 per cent of the total budget, while the sum of N66. 382 Billion, representing six per cent, was proposed for the Housing and Community Development, totalling N120. 14 billion will cater for personnel costs.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elemide appreciated Governor Abiodun for renovating the State Assembly Complex and other infrastructural projects, contributing to the lawmaker’s and staffers’ overall well-being and working conditions.
Elemide, however, assured that the Assembly would always cooperate and support other arms of government in the arduous task of ensuring the people’s peace, security and welfare, which remains a joint task in governance.
