From Priscilla Ofunre, Ado-Ekiti
In a bid to ensure a threat-free environment in Ekiti State, the government has earmarked the sum of N16.7 billion to prevent the recurrence of flooding that ravaged a section of the State in 2019.
In the same vein, government is to spend a staggering sum of N495 million to boost electricity supply that would in turn improve the small and medium scale enterprises in the state.
Ekiti was one of the few states badly affected by flooding in 2019, a situation that resulted in the death of one person, while Ureje and Erio bridges had collapsed with many houses submerged in the threat.
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Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, on Thursday during the 2020 budget analysis programme, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Femi Ajayi, said the N124 billion budget estimate would focus largely on how to make Ekiti an agricultural, industrial and knowledge base of the Nigerian economy through the completion of ongoing projects and commencement of other legacy projects.
The Commissioner said, though there was a reduction in the size of the budget, christened “budget of deliverables”, with estimate of N124 billion as against N129 billion of 2019, insisting that would not reduce the performance of government in the year.
He said the reduction in the size was as a result of drop in the revenues accruing to the state from the federation account.
Ajayi said: “Government is aware of the consequences of uncontrolled environment. Many people have been rendered homeless while innocent lives had been lost to erosion and flooding.
“This government is resolute in promoting hygienic environment to ensure healthy living. To this end, a sum of N16.7 billion has been earmarked to curb erosion and ensure a healthy environment. This amount will be shared among forestry, town planning, sewage and drainage emergency and waste management.”
Ajayi said a sum of N20.039 billion was budgeted for personnel cost, which he said will take care of the payment of leave bonus, new minimum wage being paid to grade levels 01 and 06 as well effect it across board when negotiation is completed.
The Commissioner added that a whooping sum of N32,192, 464, 643.64 billlion, is expected from the federation account, which he said was grossly inadequate to fund the budget.
“We are expecting a sum of N17.6 billion from internally generated revenues, which accounts for 14 percent of the total budget estimate. With this, we are looking inwards to boost our IGR and other sources that can generate income apart from the federation account.”
The Commissioner stated that a sum of N35.459 billion was budgeted for infrastructure and industrial development, which constitutes 66 percent of the appropriation law.
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Ajayi averred that the government would also expend a sum of N3.372 billion to develop commercial agriculture that would enhance youth empowerment in the fiscal year.
“Also, the governance, representing administrative sector, will gulp a sum of N10.546 billion, which covers internal security, the legislature and judiciary.”
In area of education, Ajayi stated further that not less than N250 million will be spent for the provision of Information and Communication Technology laboratories in 50 schools across the state.