Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun yesterday presented the 2020 budget proposal of N449.974 billion to the House of Assembly.

The estimate tagged ‘Budget to Build Our Future Together’ was presented at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

This year’s budget was increased by N49.674 billion from the N400.3 billion appropriated in 2019.

Governor Abiodun, while giving the breakdown, disclosed that capital projects would gulp N269.132 billion (60 per cent) while recurrent expenditure stood at N180.842 billion (39.69 per cent).

He added that N83.238 billion (18 per cent) would be spent on salaries and allowances, while pension and gratuities would gulp N25.945 billion (six per cent).

The governor noted that N71.659 billion (16 per cent) was set aside for overhead cost.

Social Welfare and Wellbeing got the lion’s share of N128.067 billion (28 per cent) while infrastructure got N107.964 billion (24 per cent).

Education got N91.609 billion and agriculture N21.634 billion.

He said 67 per cent of the budget would be funded by Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N264.964 billion and Statutory Allocation of N43.431 billion.

Abiodun seized the opportunity to intimate the lawmakers of his achievements in the last six months in office.

His words, “We have been able to demonstrate our commitment to the continued socio-economic development of our dear state, particularly in education, health, infrastructure and other key sectors that have direct and positive impact on our people.”

Soliciting the support and cooperation of the Assembly, the governor said his administration would employ an action plan for prudent financial management.

Speaker of the Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, assured that the house would give necessary attention to the Appropriation Bill and ensure its passage within the shortest possible time.

Oluomo revealed that the 9th Assembly had so far passed eight bills and 10 resolutions, disclosing that the house had ensured proper monitoring of finances allocated to the 2019 budget.

He insisted that the house would not support the Hate Speech Bill at the National Assembly, arguing that it would gag the media as well as silence the masses.

The speaker added that the house had been able to maintain cordial relationship with the executive arm of government and pledged more support.