Aiyedatiwa presents N655b budget to Assembly

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has presented a N655 billion budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly. Aiyedatiwa, in the budget tagged “Budget of Recovery,” disclosed that infrastructural development has the largest allocation with N238.5 billion, representing 36.40 per cent, followed by public finance with N125.456 billion (19 per cent), education will gulp N77.024 billion (11.80 per cent), and agricultural development with N56.102 billion (8.60 per cent).

The governor, while presenting the budget proposal at the Hallowed Chamber of the state legislature during plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, N248.923 billion, representing 37.99 per cent of the total budget, is allocated for recurrent expenditure, while N406.307 billion, representing 62.01 per cent of the budget, is earmarked for capital expenditure.

With the 2025 budget proposal higher than that of 2024, which stood at N395.257 billion, the administration of justice is allocated N132.163 billion (2.80 per cent), trade and industry N8.839 billion (1.30 per cent), health N46.016 billion (7.00 per cent), and environment and sewage management N13.084 billion (2.00 per cent).

Also, general administration receives N34.398 billion (5.20 per cent), information N3.230 billion (0.50 per cent), legislative administration N7.636 billion (1.20 per cent), regional development N8.869 billion (1.40 per cent), community development N14.128 billion (2.20 per cent), and energy N3.742 billion (0.60 per cent).

Aiyedatiwa, who commended the people of the state for their support during last month’s gubernatorial election, acknowledged the legacy of his erstwhile boss, the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The governor, who highlighted the achievements of the past year under his leadership, said that his administration had secured the trust of the people.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Oladiji, commended the governor for his resilience and achievements, which contributed to his victory at the poll on November 16, 2024. Oladiji assured the public that the budget would be scrutinised thoroughly to ensure it positively impacts every citizen.