Budget 2022: We reached 78 per cent implementation in six months — Ondo Government

Ondo State Government on Monday said its 2022 budget implementation had reached 78 per cent in June.

The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan, made this known at a consultation meeting with women groups and people living with disabilities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the meeting was based on the 2023-2025 medium-term expenditure framework and also, to prepare the 2023 budget.

Igbasan, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Bunmi Alade, said the ministry was looking at having 100 per cent performance as the year went by.

He said that the state budget processes had undergone improvement in recent times in terms of preparation, implementation, monitoring, and appraisal.

Igbasan said the continuous involvement of stakeholders in crafting the state budget had engendered credibility and put the state on the path of building sustainable trust and partnership for the socio-economic development of the state.

“As of June, we are over 78 per cent budget implementation, and this second half of the year, a lot of activities will be coming up.

“We look at indices and see that as much as possible the level of variance in budget performance is reduced to the barest minimum.

“For us at ministry of economic planning and budget, we are looking at having 100 per cent performance and it is the duty of all of us to enlighten people to do whatever they are supposed to do.

“We should work towards the actualization of the budget maximally for the benefit of all of us,” he said.

Igbasan lauded Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu for being compassionate in fulfilling his promises.

He added that there would be payment of additional salary as the necessary provisions had been made in allocating resources for the state.

“There would be a proper restructuring of the available fund to areas that would ensure all these arrears are met. We are also looking for a way to bring in more money.

“All these industries that are springing up everywhere, economy being received in one way or the other, everything is targeted towards ensuring the economic well-being of the state.

“If the economy is going smoothly, money will come in from a lot of things that are on the front burner of what the government is putting in place,” he said.

The State Chairman, Agency for Persons With Disabilities, Mrs. Shade Arise, appreciated the governor for putting them in mind and including them in his administration.