By Saheed Ibrahim

Ondo state government has increased its budgetary allocation for salaries and wages in the state from N42.228 billion in 2021 budget to N44.07 billion in the 2022 budget.

The allocation, according to the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan, will cover ‘promotion, annual increments and salary arrears that might be paid in the course of the year’.

During the analysis of the 2022 budget, christened “Budget of Economic Reengineering, ” Igbasan revealed that a total of N10.036 billion was also set aside to take care of salaries of parastatals and tertiary institutions across the State, making a total of N54b.

While revealing that the 2021 budget performed at 70 percent  at revenue side at the end of September, 2021, he stated that the 2022 budget “seeks to define the clear pathway of Arakunrin Akeredolu led administration towards steady progress as our government continue to improve on building strong foundation for economic resilience and social transformation of our dear state”.

In the sub-sectoral breakdown of the N199.282 billion 2022 budget, Infrastructural development has the highest share with N47.546 billion, representing 23.86% of the total budget, followed by Public Finance (N44.955, 22.56%) and Education (N34.732, 17.43%).

The objectives of the state 2022 Budget, according to Igbasan include making significant improvement on independent revenue, leverage of opportunities, consolidation on development of infrastructure, investment in the people and creation of environment for economic advancement.

Others are creating economic ripple effect in the rural economy and enhance community development, achieve efficient personal, overhead expenditures and debt servicing and improvement on efficient and affordable health care system.

”Therefore, year 2022 budget has a revenue projection of N199.282 billion, which represents an increase of 13.9% over the Budget of 2021. N85.968 billion is earmarked for capital projects while N86.385 billion is for recurrent expenditures.

“N13.058 billion and N13.872 billion earmarked for Statutory Transfers and Debt Repayment respectively ,” adding that to ensure the budget was well funded and delivered to specifications, the Federation Account, Independent Revenue and Other Revenue Sources would be used to finance the budget.

“The policy thrust and priorities of government in the next fiscal year is aimed at streamlining sectoral programmes and projects within the framework of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and to further consolidate on the gains of this administration in the last four and half years as contained in the Second Term Blueprint named REDEEMED agenda.

“The varying competing needs of our people gleaned during the citizens engagement process across the state, which cuts across different sectors were properly aligned with the Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS), national, state and global goals were equally mainstreamed into the budget”, the Commissioner said.

He revealed that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had set up Performance and Project Implementation, Monitoring Unit (PPIMU) to ensure the implementation and delivery of the promises of the government to the good people of Ondo state.

Igbasan however called on the residents of Ondo state to support the state government by paying their taxes and levies as and when due

“Let me place it on record that the issue of the budget implementation is a joint responsibility of every stakeholder in the state.

“Therefore, to build the state of our dreams, all hands must be on deck to partner with this administration for efficient service delivery.

“Let me reiterate that everyone living and earning income or have significant economic presence in the state must pay their taxes as and when due.

“By so doing, we will have the moral right and justification to enjoy public facilities provided by government and demand accountability from our leaders,” he said