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2020 Budget: Makinde pledges 70 per cent of implementation before end of year
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has signed the 2020 Appropriation Bill of the State into Law.
The 2020 budget signing ceremony, which was held inside the State’s Executive Council Chambers, Governor’s Office, Agodi Ibadan, was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan; the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, members of the House of Assembly and other top government functionaries.
Governor Makinde, who declared that the Government would target a minimum of 70 per cent implementation, stated that the budget would achieve landmark infrastructural development in the State.
He said: “So, as I stated in the budget presentation speech, our objective is to, at least, achieve 70 per cent implementation at the end of the 2020 fiscal year.”
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the budget was geared towards achieving the plans outlined in the roadmap for accelerated development of Oyo State from 2019-2023.
Governor Makinde said: “The Appropriation Bill for the 2020 fiscal year, which I am about to sign into Law, represents the aspirations of the people of Oyo State. It is geared towards achieving the plans outlined in our roadmap for accelerated development in Oyo State from 2019-2023. We produced this document during the electioneering period and it is exactly what we are following.”
The Governor commended the Oyo State House of Assembly for the prompt scrutinising and passing of the proposed budget bill in order for the implementation of the budget to start from the beginning of the next year.
“Let me start by thanking the Oyo State House of Assembly for promptly scrutinising and passing our budget proposal. This makes it easier for the Executive to do its part in implementing the budget from the beginning of next year. So, I want to, on behalf of the Executive, appreciate the Honourable Speaker and other House of Assembly members that are present here.”
The Governor hinted that all the civil servants would receive their 13th month salary by the 28th of December, 2019.
“Before we draw the curtain on 2019 fiscal year, I mentioned it during my last media chat and I have also mentioned it this morning that our civil/public servants will receive their 13thmonth salary by December 28,” he said.
The Governor noted that the drafting of the budget was holistic in nature as everyone in all the nooks and crannies of the State was carried along.
“We ensured that everyone was involved in drafting the budget proposal at different engagements and sessions throughout the State. I personally was engaged in the engagement session for Oyo South Senatorial District. The Deputy Governor spearheaded the engagement session for Oyo North Senatorial District and the Chief of Staff did that of Oyo Central. Our people were carried along.
“We believe so much in the document, because a lot of work actually went into it and it will interest you to also know that even international agencies have been making references to it. I had a meeting with the World Bank and they brought out the document and said they have been referencing it. So, it is our roadmap.
“The total amount passed by the state House of Assembly was 213,788,33,2.97. This is an increase of 4,935,60,124.97 compared to the budget proposal we submitted. So, in reality, the House of Assembly has graciously added more money to the budget, probably they did it on the expenditure side, they will still have to come back to us on the revenue side.
He said: “Both capital and recurrent expenditure were increased by the House of Assembly compared to the budget proposal, which we submitted. So, the total capital expenditure is now 1,360,177,88.97 and the total recurrent expenditure is now 110,427,855,919. Even though, we have been consistently paying salaries as and when due, we managed to decrease personnel cost in the budget compared to the 2019 budget.
“We are all aware of the validation exercise that is going on. On one hand, we hope that it will allow us to eliminate ghost workers syndrome and, on the other hand, we have just set up the Committee to engage the Labour Union to seek alignment on the new minimum wage issue. So, we will keep a close watch on what has been approved by the House of Assembly on the side of the recurrent expenditure.
The Governor added: “The top four sectors with the highest budgetary allocations are infrastructure, which has 23.93 percent; education 22.37 percent; health is 5.18 percent and agriculture which is 4.1 percent. These sectors were prioritised because they represent the four pillars that this administration is resting on.
“On infrastructure, we do have a couple of developmental projects that are coming in. We know for a fact that within the 2020 fiscal year, the rail corridor will become a reality. We will push forward with the dry port.
“As I said during the media chat, if you don’t want this place to be like Lagos, then we have to plan early. If we know the dry port is coming early, we have to design a new road network, plan for the influx of people. If you have a dry port, you should have clearing agents and different workers in there. So, what this means to us is we need hotel accommodation should they stay two or three-night here to complete their transactions. So, on all of these, we have to prioritise, pull those projects in before they turn into an emergency.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank the good people of Oyo State for the overwhelming support they have given this administration.
“Also, on behalf of my colleagues seated here, I will remain bound by our commitment to serve the people.”
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo South Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
Oseni made his aspiration known during a high-level meeting with the Ibarapa APC Elders’ and Leaders’ Forum, comprising the G9 and the expanded G64 caucus, held at the party secretariat in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area, over the weekend.
The G9 and G64 groups consist of influential stakeholders drawn from Ibarapa East, Ibarapa Central, and Ibarapa North local government areas.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker expressed appreciation to the forum for their support and confidence in his leadership and vision.
He said his ambition to represent Oyo South Senatorial District was anchored on a determination to consolidate and expand his record of performance.
Oseni said, “This aspiration is not built on mere rhetoric, but on the continuity and expansion of a proven track record of quality representation and grassroots-oriented governance.”
While soliciting the support of party leaders, he described his ambition as a divine call to serve the people with renewed dedication.
According to him, “This is not a time for self-glory but a sacred responsibility to intensify efforts towards real development, bring more relief to our people and ensure inclusive governance.”
He pledged not to betray the trust reposed in him by party elders and faithful, stressing that his aspiration is rooted in progressive ideals and a genuine commitment to the development of the district.
Oseni also urged leaders in the zone to mobilise support towards delivering one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming election.
Speaking at the meeting, a leader from Ibarapa East, Chief Michael Morawo, lauded the lawmaker for delivering democratic dividends and strengthening the party structure. He added that Oseni has demonstrated commendable leadership through his performance, noting that his impact in stabilising the party within the constituency is evident.
Similarly, a former council chairman in Ibarapa Central, Chief Theophilus Adenrele, commended the lawmaker for not betraying the trust reposed in him. Also, a chieftain from Ibarapa North, Chief Francis Babalola, described Oseni as a humble leader committed to progressive ideals, dismissing speculations about his possible defection if he does not secure the governorship ticket.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the forum, Chief Timothy Jolaoso, said the lawmaker enjoys widespread grassroots acceptance that cuts across political divides.
Jolaoso said, “All indicators consistently point to Oseni as a candidate with acceptance that transcends party lines. He is not only capable but a man of deep faith with proven empathy for the downtrodden.”
He added, “He possesses the goodwill, financial strength, and public trust required for leadership.”
The elder statesman further noted that Oseni’s performance in the House of Representatives, alongside his role as Chairman of the FERMA Committee, underscores his competence and commitment to development.
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