Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has presented the 2016 budget proposal of N67 billion to the State House of Assembly.
In a statement issued by Stephen Gbadamosi, Special Assistant (Media) to the Speaker, Kola Oluwawole, the governor presented the document at a brief ceremony during the House plenary on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the Speaker in his welcome address, while praising Fayose for his people-centred policies, admonished the people of the state to pray for quick economic recovery of the state.
“I enjoin the good people of Ekiti to pray to God to reverse the situation for good as quick as possible. Mr. Governor has been a great manager of men and resources. This explains why the ship of Ekiti State is still sailing despite the troubled water. God will intervene.
“Your Excellency, the Year 2016 budget has been structured within the expected revenue profile of the state. It is in line with the sound logic of cutting your coat according to your cloth.
“The budget, by the grace of God, will address the cardinal programmes of Mr. Governor for the State. Ekiti people will reap maximally the dividends of democracy under the leadership of Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose.
“I want to assure Mr. Governor that the House will swing into action on the Budget with a view to giving it expeditious consideration and passage into Appropriation Law. The Honourable Members and the Legislative bureaucrats will work round the clock. Since the House has been duly carried along in the entire budget process, I am therefore, confident that the budget will have a smooth sail. The relevant Committees of the House will monitor every stage in the implementation of the Budget”, Mr. Oluwawole said.
The governor, during the presentation of the document, said he took pragmatic steps in preparing the 2016 Appropriation Bill of the state, hence, it was Christened “Budget of Reality”.
Mr. Fayose further said despite the paucity of funds, the government would begin payment of N5,000 allowances to not less than 10,000 underprivileged persons in the state, while admonishing the people of the state to understand the need for them to pay their taxes promptly.
He also promised that copies of the document would be sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), among others, so that they could monitor the implementation.
Gov. Fayose said this was based on his conviction that it was unrealistic for any leader to steal his state’s funds without dire consequences.
The presentation was witnessed by traditional rulers, lawmakers, members of the state executive council, government functionaries and leaders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti.
