Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti on Thursday presented a proposed N490.74 billion budget for the 2027 fiscal year to the state assembly.

Mr Oyebanji presented the appropriation bill, christened the ‘Budget of Sustained Progress and Prosperity’, at the assembly chamber in Ado-Ekiti.

He said the proposal was designed to consolidate his administration’s achievements and lay a foundation for the next four years.

The governor said the budget also aligned with the state’s 30-year development plan covering the period from 2021 to 2051.

He said the proposal comprised N275.68 billion for recurrent expenditure and N215.06 billion for capital expenditure.

Mr Oyebanji said the estimates would provide a framework for sustained development and improved living standards across the state.

The budget focuses on six pillars of his administration.

The pillars include education and healthcare; good governance and transparency; arts, culture and tourism; youth and job creation.

Others are infrastructure and industrialisation, as well as agriculture and rural development.

Mr Oyebanji said the proposal would consolidate gains recorded under his administration’s Shared Prosperity Agenda.

He added that it would strengthen ongoing programmes and create opportunities for economic growth across the state.

Earlier, the assembly speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, commended Mr Oyebanji for presenting the proposed budget.

Mr Aribasoye said the proposal reflected the aspirations and needs of residents expressed during town hall engagements across the three senatorial districts.

He assured that the Assembly would subject the proposal to thorough legislative scrutiny before its passage.

The speaker said the review would focus on constitutionality, revenue projections, stakeholder engagement and equitable distribution of projects.

Mr Aribasoye said lawmakers would also assess the balance between recurrent and capital expenditure.

“As we receive this bill today, the assembly will approach its legislative review with patriotism, objectivity, and thoroughness,” he said.

He said lawmakers would ensure equitable distribution of projects across the three senatorial districts and 16 local government areas.

The speaker added that the assembly would also consider the state’s 22 local council development areas.

Mr Aribasoye said the assembly would cooperate with the executive where necessary and demand accountability where required.

He stressed that such scrutiny was not a contradiction but “constitutional democracy at work”. 

(NAN)