The Ogun commissioner for women affairs and social development, Adijat Adeleye, defended the over N1 billion appropriated for the ministry in the state’s 2024 fiscal budget on Monday.

Ms Adeleye appeared before the Committee on Finance and Appropriation led by Musefiu Lamidi, representing the Ado-Odo/Igbesa constituency, at the Ogun House of Assembly complex in Abeokuta.

She solicited more support from the legislators in containing incidences of gender-based violence (GBV) and gender inequality in the state.

The commissioner said, out of the total budget for the ministry, N353 million was earmarked for capital projects, while N651 million was for recurrent expenditure.

According to her, over N12 million was expected as internally generated revenue during the fiscal year.

Ms Adeleye stated that part of the ministry’s target for the year was the completion of the rehabilitation of the Fatty Lammy Rehabilitation Centre at Oke-Ilewo and the Women Development Centre at Kobape, among others.

She commended the assembly for identifying with the ministry through their strategic role of orienting the grassroots on gender-based issues, especially the enactment of relevant legislation to protect women and other vulnerable groups.

Other agencies that defended their budget estimates for the 2024 fiscal year included the Ministry of Community Development and Cooperatives, the Office of the Auditor General for the State, and its local government counterpart. 

(NAN)