The Spokesperson of the Nigerian Senate and Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District, Dr Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, has described the 2022 budget of Osun State as a model that any serious-minded government must copy.
This followed the Osun government’s vote of with 58.7% to capital expenditure and 41.3% to recurrent expenditure.
Bashiru, while speaking at the budget signing ceremony on Wednesday, lauded Osun’s commitment to a January to December budget cycle, which he described as significant to ensuring government’s stability within the calendar year.
He also lauded Osun’s 2022 budget component, adding that it evidences the fact that the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola embodies the purpose of governance which is to deliver on infrastructure and human capital development.
Basiru, who described Oyetola as a leader committed to sustainability of welfare of citizens, said: “the January to December budget cycle is very important to predicting the sustainability of governance in any progressive society.
“This budget is also significant to public financial management, one that any serious-minded government must copy. From the analysis of the budget, we have a situation whereby more than 58 percent of the budget goes to capital expenditure. The significance of this lies in the fact that if the purpose of governance is to deliver on critical infrastructure, human capital development and to engender the development and welfare of the people, we cannot afford to concentrate on funding the running of the government at the expense of delivering those critical infrastructure that will impact or develop the people.
“The practical implication is that Osun as a State is spending money on infrastructure, human capital development and citizens’ welfare.
“This is a model that is worthy of emulation because it ensures reduction of the cost of governance and ensures concentration on critical sectors of the economy that will galvanise development and ensure the government’s commitment to the principal purpose of governance in Section 14 of the Constitution, which is security and welfare of the people”, Bashiru said.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, has reiterated the House’s continued resolve to provide leadership that would smoothen governance and make life bearable and prosperous for citizens through people-oriented legislation.
Owoeye, who assured the House’s unalloyed support for the Oyetola-led Administration, warned those that might be contemplating fanning the ember of division or disaffection among members of the Assembly to steer clear as the House remained resolute to ensure the success of the Administration.
Owoeye stated further, “We want to thank you for the timely presentation of the 2022 Appropriation Bill which helped us to properly scrutinise it. Though the process of looking at it was very tedious, my colleagues had done very well to actualise this.
“With Governor Oyetola, it’s been an upward movement from arithmetic progression to geometric progression. No doubt, Mr. Governor is performing. Some believe we are rubber-stamp to the executive, but for us, we know that in all ramifications, the Governor has proven and demonstrated sincerity, ingenuity and commitment of taking Osun to the next level.
“This budget is reliable and realistic. It is a budget of Sustainable Development. We promise to continue to support you as we have realised that if we continue to carry out our oversight functions properly, it will help to move the state forward towards actualising her dreams.
“We assure you that, come rain, come sunshine, nobody will come to destabilise this government through the House. We are committed to supporting your government in the interest of the development of Osun”, Owoeye said.
