Governor Abiodun Engages Stakeholders on MTEF/2024 Budget

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, re-emphasised that he would not renege on its vision to provide focused and qualitative governance. In the state

The governor also promised to create an enabling environment for a public-private sector partnership, which is fundamental to creating enduring economic development and individual prosperity.

Abiodun stated this at Ijebu-Ode while speaking during the citizen’s engagement on the 2024–2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and 2024 budget.

The citizen engagement, the first in the series for the 2024 budget, attracted several stakeholders, including traditional rulers, women groups, civil society organisations, students, professional groups and members of community development associations.

The governor, represented by Deputy Governor Noinmot Salako-Oyedele, said that the administration was keen on the MTEF forum, based on the style of governance and avowed pledge to be open and accountable in all ways and to run an inclusive administration where everyone is involved in the decision-making process.

The governor said, “This is a multi-year public expenditure planning exercise that is used to set out the future budget requirements for existing services and to access the resource implications of future policy changes and any new programmes.

“As you all know, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework enhances the transparency of the budget process and budget documentation so that policy goals and resource allocation are clearly set out.”

Abiodun added, “In this way, it empowers the government to determine priorities and seamlessly deliver democratic deliverables without predilection or sentiment. The promise to continuously engage citizens is still fresh in our hearts and remains irrevocable.

“This is why our infrastructural investments are people-oriented and transformational, with resultant and obvious multiplier effects on the socio-economic development of the state. I am happy to inform you that we have done and will continue to do so through our ISEYA mantra as encapsulated in the ‘Building Our Future Together’ Agenda, institutional policy, and structural revolutions for individuals.”

The Ogun governor explained that the administration’s infrastructure investments are people-oriented and transformational, with immense multiplier effects on the socio-economic development of the entire citizenry of the state.

While specifically mentioning some of the projects executed in Ijebuland, sequel to inputs of Ogun citizens, Abiodun promised to continue to engage the people to know their needs.

Setting the tone for the engagement, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the administration would ensure that no section of the state would develop at the expense of the others.

The commissioner, who highlighted some of the projects executed by the administration in the last five years, said the government would concentrate on people-oriented projects and those that can enhance the state’s revenue generation.

Stakeholders who spoke at the event commended the governor on several developmental projects executed in Ijebuland and pointed out areas where the administration should intervene.