CSO Lauds AbdulRazaq on Improved Budget, Raises Posers

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

A Civil Society Organisation(CSO), Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) has lauded the Kwara state government for improvements observed in the 2024 budget proposal presented to the State Assembly by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

This is also as the group raised concern over what it described some vague and frivolous items in the proposed budget.
 AbdulRazaq had last week laid before the parliament a fiscal plan of N296.4 billion for next year, with capital expenditure getting 61 per cent while recurrent expenditure got 39 per cent of the budget estimates.

In a statement issued in Ilorin yesterday and signed by the group Global Director, Mr. Abideen Olasupo, BBYDI specially lauded the state government for the introduction of a ‘basis for estimation and overhead descriptions’ in the 2024 budget.

The statement said the budget provided a foundation for clearer financial planning and accountability.
The statement stressed that the improvements address some of the key issues the organisation had consistently advocated, marking a positive step towards enhanced financial planning.

“Additionally, we commend the state government for incorporating forward-thinking initiatives in the 2024 budget, such as drug abuse prevention programmes and the construction of a rehabilitation centre.
“The allocation of a N100 million as take-off grant for the Education Trust Fund (ETF) project is also laudable, reflecting a commitment to enhancing educational development in the state.

“Furthermore, the budget provision of N16 million for the establishment of crèches and breastfeeding corners in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), promoting exclusive breastfeeding, demonstrates a holistic approach to healthcare and family support,” it said.
The group, however, demanded clarifications from the state government over some concerns it observed in the budget proposals which include missing overhead descriptions, unclear and non-specific line items as well as repetitive and frivolous items.

The organisation sought explanation on the introduction of N25 million for annual budget expenses and administration, and another N40 million provision for the same ‘annual budget expenses’ under the ministry of planning and economic development.

With KwaraLearn getting a budgetary provision of N3.5 billion for 2024, the CSO wondered why an additional amount of N150 million was allocated for digital education in the proposed budget, asking the government to specify what the amount is meant for.
It equally asked the government to clarify the N1 billion it budgeted for Adeta school and another N5 billion earmarked for Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

Under the budget of the Kwara State House of Assembly, BBYDI queried the allocation of N2.214 billion for the management and administration of the Assembly, and another N480 million for Grassroots Development and Empowerment (GDE).

It also demanded explanation on the proposed purchase of two Prado Jeeps worth N100 million each for the Speaker of the House and his Deputy, considering that N148.8 million was spent on the same budget line item in the current fiscal year.

The organisation also asked the state government to clarify the allocation of N500 million for ‘’MSMEs Support Fund’’ under the ministry of business, innovation, and technology, and how it is different from Kwarapreneur programme being coordinated by the state .

It said the explanation was needed in the face of another allocation of N4 billion for “Owo Isowo and Owo Arugbo”, along with N831 million for “NGCares” still under KWASSIP.