Oshiomhole signs N116.6b budget into law

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State on Tuesday signed the 2016 budget of N116.6 billion into law, including a capital expenditure of N59.6 billion.
Signing the budget in Benin, the governor said the budget was N4.9 billion higher than the N111.7 billion presented in 2015.
According to Oshiomhole, the budget has a recurrent expenditure of N57 billion.
The governor said on assumption of office more than seven years ago, his second budget in 2010 was N150 billion
He said the state budget had dropped from a peak to a modest one.
According to him, the state is experiencing a smaller budget at a time of mounting expectations from the people of the state.
Oshiomhole also expressed confidence that his successor would consolidate and build on the foundation of development already laid.
Oshiomhole said the essence of government and governance was the people, adding that he was impressed with the 2015 budget performance.
He said in the Works sector, the budget’s performance recorded was 99 per cent, Health sector had 96 per cent, Environment 70 per cent, and Education 85 per cent.
Oshiomhole said it was easy to sign a budget but the implementation was the major challenge.
He said the 2016 budget was brought down to be in tandem with the present realities on ground.
The governor commended members of the State Assembly for their commitment toward the budget.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the budget was tagged: “Budget of Finishing Well.”
NAN.