The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and the leadership of the state House of Assembly have pledged to ensure proper implementation of the 2012 budget, signed into law by the governor on Friday.
Fayemi had on Friday signed the 2012 appropriation bill of Eighty-Eight Billion, Eight hundred and twenty-eight million, three hundred and fifty-one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-five naira, twenty-five kobo ( N88,828,351,795.25k) following its passage by the Assembly.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, Fayemi said that the budget, which was dubbed “Budget of Delivery”, takes into cognisance the economic reality of the new year, adding that his administration was committed to making the budget a realistic framework for the rapid development of the state in line with his promise to the people.
Fayemi said his administration was on a threshold of history and would not renege on the promise it has made to the people of the state that the budget would be that of delivery.
He said he was aware that all eyes were on his administration and as such he would not leave any stone unturned to ensure effective implementation of the budget.
He also lauded the decision of the state Assembly to monitor its implementation.
Commending the state Assembly for the timely passage of the budget and for putting in place a tracking system for its implementation, the governor said that this would save the executive arm of government from implementation problems.
The governor also urged members of the State Executive Council to do their best in ensuring strict compliance with the budget plans, stressing that there was no room for laxity even as he lauded the House of Assembly for not “padding” the budget.
“I believe the only way to reward the hardwork that our people have done in the course of the town hall and village square meetings and that which their representatives have now done in the comprehensive exercise that the budget has just undergone in the House of Assembly is for us to deliver at a 90 to 100 per cent performance,” Fayemi said.
The Speaker of the House, Dr. Adewale Omirin, said the Appropriation Bill underwent all necessary legislative procedures with proper scrutiny by standing committees of the House.
He added that the proposed estimates were thoroughly scrutinised using the past budget, actual expenditure and expected government internal and external revenues.
Omirin expressed optimism that at the end of year 2012, Ekiti people would have been satisfied that they have trustworthy leaders who are committed to their developmental agenda.