The Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, on Thursday signed into law the State’s 2012 budget of N156 billion with a pledge to implement it effectively for the overall development of the state.
Mimiko, who spoke shortly after giving his assent to the bill tagged: “CaringHeart Budget III” at the Governor’s office in Akure, disclosed that the major objective of the budget is to complete all the developmental projects under execution and to consolidate on the administration’s remarkable achievements in the last three years.
He said: “The budget is strategically targeted at completing all the ongoing projects, generate employment for our teeming population and keep the economy vibrant and healthy. In line with best practices, we have reduced miscellaneous capital items in order to free fund for developmental programmes.
“In this fiscal year, measures like revenue summit, review of rates, strengthening of the standing Committee on Revenue will be embarked upon to drive the revenue generation base of the state.
“This is to forestall the possibility of abandoned projects occasioned by inadequate funding.”
The governor enjoined the organised private sector to explore the opportunities embedded in the budget by interacting and maintaining a robust engagement with the fiscal priorities of the state.
Mimiko also said that the critical scrutiny of the budget proposal in full glare of the public was an indication that the legislators are performing their duties independently and thanked them for the speedy approval of the budget, which paved the way for its passage into law.
He stated that the signed copy of the bill will be uploaded immediately on the state’s website, www.ondobudget.org, while the soft copy will be made available to the general public.