While a budget is an estimation of income and expenditure for a fiscal period, the Osun State governor promises that the 2012 budget will be more than the facts and figures. BUKKY OLAJIDE analyses the budget and the governor's promises.WITH a draft budget figure of N146.7 billion, the Osun State people may have been reveling with great expectations from the administration.The draft 2012 budget, the first to be conceptualised and formulated by the administration of RaufAregbesola recalled that the processes for the preparation of the 2011 budget had been concluded by the immediate past administration before he assumed office on November 27, 2010.According to him, the draft 2012 budget being presented is in consonance with the guidelines of the state's Vision 20:2020 First Implementation Medium Term Plan (2010 to 2013), which has been comprehensively reviewed to incorporate the Six-Point Integral Action Plan of this administration as the main driver saying that the 2012 budget epitomises their philosophy and vision.He stated that it is in compliance with the five-year Fiscal Strategy Paper of the state of Osun.In addition, the draft 2012 budget has been fashioned towards the accelerated achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.He explained that the 2011 budget was reviewed during the year to accommodate the additional provisions required to implement the New Minimum Wage and the implementation of the new salary structures for medical doctors, health workers and the staff of the state tertiary institutions.With the approval of the House of Assembly, a re-allocation of the budgetary provisions on certain heads and sub-heads was carried out. In all, the realignment brought the total recurrent expenditure to N53. 3 billion or 51.72 per cent while the capital expenditure was N49.7 million or 48.28 per cent. Notwithstanding the review carried out, the size of the initial budget approved by the House of Assembly did not change.Reviewing the implementation of 2011 budget, the governor recalled that the size of the 2011 Appropriation Bill passed by the House of Assembly was N102.9 billion. The initial total recurrent budget was N49.8 billion or 48.40 per cent while the capital expenditure was N53.1 billion or 51.60 per cent of the total budget.The quarterly progress report on the implementation of the 2011 budget prepared by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Budget revealed that the total revenue, which accrued to government from all sources from January to September 2011 was N44.9 billion. The total expenditure of government inclusive of all recurrent and capital expenditure for the corresponding period was N31. 7 billion.Our government has been very prudent not only in the management of our financial resources but also with regard to human and material resources. From the performance of the 2011 budget just highlighted, it is obvious that the finances of government have been kept afloat. Rather than running into deficit, the state government of Osun will be ending this fiscal year on a credit note.Let me at this juncture concentrate on the object of this gathering by presenting the draft 2012 budget.The governor promised massive achievements in terms of the execution of developmental projects. Apart from the physical achievements recorded, the attention of our administration in the last 12 months has particularly been focused on laying a solid moral foundation upon which our developmental programmes will be based.The necessary socio-economic planning frameworks required have now been put in place to pave way for the socio-economic reconstruction of the state of Osun in the coming fiscal year.Without mincing words, the draft 2012 budget has been carefully packaged for the effective realisation of our vision as encapsulated in our Six-Point Integral Action Plan.It is necessary to note that sceptics have been confounded in the last one year by the strings of achievements recorded by this administration in the area of maintenance of law and order, agricultural revolution, our empowerment programmes, changing the outlook of the state in terms of sound environmental planning and beautification etc.With God on our side, I wish to assure the good people of this state that our achievements in the outgoing year are going to be a tip of the ice-berg given the target we have set for ourselves in the 2012 fiscal year. This 2012 budget, which is christened budget of 'Service and Progress' is predicated on the following objectives:' Provision of enabling environment to ensure increase in food production and to encourage agro-allied industries with substantial participation of the private sector' Reconstruction of social infrastructure, economic and the industrial base of the state' Creation of conducive economic environment that ensures job creation and empowerment of youths and women'Promotion of culture of excellence and conducive work environment in the state's public service'Development of opportunities for wealth creation through tourism and culture' Promotion of industrial peace and social political harmony that would lead to revitalisation of commerce and restoration of wealth' Restoration of healthy living to the people of Osun State through the provision of affordable, effective and quality healthcare for all' Promotion of functional education by improving basic educational infrastructure and by enhancing capacity of teachers at all levels'Promotion of clean environment and healthy living; and' Reformation of commerce by ensuring standardisation of weight and measure.The governor explained that the size of the draft 2012 budget is N146.7 billion and highlighted some of the objectives. One of these is agriculture and rural development.His words, 'it is incontestable that agriculture is the mainstay of the economy of this state as over 70 per cent of our population is engaged in all forms of farming enterprises. Consequently, our administration will not relent in its efforts to invest massively in food production, security and agriculture.'In the out-going year, we embarked on various programmes geared towards boosting agricultural output in the state.One of such is the land validation exercise carried out in four out of the nine farm settlements in the state to determine the status of the performance of the settlers. This exercise will be extended to all the farm settlements in the next fiscal year.'In order to facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce from the farms, a total of 49 kilometres access and 25 kilometres feeder roads were constructed during the year to link the farm settlements with the urban centres. The affected settlements are Mokore, Esa-Oke/Esa-Odo, Iwo/Patara and Orile-Owu/Ago-Owu. The state government will intensify its efforts in the provision of access/feeder roads in the rural areas in 2012.Through the Osun State Agricultural Corporation, a total of 2,683 hectares of farmland were tractorised for farmers across the state at subsidised rates.This gesture will continue unabated in the next financial year. The state government is also poised to prepare 8,000 hectares of farmland and also open up 5,000 hectares of virgin land for farming across the state in 2012.In terms of empowerment of our farmers, a total of 3,776 farmers' co-operative groups were registered in the out-going year out which 66 of them benefited from N153 million loan disbursed by the state government under its quick impact intervention programme.It is also gratifying to inform this House and the good people of this state that 2012 will witness bumper production of broilers through the Osun Poultry Grower Production Scheme, a tripartite arrangement involving the state government, an agric concern (Scheme Manager) and the Poultry Association of Nigeria. About N340 million has been disbursed out of the N1 billion loan obtained under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme.A large number of poultry farmers in the state who benefited from the scheme in the out-going year will also be opportune through the scheme to expand their poultry farms under a well-guaranteed market for their broiler production in the coming year.Similarly, a total sum of N621 million was released during the year for the procurement of modern agro-inputs, which include 3,580.00 metric tonnes of fertiliser, 14.68 metric tonnes of improved maizeand rice seeds and various quantities of agro chemicals.Apart from the 42.50 per cent subsidy provided by the State Government, farmers were also granted loan pending harvesting and marketing of their produce to be able to buy fertiliser.Apart from the free education programme at the primary and secondary levels, he said, this administration has made remarkable achievements in the educational sub-sector. For instance, the Home Grown School Feeding and Health Programme has been resuscitated and rechristened Elementary School Free Feeding Programme. With the resuscitation of the programme, all the pupils in primaries 1 - 3 in our public schools are now covered under our Free Feeding Programme. In addition, the poor condition of the infrastructure in our public schools is already being upgraded.Furthermore, in order to combat the perennial acute shortage of teachers in our schools and concomitantly ensure effective teaching and learning activities in schools, this administration has commenced the process of employing 8,000 qualified and competentteachers selected from Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), the voluntary teachers and PTA teachers across the state. This process will be completed within the first quarter of 2012.The state government has also abrogated all forms of charges in our public schools. To achieve effectiveness in teaching and learning, the examination and running grants being released quarterly by the government to public secondary schools in the state have been increased by over 300 per cent. Our administration will continue to give the deserved attention to the welfare of teachers in 2012.Within the short time of this administration in office, the State Library Board has received the full attention of government, particularly in the provision of conducive working environment, a situation which has positively impacted on its services to the reading public. The Library Board will continue to receive the support of government in the ensuing year.We are also going to revive the State Scholarship Board in the next fiscal year. Financial assistance will be given to deserving, indigent but financially challenged and outstanding students from this state to obtain higher education at home and abroad. There will be revival of old boys and girls associations and voluntary clubs in all primary and secondary schools for leadership training and team-spirit building.Realising the importance of this sub-sector, a total allocation of N13.7 billion or 18.08 per cent of the total capital budget has been provided in the 2012 budget.It should be noted, however, that government's spending on health is not limited to the sectoral allocation alone. Spending on environment, job creation and poverty alleviation and other programmes of government that promote the welfare and happiness of the people will definitely impact positively on health.Talking aboutindustrialisation, the governor said that the level of industrialisation of the state of Osun is still at low ebb in spite of the fact of its 20 years of existenceAs a government, he said, our major role is to create the conducive environment for the thriving of industries in the state. This we shall do with tenacity of purpose in 2012 by providing necessary infrastructure like good road networks across the state, regular electricity supply, regular water supply and the like.Our government is prepared to partner with reliable and worthy investors desirous of establishing their industries in the state.The governor now called on entrepreneurs and investors to come and establish their businesses in Osun State. We are ready to partner with you. We guarantee access road, electricity & water to prospective promoters of businesses, who will like to invest in Osun. Apart from the advantage of its good geographical location, with its serene environment, Osun has one of the lowest crime rates in the federation.Our commitment to the development of integrated industrial estates for mini, micro and large manufacturing industries will be pursued with vigour in the 2012 fiscal year. The existing industrial estates in Osogbo and Ilesa received the deserved attention of government in the current fiscal year. The contract for the rehabilitation of the road network and drainages within Ilesa Industrial Estate costing N95.3 million was awarded during the year and the progress of work has been very satisfactory. Work is also in progress on the electrification of the estate.The collaboration between the state government and the Bank of Industry in providing micro credits for the operators of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) will continue unabated in the ensuing year.Currently, 26 co-operative groups and three small and medium enterprises have benefited from the scheme. It is hoped that more SME operators will take the advantage of the fund to expand the present scope of their business operations in the coming year.It is noteworthy that field tracing exercise was completed on Osun/Kwara and Osun/Ogun inter-state boundaries. Another major achievement of government was the continuation of the on-going aerial mapping and establishment of Geospatial/Land information system (GIS/LIS) for the entire state.A total sum ofN588.5 million had been committed into the project. The digital mapping project is desired to facilitate development programmes for socio-economic development, boundary resolution (inter and intra), tourism promotion, property valuation and revaluation for effective public service delivery system among others.The state government will continue to give necessary financial support in the coming year towards the completion of the projects.Concerning rural and urban housing, the governor said under-provision of residential buildings for workers and indeed the people of Osun State is an issue for reality for which the government is very much concerned. It is our opinion however that a project like this can only be handled under Public Private Partnership arrangement.The state government is hereby reaching out through this medium to estate developers to come to the state to invest in the housing sector. Under the scheme, government is ready to provide land as equity while the developers will complete the structures under mutually agreed terms.Concerningrural and community development, the governor said, government alone cannot be saddled with the socio-economic development of the state. All the communities in the state should also see themselves as stakeholders and join hands with the government in its task of building the state.On our own part, we shall continue to encourage the various communities to embark on self-help projects across the state. During the out-going year, a sizeable amount of money was approved for distribution to 151 self-help projects in the 30 local government areas including the Area Office to complement their efforts. The state government will continue to be more involved in the next fiscal year.During the out-going year, a total sum of N89.9 millionwas released to many rural electrification contractors, who completed their projects in different locations in the state. In 2012, the state government will also pursue with vigour and determination the completion of all on-going rural electrification projects in the state. Few new critical ones will also be embarked upon.Adequate budgetary allocation has been made in the 2012 budget for this project.Concerninginformation and youth development, Aregbesola said thatthe administration will continue to ensure free and regular flow of information between the government and the people of the state. Lack of information or inadequate information breeds mutual misunderstanding between the government and the governed.We will always ensure that you are carried along as usual in the New Year in respect of the programmes and policies of our government.Concerning tourism and culture, the governor said this administration has put tourism in the front burner in terms of its enormous potentials.In the same vein, the state government will continue to give necessary support in the next fiscal year to the development of tourism and culture.In the outgoing year, we left no one in doubt of our commitment to serious cultural rebirth and development by consciously identifying culture as one of the six priority areas of development, not only as a sub-sector that has the potential of contributing to the economic and social development of the state, but also as a revenue earner.Concerningwomen development and gender matters, Aregbesola said that the current administration in the state of Osun will continue in the next fiscal year to accord necessary attention to issues affecting women. In particular, skill acquisition programme targeted at equipping the women towards becoming self employed and self-reliant will be organised for our women in the coming year.On rural and urban transportation, the governor said thatthe target of the government in 2012 is to complete all on-going road projects, which had long been abandoned by previous governments after payment of mobilisation fees.On local government, chieftaincy and community development, the governor said that the local governments are no longer places where contracts are awarded to amass wealth.Service delivery per excellence is now our watchword, a number of developmental projects have been embarked upon in all the local governments for our teeming people to feel the positive impact of government.The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is hereby charged to step up value-for-money monitoring process to ensure that these projects are not only executed to specifications, but are also completed on time for our people to enjoy. Many more of such projects will be executed at the Local Government level next fiscal year.Absenteeism and ghost workers.Government is also in the process of automating the payroll of the local government staff. This is intended to create a data-base bank for detailed information on all the workers as well as the production of a uniform and computerised Identity Card for workers and pensioners in the local governments of the state of Osun.Onyouths, sportsand special needs, the governor said he would continue to encourage the development of sports in all its ramifications in the next fiscal year.Oncommunication, information & technology, the governor stated thatthere is a lot to be done to get to the desired level of ICT development in the state public service.It is the commitment of our administration to introduce e-governance both in the state public service and in the Local Government Service. No matter the level of decay in the ICT infrastructure we inherited from the immediate past administration, we shall not be discouraged. The coming financial year will certainly witness massive reconstruction and development of our ICT.He advisedall civil servants to update their computer use and appreciation, otherwise they will become irrelevant in the nearest future WAEC past questions.The concept behind this is to inculcate the habit of personal development in the individual students with the ultimate aim of improving their performance in public examinations. Each student can always pick up his laptop, and go through the relevant subjects already packaged into the software and do the relevant exercises ahead of the class'Our Administration accords top priority attention to the payment of pension of all categories of pensioners in the state. Retirees are now regularly placed on pension payroll as soon as they submit their pension authority papers, hence there are no unpaid pension arrears in this state. Between January and September, 2011, government has expended a sum N2.8 billion on the payment of pension and gratuities to retirees.In realisation of the need to alleviate the sufferings of the retirees, therefore, the government of the state of Osun approved an upward review of the monthly release from N35 million to N120 million. Sufficient allocation has been made in the 2012 budget to meet the financial obligations of government both on the old and new pension schemes.
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