Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole out with N111.5Billion as 2016 Budget

I Laugh
The Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole
has presented the state’s 2016 budget of
N111.5 billion to the state House of Assembly
for approval.
Tagged ''Budget of Finishing Well'', the 2016
budget is 12.6% lower than the 2015 budget
which was revised downward to N127.01 billion
from N159.40 billion due to economic realities.
While presenting the budget, Governor said the
''reeduction is in line with current economic
realities, especially developments in the
international oil market and the dwindling
inflows from the Federation Account.''
He said the policy focus of the Year 2016
Budget is the completion or near completion of
on-going road construction/rehabilitation
projects across the State. Noting that roads at
various stages of completion will be accorded
priority.
Capital expenditure will take N58.9 billion
representing 52.84% of the total budget, while
the proposed recurrent expenditure is N52.6
billion representing 47.16% of the budget.
A breakdown of the budget shows that
Education and Health sub-sectors take the lion
share of the budget with N14 billion each
followed byroads infrastructure at N9.24 billion
and Flood and erosion control at N8 billion.
The Governor assured people of the state that..
''In 2016 Fiscal year, efforts would be geared
towards substantial completion of all the
outstanding Storm Water projects across the
State, the completion of the Auchi, Queen Ede
and Ekekhuan Gully Erosion remediation
projects, substantial completion of all current
streetlight projects and institutionalization of the
process of maintenance of all built
infrastructure, streetlights, drains etc.
''This administration is currently working on
the designs for the following seven gully erosion
sites approved: Ibore, Ewu, Emu, Ogiso/Osunde,
Ambrose Alli University (AAU), and Auchi
Agenebode Road gully erosion sites.
''The designs of Flood and Erosion Control
Structures for Gapiona/Adesuwa Grammar
School road to de-flood the Western part of the
Benin City GRA, covering about 9 square
kilometres is at advanced stage. Also designs
for Urora Community in Benin City and Igbe
Quarters in Auchi are being carried out.''
On funding for the budget, Governor Oshiomhole
said ''it is now a common knowledge that given
the vagaries in the international oil market, we
can no longer depend on the revenue from
federal sources to implement our development
agenda.
''Therefore, it is imperative for this
administration to look inward through expansion
of our internal revenue base. In Year 2016,
focused attention will be given to the
actualization of new revenue sources such as
the Land Use Charge and the automation of
revenue collection process via the
implementation of Integrated Tax Administration
System (ITAS).
''It is our desire to sustain the sensitization of
our people to see the need for prompt payment
of taxes in order to execute the laudable people-
oriented programmes/projects of this
administration. On our part as Government,
committed to the principles of transparency and
accountability, let me assure you that we will
make judicious use of all revenues at our
disposal. While we remain true to our pledge, I
wish to appeal once again to all and sundry not
to politicise this important issue that borders on
civic responsibility and our collective survival as
a State and as a people.''