Godwin Obaseki signs N150bn budget for 2018

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Friday signed the N150bn 2018 Appropriation Bill passed by the state House of Assembly into law.

The 2018 budget estimate, which was pegged at N146billion by the governor, was increased by over N3bn by the lawmakers on December 21 to allow for more infrastructure and agricultural projects.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the sum of N1bn was appropriated for livestock production and fisheries, while another one billion was retained for job creation.

Speaking during a ceremony at the Government House in Benin, the governor said that the speedy passage of the appropriation bill reflected the harmony between the state executive and legislative arms of government.

He also assured that his administration had set a target of, at least, 95 per cent level of performance for the budget.

He said, “We cannot express our gratitude enough as an executive arm of government for this unique and historic event of the signing of our appropriation bill before the end of the year. I cannot recall when this sort of thing occurred in Edo State in the last seven to eight years.

“This portends a lot of good things to come. It shows the seriousness of both arms of government and, more importantly, it shows that we are working together in the interest of the people of Edo State.

“The House is totally aligned with us and agrees with the principle of our budget, which is growth. This is taking a cue from what is happening at the centre; we have to invest in areas that will help us grow the economy, create jobs and improve the revenue of government.”

Obaseki stated that the N1bn retained for employment creation would assist the government to train young men and women and match them with jobs, as part of its  programme to create a minimum of 200,000 jobs within four years.

“This is important because, as you know, we have a lot of initiatives in this regard, especially as it relates to the resettlement programme we have for persons who were trafficked and have now returned, as well as the young people we are encouraging to go into entrepreneurship.



“So, you are not just aligned with us as a government, you are aligned with the principle and thinking on which this administration is anchored,” the governor added.

In his remark, the Speaker, Mr. Kabiru Adjoto, said that the increase in the budget figures was to enable the government to drive its developmental goals without financial hitches.

He also stated that the parliament had identified areas of growth and made minor adjustments in the interest of the citizens, particularly in agriculture and infrastructure.