Governor Fayose has appropriated a whooping amount to his much publicized "Stomach Infrastructure" programme in a budget proposal he presented to the Ekiti State House of Assembly for the 2016 fiscal year.
Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose
On Tuesday, Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, presented a budget proposal of N67 billion to the State House of Assembly for the 2016 fiscal year.
While presenting the budget, Gov.Fayose said the figure represents a 17% reduction in the 2015 appropriation, which was N80 billion. According to him, the cut was informed by his government’s decision to live within its means and avoid proposing unrealizable projects.
In a shocking disclosure, the governor appropriated N100 million to his 'Stomach Infrastructure' programme, and also restored the scrapped 'Social Security Scheme' for the indigent, which was initiated by the Kayode Fayemi-led government.
Gov. Fayose said 10,000 persons would continue to receive the sum of N5, 000 monthly from January, 2016.
Giving the details of the budget tagged "Budget of Purposeful and Strategic Transformation", Gov. Fayose said N24 billion and N44 billion were earmarked for capital and recurrent expenditures respectively.
Under the capital expenditure, Gov. Fayose said the proposed airport, Oja Oba Market and the Flyover would become realities in 2016, being part of his efforts to give Ekiti a befitting facelift.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the huge recurrent figure of N43 billion, saying it was to enable him cater for workers’ welfare, which is a priority of his government.
Gov. Fayose said he recorded a 70% budget performance in 2015, despite the dwindling revenues caused by slump in oil prices in the international market.