Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has presented the 2016 budget proposal of N111.5 billion to the House of Assembly.
Tagged: Budget of Finishing Well, the 2016 budget proposal is 12.6 per cent lower than this year’s budget, which was revised downward to N127.01 billion.
Oshiomhole said the “reduction is in line with the economic realities, especially developments in the international oil market and dwindling inflows from the Federation Account”.
The governor said the policy focus of next year’s budget proposal is the completion or near completion of roads and rehabilitation projects.
He said roads would be given priority next year.
Oshiomhole said Capital Expenditure would take N58.9 billion, representing 52.84 per cent, while the proposed Recurrent Expenditure is N52.6 billion, representing 47.16 per cent.
A breakdown of the budget shows that Education and Health take the lion’s share of N14 billion each, followed by Road Infrastructure, N9.24 billion and Flood and Erosion Control, N8 billion.
Oshiomhole said: “This administration is working on the designs for the following seven gully erosion sites: 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 GRA, covering about nine square kilometres, is at advanced stage. Also, designs for Urora community in Benin and Igbe Quarters in Auchi are being carried out.”