Biodun Esan, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday presented the sum of N540,368,119,765.00 as the appropriation bill before the parliament.
In the 2025 budget, capital expenditure gulps 62.1 per cent, while recurrent expenditure gets 37.9 per cent.
Presenting the appropriation bills, Governor AbdulRazaq said the budget was premised on projected oil prices of $75 per barrel, daily oil production of 2.06 million barrels, and 6.4 per cent GDP growth.
He added that the budget is expected to be funded through Federal Allocations, which constitute 48.1 per cent of the total budget; and opening balance (N62bn), Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and other capital receipts that form the balance of 51.9 per cent.
AbdulRazaq told the legislators that the social sector would get 32.50 per cent of the budget, while education would get 16.2 per cent, and health would receive 10.56 per cent.
According to him, the 2025 budget made provision for the take-off of the new university of education, while existing institutions across the state would be strengthened.
The Governor added that the Ministry of Works and Transport will get 17.51 per cent of the budget to carry on its massive road construction and maintenance mandate.
He added that the budget will complete the major infrastructural projects across the state and fund new ones, such as 250 units of mass housing and inner roads in the smart city.
The stadia in Offa and Lafiagi are also prioritised in the budget, while new roads are to be constructed in Kwara South, North, and Central to further ease the movement of goods and services within the state, according to the Governor.
He said construction work will begin on a multi-story courthouse, the best of its kind in the northern region, while the Metropolitan Square will be upgraded and completed.
The 2025 budget reflects our commitment to delivering on promises as resources permit just as the 2024 budget brought significant benefits to various sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social protection.
“In 2024, we supported 171,649 farmers, invested in irrigation systems, and provided N2.2bn worth of farm inputs.
“We also funded education for 66,000 entrance exam candidates, 58,420 BECE candidates, 28,500 WAEC candidates, and 27,000 NECO candidates.
“Over 70,000 vulnerable people received social protection, including those impacted by the urban renewal programme.
“Additionally, 15,000 indigent Kwarans benefited from free medical interventions.
“The urban renewal programme has transformed the capital city, improving its infrastructure significantly, restoring law and order, and projecting Ilorin as a modern city,” the Governor said.
The Governor celebrated the prudence of his administration, saying, “While the year recorded unprecedented investment in physical infrastructure and social welfare, we similarly reduced the debt burden of the state to N58.87 billion in the third quarter, down from N109.16 billion in December 2023.
“I thank the Honourable House, party leaders, and all our partners for their support.
“The budget of economic stability and sustained prosperity funds the completion of ongoing projects like the international conference centre, innovation hub, Patigi Motel, Kwara Hotel, and several roads across the state.
“Construction will begin on the multi-story courthouse and access roads for the Smart City project, alongside the development of 250 mass housing units. Statewide road construction and the reconstruction of Lafiagi and Offa Stadia are also prioritised.
“Further, we are committed to workers’ welfare, social protection for the poor, and strengthening mechanised agriculture with the procurement of modern equipment.”
Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, in his remarks, commended the strides of the Governor across the state and assured him of speedy and thorough consideration of the fiscal proposal.
“Your administration is known for transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline.
“It is also observed with satisfaction the level of your commitment to the completion of all the legacy projects of the administration, and we are confident that they will be completed and put to use in no time.
“I must also mention that it is gratifying to note that aside from adequate funding of these legacy projects, your administration remains focused on providing the dividends of democracy to different parts of the state in all sectors,” the speaker added.
The Speaker said the state’s investment in the payment of counterpart funds to development partners has bolstered its standing in education, health, and agricultural sectors.
“On our part as legislators, we will immediately swing into action by looking at the document and interact with heads of ministries, departments, and agencies at the defence sessions that will be underway shortly,” he said.
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