2009 BUDGET SPEECH DELIVERED BY MR. GOVERNOR OF EKITI STATE, ENGR. SEGUN ADEBAYO ONI TO THE EKITI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ON 30TH DECEMBER, 2008

The Right Honourable Speaker,

The Honourable Deputy Speaker,

The Honourable Members of the House,

Mr. Deputy Governor,

Exco Members Present,

The Clerk of the House,

Gentlemen of the Press,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

The maiden budget of this administration was presented to this August body on 14^th December, 2007.  The Budget tagged “Budget of New Beginning” almost tripled the size of the 2007 budget.  To justify the high figure before this Honourable House then, I did mention that Ekiti State needed urgent surgical intervention that will make it a point of reference in the nation.  I am happy within me today, that this administration has been able to accomplish this objective to a high degree within 18 months.  The battered economy is being put into a good shape while our environment is now investors friendly.  There is massive diversification of the economy which will not only improve the IGR of the state but equally elevate the socio-economic status of the people of the state.  The society is being empowered through micro-credit facilities, and above all, there is total restoration of peace in the land.  The 2009 budget which is tagged budget of consolidation will aim at consolidating all past achievements and set a pace for future sustainable growth and development. 

Mr. Speaker, distinguished honourable members of the House, let me stress the importance of this document and the effort my administration has put into its preparation.  It is important to note that the stake- holders met on 1^st September, 2008.  All the relevant suggestions at the meeting were incorporated into the document to represent the views of the people.  Quality time was also spent with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the Pre-Treasury Board meetings as well as the Treasury Board meetings before the final consideration of the Executive Council.  The tedious procedure was painstakingly followed to make it the budget of the people.

Permit me to mention too that the 2009 budget takes a cue from the direction of the Federal Government budget in the sense that the budget is a bit tight due to global economic downturn. The crisis in the Niger Delta coupled with the rapid fall in the price of crude oil in the international market will drastically reduce the allocation from the Federation Account.  Towards this end, our administration has adopted the Federal Government benchmark crude oil price of 45 USDollar per barrel for the preparation of the 2009 budget as against the 59 US Dollar per barrel used in preparing the 2008 budget.  By implication, the statutory allocation, VAT and other funds expected from the Federation Account will decline considerably.  To meet up with the future challenges arising from the fall in revenue from the Federation Account, the state government has sensitized all MDAs to be creative and aggressive in internal revenue drive.

REVIEW OF THE 2008 BUDGET

Mr. Speaker, distinguished Honourable Members, I wish to review the performance of year 2008 budget before I highlight the proposed 2009 budget. As you would all recall, the 2008 budget as approved by this Honourable House on 28^th February 2008 was N81,428,834,960.14.  This is made up of recurrent expenditure of N25,183,326,409 or 31% and capital expenditure of N56,245,508,551.14 or 69%.  A 5 plus 7 budget review was carried out by this administration to ascertain the performance of the budget, re-align priorities and to re-allocate funds to some vital projects that could enhance better development of the state.  The review exercise which was historical was rated high by the people of the state and the various publics.  The re-alignment and adjustment of the budget which received the blessing of this Honourable House brought down the size of the 2008 budget from N81,428,834,960.14 to N80,713,885,080.94 in a revised appropriation signed into law only on November 24, 2008.

(a)                 2008 Revenue Performance:  The performance of the 2008 revenue as at 3oth November, 2008 is illustrated in table I.  The total fund expected as revenue from the statutory allocation, Value Added Tax (VAT) and Excess Crude oil in the period under review was N37,072,866,913.61. A sum of N29,571,567,205.54 or 79.77% of this amount was actually received in the period.  The N56,826,422,904.20 or 86% performance recorded in total revenue was as  a result of the N18,665,360,000 transferred from 2007 budget to 2008. On Internally Generated Revenue, we are working assiduously to make Ekiti State financially stable. By the end of June 2008, we had recorded more than a tripling of the figures of 2007 for the same period. Our expectation is that year-end figures will be at least double that of last year at about N4billion. Our projection for 2009 is to further increase IGR by about 150% to N10.5billion. Our long-term objective is to ensure that our IGR will at least fully fund the cost of running government.

(b) 2008 Expenditure Performance:  The performance of the budget on both the recurrent and capital expenditures as at 30^th November, 2008 are shown in table II.  The recurrent expenditure recorded a higher percentage  performance of 100.3% while the capital expenditure performance in the period under review stood at 47.2%.  It is apposite to mention that this administration cleared all the backlogs of the entitlements of all the past political office holders between 1999 - 2007 as shown in table III. The Capital Expenditure performance is better in the last half of the year because of the heightened budget implementation which is also aided by weather changes.  Generally, the percentage performance of both the recurrent and capital expenditure as at 30th November, 2008 was 63.6%.

THE YEAR 2009 BUDGET

The focus of the year 2009 budget is the continued development of physical and socio-economic infrastructure.   There is a conscious and deliberate effort by this administration to positively touch the lives of the people of the state.  You will agree with me that in the last eighteen months this administration has been able to lay a solid socio-economic development foundation for a state that has suffered serious neglect in the past.  This turn-around process has not been easy considering the meager resources at our disposal.  With God on our side, it is our aim to consolidate these gains in the interest of the good people of the state through efficient and transparent deployment of available resources.

OBJECTIVES OF THE BUDGET 2009

With the preceding situation at the back of our minds, I wish to state here that the policy thrust in 2009 fiscal year will include:

(i)                  Expansion of the internal revenue base through a pragmatic approach;

(ii)                Reduction in the level of unemployment with the ultimate goal of alleviating poverty;

(iii)               Improvement in the quality and functionality of education;

(iv)              Promotion of economic activities through support for Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSME);

(v)                Maintenance of effective, efficient and well motivated public service for enhanced productivity;

(vi)              Close supervision and monitoring of all government projects;

(vii)             Ensuring budget discipline through proper utilization and monitoring of income and expenditure of government;

(viii)     Increasing the effectiveness, functionality and infrastructure of the health sector with a view to improving the quality of health care delivery;

(ix)              Improvement in Socio-Economic infrastructure such as rural/urban roads, rural/urban water supply and rural electrification;

(x)                Provision of enabling environment for food security and agro-based industries with immense private sector participation; and,

(xi)              Strengthening of existing government institutions and the creation of socially desirable new institutions.

REVENUE PROJECTIONS

The size of the year 2009 budget is  N65,797,397,180.26.

The expected revenue shall accrue from the following sources:-

The total amount projected for statutory allocation, VAT and FAAC argumentation is N25,240,000,000.00, 38% lower than  the about N40,000,000,000.00 projected for the same sources in the 2008 budget.    In other words, the 2009 budget will be very tight and no room will be given to wasteful spending as usual.

RECURRENT EXPENDITURE

A total sum of N24,772,797,000.00  has been earmarked for the recurrent expenditure of government in the next fiscal year.  This represents 38% of the total 2009 budget. 

With this, government expects to meet the following obligations:

Mr. Speaker sir, we have been consistent in our effort on the provision of developmental projects that will continue to raise the standard of living of our people and improve their economic well being.  We will pursue this policy vigorously, within the limits of available resources, in 2009. This is why we have contained recurrent expenditure proportion within the international best practice convention of “a maximum of 40% of total expenditure despite the size of the budget, and at a time when many socially desirable public institutions are either being strengthened or created and workers better motivated to serve our people better”. In effect, we have continued to bring down the relative cost of running government in an environment of good governance. 

Deliberate efforts will continue to be made on payment of pensions and gratuities of retirees in contrast to the neglect by previous administrations, an act which plunged most of the pensioners to avoidable penury. All arrears of pensions and gratuities have been settled by this administration and we shall continue to pay the required attention to the welfare of pensioners. To this effect, a sum of N1,400,000,000.00 has been set aside for payment of pensions and gratuities in 2009. It is important to note that the public service is the engine of Government.  Consequently, the welfare of workers will be accorded high priority.  Apart from the prompt and  regular payment of salaries and allowances, a total sum of N800 million has been set aside in the 2009 budget for the revolving staff loan scheme now consolidated in the office of Establishment and Training.  This amount covers land, housing and car loans available to all Civil Servants, Teachers and officials in the parastatals. This brings the revolving loan fund to a total of N3.8billion, up by 76% from the total of N0.9billion at the end of 2006.  We shall also embark on capacity building of all categories of public officers in the next fiscal year. Furthermore, in line with the mandate from the Federal Government, effort is in top gear to commence the contributory pensions scheme in 2009 in Ekiti State.  This calls for additional responsibility on the part of the state government and the understanding and support of all stakeholders.

TABLE VI : WORKERS` REVOLVING LOAN SCHEME VOLUME

(Index of Workers` Welfare)

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

Honourable Members, the general focus of our administration next year is to build on the physical and developmental programmes so far put in place by this administration in the last 18 months. We have resolved to liberate our people from the clutches of poverty and diseases through the provision of

developmental programmes at every part of the state.  In pursuance of these lofty objectives, a sum of N41,024,600,180.26 or 62% of the total budget has been allocated to capital projects in the year 2009 budget. 

This amount is distributed sectorally as follows:-

ECONOMIC SECTOR        

            The sub-sectors of the economic sector are :

            (i)         Agriculture and Rural Development                  

(ii)                Energy

            (iii)       Commerce and Industries        

(iv)       Tourism and Culture    

            (v)        Works and Infrastructure                                             

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

(i)         Honourable members, in the last 18 months of the existence of this administration, we have invested substantial amount of resources in agriculture and the development of the rural areas.  This is because, Ekiti State is largely an agrarian state and as such, the importance of agriculture to our people cannot be over-emphasized.  The fact that over 70% of our people are rural farmers has continued to determine the disposition of this administration to Agriculture.  To further improve Agriculture in the state, a total sum of N1,548,318,750.00 will be spent on capital projects in Agriculture and  Rural Development in year 2009.  This represents 3.77% of the total capital budget.  The Agricultural Development Project (ADP) has remained very important and relevant in the area of agricultural extension in the rural areas.  It is in support of this that this government is channeling the sum of N162,208,250.00 for ADP capital projects in addition to the proposed subvention of N130,000,000.00 allocated to the Agency in the 2009 budget.  Our desire to develop the rural areas of the state is to strengthen the industrial and economic base of the state.  To this effect, a sum of N675,000,000 has been provided in the 2009  estimates for the execution of the following key capital projects in the rural areas.

i.                     Reconstruction of 240km of rural

roads,  ring and box culverts and

lined drains                                                                   N326,625,000

ii.                   Provision of 220 lined hand dug

wells with hand pumps                          N80,000,000

iii.                  Provision of Rural Recreation/

viewing centers in the three

Senatorial Districts                                            N7,500,000

ENERGY

Mr. Speaker, and the Honourable members, the greatest challenge facing this state is the issue of electricity.  It was so bad when this administration came on board that it required   being tackled from all fronts.   This administration will not relent on achievements recorded so far in improving the level of electricity supply to Ekiti State.  Our experimentation on solar power is yielding result while attention will also be focused on other alternative sources of power.  To actualize the lofty dreams of this administration in the power sector, a sum of N214,500,000.00 is projected in the 2009 budget for the State  Electricity Board while assistance shall also be rendered to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in the next fiscal year.

Furthermore, we shall collaborate with the private sector in the course of 2009 to midwife a waste – to – power project and such similar projects aimed at providing electricity to our people and support our quest for industrialization.

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

The Present Civilian Administration in Ekiti State is determined to break the vicious cycle of poverty in the state by providing an enabling environment that would promote micro, small, medium and large scale industries in the State.  To further ensure that government companies are run efficiently and effectively, Government has commercialized, by way of leases, the Fountain Hotels at Ado-Ekiti, ROMACO at Igbemo and Ekiti-Kete Mass Transit Company. The Fountain Dairy at Ikun and the Brick Factory at Ire are being resuscitated for privatization. Both will come alive during the course of 2009.By the grace of God, milk will flow out of the Fountain Dairy in the first quarter of 2009 in view of the progress being made on the project.  To ensure adequate transfer of knowledge in brick making and usage to our young ones, a technical school has been ear-marked for location at Ire Ekiti that will specialize in brick technology.

Furthermore, it is the plan of this administration to establish yam export facilities at Ilasa-Ekiti at a cost of N75million in partnership with private investors.  Also, a Cassava Industry is being cited at Ikole Ekiti in partnership with indigenous industrialists. Government Counterpart Cash Contribution (GCCC) for Federal Cooperative Intervention Programme at a sum of N75million and another sum of N187,500,000.00 for Industrial Development Intervention are being  set aside in 2009 budget.  All of these will boost the economy of the state and fight poverty. Aside from the above, government shall continue to play excellently its role of providing the enabling environment for the industrialization of the State as has already begin to yield results in the cases of the two Ethanol Plants under construction at Iyemero and Ilemeso. Both will soon launch EkitiState into the comity of oil producing states.

TOURISM AND CULTURE

Mr. Speaker Sir, we shall continue to promote the culture and the tourism potentials of our state. Consequently, we have set aside the sum of N112,500,000.00 towards the rehabilitation of Ikogosi Warm Spring and Resort in 2009.  Similarly, the Itawure Tourism Project has been earmarked for development at a cost of N75,000,000.00.

Furthermore, we shall provide every necessary encouragement to investors to develop the existing opportunities in the State.

WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, this administration places high premium on infrastructural development.  An attestation to this is the on-going Road Revolution Programme and the extensive construction and rehabilitation of government buildings across the State.

It is noteworthy that the Road Revolution Programme has started yielding results.  Some of the recently commissioned roads in the State include Omuo Township, Ipoti Township, Oke Ayedun-Ipao-Oke Ako-Irele, Ita Ido-Ido Ile & State Hospital-Oke Ila roads.  Hopefully before the year ends, more roads would have been completed and commissioned for use. 

It is the desire of Government to ensure that all roads leading to Ado, the State Capital are dualised.   The dualization of Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki road which was awarded at the contract sum of N6,378,892,543.46 in year 2008  is expected to be completed by the end of 2009. Kindly note that a total sum of N17,060,465,278.50 or 42% of the total capital budget  has been budgeted for road construction in year 2009. The details of the road projects and their cost implications will be given by the Honourable Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development during the presentation of budget analysis. In the same vein, a total sum of N384,871,026.75 is equally allocated to EKROMA for retooling for road construction and maintenance.

It is the goal of this administration that by year 2011, every town and village in Ekiti would have been opened up with a network of good roads.

SOCIAL SERVICES SECTOR:

As we are all aware, one of the pivot of this administration is the provision of Social Services for the generality of our people.  This explains why this sector will continue to attract a substantial part of our resources.  In this light, a sum of N9,211,987,500.00 which represents 22.45% of the total capital budget has been allocated to this sector in year 2009.  This amount will be expended on Health, Education, Information and Social Development.

EDUCATION

A total sum of N4,438,270,000.00 representing 10.8% of the total capital budget has been allocated as capital expenditure in the Education sector in the 2009 budget.  Out of this amount, the sum of N1,073,250,000 or 2.6% of the capital budget is allocated to  the Ministry of Education. To make the education of our children more functional, the School Enterprise Projects will be accorded high priority in the next fiscal year, while sports development shall receive adequate support from government. Despite the unfounded criticism of detractors, we are committed irrevocably to enhancing the nutrition of our pupils for healthy and overall sound development through the school feeding programme which shall receive a further boost in 2009.

This administration recognizes the importance and the potential of information and communication technology in transforming the educational system.  Therefore, in the 2008 revised budget, a sum of N400,000,000.00 was approved for Ekiti Digital Education project  while another N75,000,000.00 has been projected for continuation and completion of the project in the 2009 budget.  In the same vein, we shall intensify efforts in the next fiscal year to provide instructional materials for our schools while massive renovation works will be carried out in all the public schools across the state.

It is also the plan of this administration to commence a continuing Education programme beginning from January 2009.  A provision of N27,000,000.00 has been made in the 2009 budget for effective take off of the programme.

Furthermore, the sum of N305,625,000.00 has been provided in the 2009 capital budget for the Board for Technical and Vocational Education out of which a sum of N112,500,000.00 is set  aside for the establishment of a Technical College at Ire Ekiti while the existing Technical Colleges have been given deserved financial attention in the 2009 budget.   

HIGHER EDUCATION

Despite the lean resources of government, we have continued to fund effectively all the tertiary institutions in the state.  We shall continue to support the institutions and ensure that they remain important citadels of learning and centres of excellence.  The College of Medicine of the University of Ado-Ekiti will take off fully in the 2009 fiscal year.  A sum of N1,990,500,000.00 is allocated to the university for its recurrent and capital expenditure in the 2009 budget.

The University of Education, Ikere and the College of Education, Ifaki shall also received due attention of government.  A provision of N660,000,000.00 and N1,500,000,000.00 respectively are allocated to the  University of Education, Ikere and College of Education, Ifaki in the next fiscal year.  It is also in the plan of this government to establish two (2) schools of Agriculture. For this purpose a sum of N307,500,000.00 has been allocated to the project in the 2009 budget.

HEALTH

Rt. Hon. Speaker, Honourable Members, you will agree with me that the situation in our various health institutions on our assumption of office was not encouraging.  At that time, we had 4 State SpecialistHospitals and 17 General Hospitals which were not more than mere glorified health centres.  There was only one Consultant, a couple of medical officers and Nurses in the hospitals across the state.  This staffing position was grossly inadequate to deliver effective health services. Today, we have turned the situation around for good. We now have over 25 Consultants and we are renovating many Hospitals across the State.

            These investments have paid-off in the following measurable areas, viz:-

(i)                              We are the only Polio free state in South Western Nigeria. Our immunization coverage is 72%;

(ii)                            We won 2 awards given by DFID as the:

(a)                State with the best replicable practice in the Health Sector; and,

(b)               State with the highest improvement in Health facility utilization, having moved from 23% in May 2007 to 54% in April 2008.

(iii)                           We are the state with the first and still the only Drug Mart for public and private drug supply; and,

(iv)                          We are the only State with Emergency Drug Ordering System in Nigeria.

The improvements already achieved will be consolidated and advanced in the course of 2009.

MEDICAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMME.

In our attempt to reposition the health sector, a Health Development Plan was put in place in the State with short and long term plans.  The short-term plan brought about the monthly medical intervention programmes (MIP) which include Eye Camps, Surgical Festivals and Preventive Medications.  Between January and November, 2008 a sum of N164,000,000.00 had been expended on these programmes. I am pleased to inform this honourable house that more than 2,500 of our people with all manners of ailments were operated upon free of charge.  Our Administration received commendations from far and near on these programmes.  I must mention too that 11,150 of our people regained their sight through free surgeries and provision of eye glasses while preventive screening and treatment was carried out on 601,414 people in the State.  Information confirmed it that this programme had touched at least 1 out of 2 families in our dear state as of mid 2008.

The Long-Term component of the State health plan is also being pursued vigorously through adequate investment in preventive medicine and the improvement in the capacity of our health system to make excellent medicare available to the people.

ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL

We equally actualized our vision of bringing a tertiary health institution to the state by the Establishment of a University Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti.  This Hospital will be developed to rank tall with other Teaching Hospitals in the Country.  As at today, the Hospital has employed 27 Consultants (out of which 26 have resumed) in various fields of medicine.

DEVELOPMENT OF ONE GENERAL HOSPITAL PER LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Akin to the above is our intention to improve on the various structures in our General Hospitals in the State and lift them to millennium standards.  At present, work has begun in the following General Hospitals: Ifaki Ekiti, Efon-Alaaye Ekiti, Ijesa-Isu Ekiti, Ilawe-Ekiti and State Specialist Hospital Ijero.   A sum of N579,744,946.95 has been committed on these projects.  Mr. Speaker sir, Honourable members, I can assure you that work will begin in the following hospitals in the first quarter of year 2009 -  General Hospitals at Ijan-Ekiti, Omuo – Ekiti, Aramoko – Ekiti, Iyin – Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, and Iye-Ekiti.  Also, a sum of N300,000,000.00 has also been budgeted for the establishment of a new General Hospital in Ado-Ekiti  in year 2009.

ESTABLISHMENT OF BLUE CENTRES

In our attempt to meet the objetives of the Millennium Development Goals towards the reduction of maternal mortality, infant mortality and under 5 mortality, this Administration intends to establish a chain of hospitals code-named Blue Centers in every political ward of the state.  By this, it is believed that health care delivery will reach the grassroot.   A primary Health Bureau has been established to oversee these centers, and the programme.

EKITI STATE AMBULANCE SERVICES                                   

It is equally our desire to develop and establish a Rapid Response Ambulance Service to meet emergency services throughout Ekiti State.  This will reduce avoidable deaths due to late access to emergency medical services.  Ambulance bays are under construction at Ago-Aduloju (Ado-Ekiti) Omuo-Ekiti, Itawure, Efon-Alaaye, Otun-Ekiti, Ifaki-Ekiti and Igbara-odo Ekiti, while eight Ambulances have been procured.  The Ekiti State Ambulance Services will commence full operations in the first quarter of 2009.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPECIALST EYE CENTRE AT IFAKI-EKITI

The State Government will make the Ultra-Modern Opthalmolgical Centre in Ifaki Ekiti operational next year.  A sum of N374,517,387.30 was expended on eye equipment in 2008 while a further sum of N300,000,000.00 has  been provided in the year 2009 budget for the completion of the project.

Mr. Speaker Sir, distinguished honourable members of the house, a total sum of N4,876,337,000.00 will be expended on both recurrent and capital expenditure in the health sector in year 2009 in furtherance of our long term plans of preventive and curative medical service delivery to every citizen of Ekiti. This represents 7.4% of the total budget.

INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICE OF EKITI STATE

This government is not unaware of various problems confronting our broadcasting service and every effort is being put in place to address them.  A sum of N735,000,000.00 is allocated for both the recurrent and capital expenditure of the Broadcasting service of Ekiti State in year 2009. Of particular mention is the proposed allocation of N127,500,000.00 for procurement of Outside Broadcasting Van, while N135,000,000.00 is set aside for the purchase of  transmitters.  The State Government will also expend a sum of N180,000,000.00 for the installation and commissioning of IKW transposer stations. Furthermore, the construction of the Broadcasting House complex will receive N75,000,000.00.

The State Government Printing Press will be given due attention in the next fiscal year.  A sum of N15,000,000,00 has been earmarked in the 2009 budget for the procurement of a  modern digital printing machine. All of the above are aimed at keeping our people adequately and timely informed and mobilized for political, social, and economic transformation.

SPORTS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

I am delighted to inform this august House that our government has a special passion for sports. In order to develop sports at the grassroot, this administration engaged three (3) consultants of international repute.  They are to assist to develop the youths of the State in athletics, foot-ball and tennis.  We will continue to support this noble cause and ensure that our sport men and women win laurels at both national and international competitions.

It is also the desire of this administration to make Olukayode Stadium a model.  In furtherance of this, the sum of N562,500,000.00  has been set aside in the 2009 budget for phase 1 of the rehabilitation intended for the stadium while another sum of N131,250,000.00 will be expended on the construction of lawn/table tennis in the sports academy.

WOMEN AFFAIRS AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Speaker sir, since the inception of this administration, we have not only worked hard at ensuring the social integration of women, children and youths into the mainstream of the society, we have continuously supported various activities that are capable of bringing positive changes to the society.  We shall remain focused in the promotion of the interest of women and children in all ramifications.  The state government through the Ministry of Women Affairs facilitated the employment of 58 Persons With Disability (PWD) and disbursed micro-credit facilities to 19 PWD and other vulnerable groups.  Over 355 women were trained in leadership, assertiveness and skill acquisition at grass-roots in the state.  Similar projects that will further transform the lives of Ekiti women and children shall be implemented in year 2009.

ENVIRONMENTAL SECTOR

The environmental sector shall receive adequate attention of government in year 2009.  This is why a total sum of N1,602,375,000 or 3.91% of  the total capital budget is allocated for capital expenditure in the sector in year 2009.

A sum of N112,500,000 shall be expended on land acquisition and payment of compensation while another N112,500,000 shall be devoted to acquisition, development and management of Landed properties. N165,000,000.00 shall be expended on the development of GRA II model estate, at Ado-Ekiti. The construction of motor parks shall receive N75,000,000.00. This administration shall also spend another N75,000,000 in year 2009 on tree planting and beautification of urban centers state-wide.  Our government shall also collaborate with the Federal Government to address the dreaded ecological problems. A sum of N225,000,000 has been earmarked in the 2009 budget for channelisation and canalization in various parts of the state while another N225,000,000.00 is earmarked for channelisation/drainage and dredging of Ureje river, Ado-Ekiti.  Furthermore, a counterpart contribution of N367,500,000.00 is earmarked for waste-to-wealth private-public partnership programme in the year 2009 budget.          

WATER SUPPLY

One of the important objectives of our government is to ensure the supply of good quality portable water to all parts of the state.  It is the intention of this government to exceed the target of 90% distribution of water before the end of next year.  A sum of N920,000,000.00  will be expended on water supply under its recurrent and capital expenditure in year 2009.

The effort of the government in the provision of potable water for the people of Ekiti State is being complemented by water, sanitation and hygiene project (WATSAN) through ground water. The agency has recorded a lot of achievements since the inception of this administration.  A further sum of N225,000,000.00 shall be expended on the drilling of bore-hole in year 2009.

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION SECTOR

Mr. Speaker, distinguished honourable members, the general administration sector has always been responsible for the central coordination of all government activities in the state.  A total sum of N5,980,598,250 is earmarked for this sector in year 2009 budget and this represent 14.58% of the total capital budget.

INTERNAL SECURITY

Our administration is pleased with the atmosphere of relative peace, law and order that prevailed in the state in the outgoing year.  This was made possible by the efforts and determination of the law enforcement agents who were always on the alert.  Our royal fathers were also supportive as they ensured that peace reigned supreme in their domains.

The State Government is, however, not yet satisfied with the crime rate in the state.  Efforts will be made in the coming year to make the state crime free.  Our administration will, within its limited resources, provide logistics for the law enforcement agencies to enable them perform optimally.  

Government will also to ensure the enthronement of law and order in the state. I wish to enjoin the peace-loving people of the state to continue to be peaceful and volunteer useful information to the law enforcement agencies so as to guarantee the security of lives, investments and property.

MICRO-CREDIT AGENCY

This is an initiative of the present administration aimed at alleviating poverty through wealth creation and employment generation.  The agency, within one year, has recorded the underlisted achievements;-

(i)                  Disbursement of N800 million to agric and non-agric businesses;

(ii)                Training of 50 young school leavers in fish farming;

(iii)               Distribution of 10,000 spraying pumps and 2,500 cutlasses worth N60million to farmers and groups as loans in kind;

(iv)              Distribution of N68 million tools and equipment to artisans in various vocations; and,

(v)                Empowerment of 1,000 women provision sellers through Kiosk and milk product worth N100million as loans in kind.

The state government will continue to support the course of the economically disadvantaged people in the society.  To this end, a sum of N600,000,000 has been budgeted  as micro-credit for agric and non- agric businesses in 2009 in addition to the existing revolving loan – base and support from micro-credit collaborators.

INSURANCE POLICIES FOR PUBLIC ASSETS

Perhaps, for the first time in the history of Ekiti State, an insurance policy was evolved and is being implemented to protect government assets from the risks of fire, burglary, theft, etc.  To this end, a consortium of insurance firms/brokers is being engaged to cover the possible risks to public property.  A sum of N562,000,000 has been set aside for this purpose in 2009 budget.

SOLAR STREET LIGHT

The streets in Ado Ekiti are   always in perpetual darkness at night a situation that has adversely affected the socio-economic life of the city.  This   Government embarked on   Solar Electrification as the best and sustainable alternative to the erratic PHCN power supply or the use of generator (as was once the case) to power the conventional street lights.  Contracts for the installation of Solar Street Lights in the State Capital has been awarded at a total cost of N615,651,300.00.  The project is scheduled for completion in December, 2008.  In year 2009, Government will do more in the areas of solar Powered-Streetlights by extending it to other local government headquarters. A sum of N600,000,000.00 has been provided in the 2009 Budget for this purpose.

BUREAU OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS

In order to speed up the pace of Public Building Construction and enhance the quality and maintenance thereof, Government during the year excised the Department sum of N303,000,000.00 and Secretariat Buildings Phase V at a contract sum of N1,029,220,422.00.  These projects and others would be completed and commissioned for use in 2009. To further consolidate on this achievement and provide adequate and quality accommodation for government, the sum of N2,157,750,000.00 has been earmarked for the Bureau in the budget 2009.

THE LEGISLATURE

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to this honourable House for the laudable achievement recorded since the inception of this administration.  To support the Honourable House in its assignment, this administration provided members with 38 vehicles at a cost of N229,518,755.43.  A sum of N4,014,990.00 was also expended in the furnishing of Mr. Speaker’s official residence, while a sum of  N520,000,000.00 was released for constituency projects in the outgoing year.  Worthy of note also is the new House of Assembly Complex which is under construction for which over  N300million has been released.  The project, on completion, will be unique and will probably be the biggest and best in the Southwest of Nigeria.

It is also important to note that fiscal autonomy was granted to the Honourable House in the course of 2008, to make the House of Assembly a truly independent arm of government. Ekiti State thus became the second State in the Federation of Nigeria to give financial independence to its House of Assembly.

I need to add that this administration will continue to blaze the trail in the institutionalization of good governance, transparency and accountability and would welcome the support of this Honourable House in jointly building a model state of our dream. The total budget envelope available to the Legislative arm of government is N1.5 Billion.

THE JUDICIARY

Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, conscious of the importance of the judiciary  as the third arm of government, this administration has placed high premium on the welfare of our judicial officers with a view to ensuring that they dispense their duties judiciously.  It is the policy of our administration to bring justice closer to the grassroot.  In recognition of this and in keeping to our promise in last year’s budget speech, this government has continued to fund the judiciary most adequately.

Like the House of Assembly, the Judiciary was also granted financial autonomy in 2008. We believe this will enable them fund their projects and programmes adequately and most importantly enhance the delivery of Justice to all manners of people without any fear, favour, prejudice, or hindrance. The total budget envelope available to the Judiciary is N1.2 Billion. 

CONCLUSION

Mr. Speaker Sir, Honourable members of this honourable House, the budget I have just outlined represents the plan, policies and programmes that our administration has designed to achieve the collective aspirations of the good people of Ekiti State in the 2009 fiscal year.  I want to assure you that our administration will do everything possible to ensure that this budget is strictly adhered to. The Honourable commissioner for Finance and Economic Development will give further detailed analysis of this budget as soon as it is passed and signed into law. 

Based on the above, therefore, and the need to build on the gains of democracy that we are currently enjoying, it is my honour and privilege to Christen this budget a “BUDGET OF CONSOLIDATION”.  It is our prayer that God in His infinite mercies will guide us through the implementation of the budget to ensure budget discipline and the delivery of more public goods and services to the good people of our State. 

            Thank you and God bless.