By Admin
Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi on Tuesday presented his Maiden State Budget proposal of N582.4 billion for the year 2025 to the state to the House of Assembly.
The budget tagged “Budget of Inclusive Development” is the first annual appropriation bill presentation by the governor to the House of Assembly since he assumed office on Jan.27.
Ododo explained that the budget was targeted towards actualising the state’s 32-year development plan and enhancing accountability.
The governor said that the 2025 budget proposal was divided into Recurrent Expenditure of N279,590,215,687 representing 48.01 per cent, and Capital Expenditure of N302,813,903,802 representing 51.99 per cent.
The budget expenditure outlay includes: Administration – N120, 047,367,416 (20.61%); Economic – N227,829,142,196 (39.12%); Law & Justice – N23,754,514,351 (4.08%); and Social – N210,782,095,526 (36.19%).
According to him, the budget is aimed at promoting economic growth, reduce financial burdens, and creating a more attractive business environment for investors and partners in the state.
Ododo explained that the total budget package for 2025 was N582,404,119,489 as against N406,321,130,013 approved in the Revised budget for 2024, with an increase of N176,082,989 or 43.34 per cent.
While appraising the performance of 2024 Revised Budget Ododo said: “a total sum of N175,766,768,891 was approved for recurrent expenditure in 2024 out of which N130,784,676,462.17 was spent as of Sept. 2024, representing 74.41 per cent performance.
“The approved capital expenditure for 2024 was N230,554,361,200 out which the sum of N86,138,756,.48 was expended as of September 2924, representing 37.36 per cent performance.”
He stressed that the 2025 budget would focus on social protection interventions, rural infrastructure development, agricultural development, SME support, alternative energy options, and new partnerships.
Ododo added that the state government had developed a 32-year State Development Plan, with the theme: “Shared Hope and Prosperity,” designed to transform Kogi into a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable economy.
He commended the House of Assembly for doing excellent service to the people of Kogi and praised the former governor Yahaya Bello for laying a solid developmental foundation for the state.
“I hereby urge you, assembly members, to ensure a robust deliberation on the budget and to ensure timely approval,” he charged.
Earlier, the assembly speaker, Rt Hon. Umar Yusuf, assured the governor of the continued support of the lawmakers and promised to give the budget speedy consideration and passage.
Yusuf, however, urged the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government to cooperate fully with the relevant committees during the budget defence process.
“As representatives of the people, it is our sacred duty to scrutinize the budget proposals to ensure they reflect the financial plan, vision, priorities, and commitment of the State Government,” the speaker said.
