By Olivia Ambrose, JKNewsMedia Intern
TOWARDS BOOSTING its revenue through reforms, Ogun State government said its 2024 budget has reached an impressive 80 percent implementation.
The government dubbed it a feat attributed to focused revenue optimization and strategic blockage of financial leakages.
Addressing a town hall meeting on the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and 2025 Budget for Ogun West Senatorial District in Ilaro, the Governor’s Chief Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, highlighted the administration’s efforts to increase fiscal responsibility and effective governance.
Okubadejo emphasized the state’s progress since 2019, elevating budget implementation from less than 40 percent to an average of 75 percent under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s leadership.
The 2024 budget’s strong performance was credited to digitalization initiatives and tapping into new revenue areas without burdening residents, reflecting the administration’s commitment to transparency and growth.
Critical to these reforms are newly introduced Medium Revenue Strategies and the MTEF, which streamline payments and enhance the state’s financial stability.
Additionally, the state has made strides in infrastructure, with projects such as a cargo airport and an Inland Dry Port aimed at attracting investments.
The Governor also spotlighted Ogun West Senatorial District’s development, noting that over 600 kilometers of road have been constructed across the state, with specific improvements like the GRA road at Ota, Ilaro-Owode, and Atan-Lusada-Agbara.
Ogun West, as the state’s industrial hub and key agricultural area, benefits significantly from these projects, creating opportunities for improved local economies.
At the meeting, community leaders and representatives voiced the need for expanded infrastructure projects, particularly roads, to further strengthen economic activities.
The Commissioner for Budget Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, acknowledged the role of public input in shaping the state’s fiscal plans, while the Olu of Ilaro, represented by the Onimeko of Imeko, emphasized the need for continued road development in Ogun West.
