The government of Ondo State has assured that the focus of the 2020 budget is targeted to have direct intervention on the well-being of the citizens.

Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan, the State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, made this known on Thursday during a consultative meeting with organised Private Sector, Trade Unions and Professional bodies in Ondo state, on 2020-2022 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and 2020 budget preparation, organized by the ministry.

Igbasan, while explaining the rationale behind the 2019 budget, noted that there is an underlying Fiscal policy for every project executed by the government, hence the reason 2019 budget largely focuses on infrastructural development.

Highlighting some of the achievements of the administration, Igbasan stated that as at today, over 80kilometres of roads have been tarred across the length and breadth of the state.

He noted that the 2019 budget which was christened ‘Budget of Advancement’, doesn’t leave any sector uncovered out of the five pillars development agenda of the administration.

He reiterated the avowed commitment of the Akeredolu-led government towards industrialisation in the state, which birthed the Ore industrial hub where about five companies have commenced operation with the capacity to employ over 25,000 people.

According to him, the government has been able to improve the primary healthcare system in the state with increment in the number of the Mother and Child hospitals to seven across the state, fully equipped.

He revealed that the state is at the threshold of establishing the deep seaport and the licence will soon be issued, noting that it would have multiplier effect on the economy of the state.

Igbasan who affirmed that Governor Akeredolu is strongly committed to ensure that the citizens’ rights and privileges are given to them within the financial constraint of the state, said more than 1000 rural water systems have been executed through the Kamomi Aketi project in order to make potable water accessible to the citizens.

He further revealed that, as part of the commitment of the government to improve agriculture, 2000 hectares of land have been acquired by the government for free modern farming for interested citizens which would soon be cleared.

He noted that 600,000 seedlings of cocoa and 450 seedlings of cashew were distributed to the people free of charge in order to promote crop farming in the state, adding that the state has exported thousands metric tons of cocoa.

On the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, the Budget Commissioner noted that it has increased tremendously on monthly basis, without mounting unnecessary pressure on the people.

He explained that the IGR was improved through enhanced efficiency and professionalism, adding that the achievement is information and knowledge- driven.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Bunmi Alade had explained that the aim of the interactive session which comes up annually, was to brainstorm on how to improve on the implementation of budget and set a template for development.

Stakeholders at the event include, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Comrade Sunday Adeleye, Trade Unions chairmen, representatives of Women groups, Youths and Students, Professional bodies, market women/artisans, pensioners, among others.