Mixed reactions trail Kwara’s N540b budget proposal

Mixed reactions have continued to trail the 2025 budget projected by the Kwara State government.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq laid the document valued at N540,368,119,765 before the House of Assembly on Friday with capital expenditure guzzling 62.1% while recurrent got 37.9%.

The governor, who said the fiscal plan is not a ritual, assured that major infrastructural projects across the state will be completed, in addition to funding new ones like the 250-unit of mass housing, stadia in Offa and Lafiagi, a multi-story court house, and upgrading and completion of the Metropolitan Square among others.

However, financial experts and CSOs who spoke on the budget expressed mixed feelings on the impact.

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According to an accountant with the state civil service who does not want his name in print, this is the first time the present administration will embark on housing, which is commendable.

He however said the government should consider increasing the unit because of the size of the workers in the state in need of housing.

On his part, an economist, Prof Gafar Ijaya said benchmarking it at $75 per barrel oil price is not ideal when Kwara is not in control of oil.

A public affairs analyst, Comrade Taiwo Otitololaye, called for a refocusing of the budget by the government before passage.

According to him, “61% for capital expenditure is wrong when the citizens are hungry”.

He added that there should have been a clear explanation on the impact of the last budget before this one was presented.

Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENETSUD) Deputy Coordinator, Comrade Lanre Osho said earnings over 30% for humanitarian assistance is wrong when the impact of such a move previously has not really been calculated. He said those funds should rather be channeled to increase the budget for education, health, among others.