From Abdul Salaudeen, Ilorin
Kwara State governor, Malam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, yesterday presented a budget of N540 billion to the House of Assembly for the 2025 fiscal year.
Works, housing, social protection and education topped the chart as capital expenditure took the lion share of 62.1 percent, while recurrent expenditure stands at 37.9percent.
The budget substantially focuses on completing ongoing projects, starting new ones and doubling down on social protection for the people.
The governor said the budget will complete major infrastructural projects across the state, and fund new ones such as 250 units of mass housing and inner roads in the smart city.
According to him, the stadia in Offa and Lafiagi were also prioritised in the budget, while new roads are to be constructed in Kwara South, North and Central Senatorial Districts to ease the movement of goods and services within the state.
He said construction work will begin on the multi-storey CourtHouse, the best of its kind in the northern region, while Ilorin Metropolitan Square will be upgraded and completed.
Pointing at massive youth and women empowerment and anti-poverty initiatives, the social sector got 32.50% of the plan, while education and health were allotted 16.2% and 10.56% apiece, with a focus on getting the new university of education off the ground and strengthening existing institutions.
Ministry of Works and Transport got 17.51% to carry on its massive road construction and maintenance mandate.
The governor said the budget is not just a ritual as it “reflects our commitment to deliver on promises as resources permit”, recalling how the 2024 budget brought significant benefits to various sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social protection.
“In 2024, we supported 171,649 farmers, invested in irrigation systems and provided N2.2 billion worth of farm inputs.
“We also funded education for 66,000 entrance examination candidates, 58,420 BECE, 28,500 WAEC, and 27,000 NECO candidates. Over 70,000 vulnerable people received social protection, including those impacted by the urban renewal programme.
“Additionally, 15,000 indigent Kwarans benefited from free medical interventions.
“The urban renewal programme has transformed the capital city, improving its infrastructure significantly, restoring law and order, and projecting Ilorin as a modern city,” he added.
Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, who commended the strides of the governor across the state, assured him of speedy yet thorough consideration of the fiscal proposal.
“Your administration is known for transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline,” he said.
