Oke-Ogun won’t be left out of 2027 budget, Commissioner Ojo assures
By Salam Saheed
The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, has assured stakeholders in Oke-Ogun Zone II that their demands and development priorities raised during the stakeholders’ consultative meeting on the 2027 budget will be given due consideration by the state government.
Lawal gave the assurance on Monday at Ago-Are Township Hall, Ago-Are, during the stakeholders’ engagement on the 2027 budget exercise organised by the state Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
He said the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde remained committed to ensuring that the concerns and developmental aspirations of residents across the state were reflected in its budgetary planning.
The Deputy Governor also described the zone as fortunate to have the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Ayobami Ojo, as an indigene, saying his knowledge of the peculiar needs of the area would assist the government in identifying essential projects and programmes requiring attention.
According to him, Ojo would do everything possible to ensure that essential needs identified by stakeholders in the zone were adequately captured in the 2027 budget.
He urged the people of Oke-Ogun Zone II to continue to support the government and participate actively in the implementation and monitoring of projects designed to improve the living conditions of residents.
The stakeholders had, during the consultation, highlighted several areas requiring government intervention, including roads, electricity, water supply, healthcare, education, agriculture, security, youth empowerment and rural development.
They also sought greater attention to agricultural infrastructure, including irrigation, storage facilities, farm-to-market roads and access to affordable financing, given the zone’s strategic role in food production.
Other concerns centred on the completion of ongoing projects, upgrading of primary healthcare centres, improvement of education infrastructure and creation of employment and skills-development opportunities for youths.
The stakeholders further called for mechanisms that would enable communities to monitor the implementation of projects captured in the 2027 budget.
Responding, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Ayobami Ojo, appreciated the stakeholders for their participation and contributions to the budget consultation.
Ojo assured the people of Oke-Ogun Zone II that the area, like other parts of the state, would not be left out in the government’s development plans.
He said the inputs provided by stakeholders would form part of the considerations in the budget preparation process, stressing the importance of citizens’ participation in determining development priorities.
The consultation was part of the state government’s wider stakeholders’ engagement on the 2027 budget, designed to obtain inputs from residents and communities across the various zones of Oyo State.
The event was attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders, government functionaries, supervisory councillors, special advisers, community leaders and other stakeholders.
Among the traditional rulers present were the Okere of Sakiland ,Oba Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi (Represented), Aare of Ago-Are, Oba Abodunrin Kofoworola Oyetunji Ilufemiloye;the Aare of Ofiki, Oba Gbenga Adigun Adeoye, among others.
Religious leaders at the event included the Chief Imam of Tede, Barrister Imran Atilola, and the Chief Imam of Ago-Are, to mention but a few.