The Oyo State Government has commenced stakeholder engagement and consultative meetings across the State’s seven geographical zones to gather citizens’ input into the preparation of the 2027 Budget.
The exercise, being organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, is aimed at providing an avenue for residents, traditional rulers, community leaders, organised groups and other stakeholders to present their priority needs and development concerns for consideration in the 2027 Budget.
The consultative meetings are being held across the seven geographical zones of the State, namely Oke-Ogun Zone I, Oke-Ogun Zone II, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ibarapa, Ibadan Main City and Ibadan Greater City.
Speaking at the engagement in Aago-Are, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Adebayo Lawal, said the exercise was part of the administration’s commitment to listening directly to the people and ensuring that their needs and priorities form part of the State’s budget planning process.
He explained that the government was particularly interested in receiving the views of residents on critical areas of development, including road infrastructure, security, healthcare, education and other sectors that directly affect the wellbeing and economic activities of the people.
On road infrastructure, the Deputy Governor assured residents that the government would continue to give attention to roads linking rural communities with urban centres, noting that improved road networks would facilitate the movement of people and farm produce.
He said the administration recognised the importance of connecting rural communities to major towns, stressing that good roads would help ensure that agricultural produce from rural areas could move easily to urban markets.
Lawal disclosed that the Nigerian Army had approved the establishment of an Army Battalion in Kishi, assuring that the State Government would provide the necessary support to strengthen security in the area.
The Deputy Governor noted that Oke-Ogun had abundant solid mineral resources and urged traditional rulers to ensure their responsible exploitation in line with government regulations.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Ayobami Ojo, said the importance of the engagement was to provide an opportunity for everyone to contribute to the preparation of the 2027 Budget. He assured the stakeholders that their submissions would be considered and reflected in the budget where appropriate.
Also speaking at the Iseyin Local Government Secretariat, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon. (Alhaja) Faosat Joke Sanni, appreciated the people of Oke-Ogun Zone I for their cooperation and support for the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, urging them to sustain the support.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Julius Ayanleke, said the programme was the eighth edition of the stakeholders’ engagement meeting, adding that the exercise was approved by the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to enable the government visit all the zones and receive inputs from the people for consideration in the 2027 Budget.
The event was attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials, supervisory councillors, special advisers, community leaders, among others.
