Kwara 2021 Budget: Oke-Ero LG gets N12bn against Kwara North’s N8bn
In the 2021 proposed Kwara State budget tendered before the state house of assembly, Oke-Ero Local Government is given the total sum of N12,042,164,058.00 while the whole Kwara North Senatorial District gets 8,336,028,808.00 for capital projects.
A thorough perusal of the proposed budget document by this reporter shows that the total funds earmarked for capital projects in Oke-Ero Local Government Area with a landmark area of 438km and a population of 56,970 at the 2006 census are more than what is budgeted for the whole five local government areas in the Kwara North Senatorial District that has 36,825km and a population of 751,903.
Baruteen gets N101,537,082.00, N2,397,105,665.00 is planned for Edu, N855,610,586.00 is given to Kaiama, Patigi also gets N1,607,272,476.00 while N3,374,502,999.00 is given to Moro local government area.
The proposed budget which has passed the first and the second stage is at the defence stage that started 21st of December, 2021.
Residents React
Mixed reactions have continued to trail the Kwara State Government’s proposal to earmark N12bn for infrastructural development in Oke-Ero LGA as against Kwara North’s N8bn.
The Informant247 gathered that while several residents in the state applauded the initiative, other residents of the state expressed reservations about it.
Isa Abukabar, a Kwara-based political analyst, applauded the government for having the desire to state development from the grassroots level.
He said, “If the 12BN is used judiciously as planned, it will be for the betterment of the state.
” Oke-Ero also is part of Kwara and anything done there by the government is for the best interests of every Kwarans,” he added.
Meanwhile, Yaqoob Shaba, a Kwara Northern based farmer, said the government’s proposal is like robbing Peter to pay Paul.
“This is not fair to the people of Kwara North. It is pure injustice. I appeal to the state government to revise this decision for the progress of this state,” Mr Shaba said.
