The 2022 Citizens Budget, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 2023–2025, and the 2023 proposed budget were presented at a one-day stakeholder consultation forum hosted by the Edo State Ministry of Finance, Budget, Economic Planning, and Development.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Bernard Aigbe, on behalf of Commissioner Joseph Egboigbe, stated that the 2022 budget was named the “Budget of Renewal, Hope and Growth” in an effort to greatly boost the “Making Edo Great Again” initiative.
Eboigbe emphasized the significance of budgeting and stated that the public should have access to citizens’ budgets, including through online publication on the State’s official website.
He continued by saying that doing this will remove financial misappropriation, facilitate citizen feedback, and make understanding government operations easier.
Recall that in March 2022, the governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, stated the following during a four-day training session sponsored by the ministry: “Budgeting is at the core and the heart of government and you can not prepare a budget without the citizens.”
“Preparing the citizens’ budget is non-negotiable for us in Edo, or at least it is for me as the Governor.” he said at the time.
Speaking, the Commissioner pointed out that the 2022 Budget of Renewal, Hope and Growth includes a number of objectives related to public safety and security, economic growth and stability, reforming the business environment and allowing the private sector to participate in state development, civil service reform, education, and health, among other areas.
He praised the State Government for the Edo State Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) program and its success in gaining recognition both domestically and internationally.
He claims that Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Federal Allocations, Grants, and Other Capital Receipts are the sources of funding for the budget.
According to Eboigbe, the budget for 2023 will address the legal and justice system, the administrative branch, the social sector, and the economic sector.
Speaking on the 2021 budget performance and providing an update on the 2022 budget’s implementation, the Ministry’s Director of Budget, Mr. Michael Oseh, stated that the State hopes to boost economic growth by promoting job creation.
He mentioned the establishment of jobs, the start of health insurance, the building of the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy, the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Sound Stage, and new office spaces as some of the accomplishments of the 2021 budget.
