Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Monday presented a N80.774 billion 2015 budget titled, “Budget of Reality” to the House of Assembly.
The budget presented under tight security, represents 77.7 percent of the 2014 budget of N103.8billion of former Governor Kayode Fayemi.
The 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers were absent at the plenary which was filled to capacity by members of the Peoples Democratic Party, government officials and supporters of the governor.
Fayose urged the assembly to examine the draft budget, and to further articulate the needs of the electorate and appropriate public funds for its realisation.
The governor, who threw a jibe at the opposition lawmakers said any attempt to overrun the Assembly would be resisted by the people.
“Why did you (APC lawmakers) go on self-exile? Who drove you to self-exile? You can’t stop the activities of the state. That is impossible,” Fayose said.
Turning to the Speaker, Dele Olugbemi, Fayose said, “Mr speaker, you are the speaker, I say you are the Speaker. I say it again you are the speaker! I’m saying with the authority of the governor that the power of the people is greater than those in power.
“Any attempt to overrun this house, will be resisted by the people of the state,” he said.
In the 2015 proposed budget, a total of N48,717 billion representing about 60 percent was allocated for recurrent expenditure while capital expenditure would gulp N31.956 billion.
Fayose said the size of the budget was informed by his government’s desire to live within its means and go with an achievable estimate rather than “decorate the budget with unrealistic figures.”
Reviewing the 2014 budget performance, the governor said, of the N103.8 billion, the total revenue expected as at October 31 was N86.5 billion out of which N67.9 billion was realised, representing 78 percent performance within the period under review.
The governor, while calling for the expeditious passage of the bill, explained that the budget would be funded by revenue from the federation allocation, internally generated revenue and other sources.
The governor, however, said that his government would access N6 billion internal loan bond contrary to his earlier stance that he would not borrow to run his government.
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