In its resolve to address infrastructural deficit at the rural areas and small towns in Ogun State, the State Government through the State Ministry of Rural Development plans to expend a sum of N8.3bn for the provision of electrification and construction of roads in 2020.
The developmental initiatives according to the Director of Rural Electrification in the Ministry, Engr. Rasaq Ojetola, who defended the budget estimate of the Ministry for next year before lawmakers, were meant to uplift the socio-economic and commercial activities of the State in order to reduce rural-urban drift through an upgrade of the living standard of rural dwellers.
Ojetola added that the Ministry would construct 20km roads, grade existing 40km roads maximum width not exceeding 8metres and the construction of 20km asphaltic roads in each of the 20 Local Government Councils in the State.
Giving the breakdown of the budget, he said that the Ministry proposed a budget size of N11.875bn, out of which N11bn was meant for the proposed capital projects, N875m was being earmarked for recurrent expenditures, with N1.48bn expected as grant.
In another development, the Assistant General Manager, State Water Corporation, Engr. Gbenro Thomas stated that the holistic implementation of year 2020 budget was capable of increasing coverage and access to potable water to the nooks and crannies of the State.
Thomas, who stated this assured that feasible mechanisms were being put in place through various capital projects to the tune of N6.5bn being proposed to ensure sufficient and sustainable portable water supply to the residents of the State at affordable rate.
He stated that the Ministry proposed a total budget of N8.55bn consisting of N2.05Bn for personnel and overhead, while N750m was being expected as revenue into government coffers.
