Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, held discussions on policy direction with top officials to provide guidance to the government’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies as they begin preparations for the 2024 budget. This meeting preceded the citizens’ budget engagements that will commence shortly.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor emphasized that the budget’s primary focus will be on completing ongoing capital projects and inaugurating them to enhance the standard of living and create additional employment opportunities for the state’s residents.
The budget will also allocate resources to social protection programs aimed at assisting vulnerable populations.
Governor AbdulRazaq reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritize the welfare of workers, including discussions related to the new minimum wage.
“In the new year, our focus will be to complete and inaugurate many of our projects, thereby creating jobs for the people. Workers’ welfare and social protection for the vulnerable will remain a top priority,” the governor said.
“The government will also make provision for discussions around the new minimum wage. We will also strengthen our ease of doing business efforts through advocacies, legislation, and collaboration with all players in the economy.
“The direction of our administration has been clearly outlined in the Sustainable Development Plan (SDP: 2021-2030). The 10-year economic blueprint detailed our policy objectives and priorities. I urge every cabinet member and government official to familiarise themselves with this key document, along with a few others like the Agricultural Transformation Plan.
“Our projects, programmes, policy pronouncements, and other priorities as an administration have been inspired by the visions expressed in these documents. For that reason, the 2024 budget will be tailored to the same objective.
“On top of this agenda is human capital development which includes access to quality education, sanitation facility, infrastructural upgrade and expansion, improved and diversified economic base and revenue generation, strong fiscal base, youth empowerment, social protection, and gender inclusion, sustainable environment, sustainable energy, sports development, food security through promotion of smallholder and commercial agriculture, safety of lives and property, and create the right environment for capital investments.”
He urged all government officials in the state to align their actions in their respective roles with the prevailing economic conditions. The government remains committed to meeting its responsibilities and making a positive impact on the lives of the people of Kwara.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prince Abdulkadir Mahe, emphasized the significance of the 2024 budget policy direction meeting as a crucial opportunity for the state to discuss the financial plan that will steer its course in the upcoming year. He encouraged all key stakeholders to actively participate in constructive discussions and offer valuable input during the budget deliberations.
