The Oyo State Government has commenced stakeholders’ engagement and consultative meetings across the seven geographical zones of the state as part of efforts to obtain citizens’ inputs into the preparation of the 2027 Budget.
The seven geographical zones of the state where the consultative meetings are being held include Oke-Ogun Zone I, Oke-Ogun Zone II, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ibarapa, Ibadan Main City and Ibadan Greater City.
The exercise, organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, is aimed at providing an avenue for residents, traditional rulers, community leaders, organised groups, and other stakeholders to present their priority needs and development concerns for consideration in the 2027 Budget.
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Speaking at the engagement in Aago-Are, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, said the exercise was part of the administration’s commitment to listening directly to the people and ensuring that their needs and priorities form part of the state’s budget planning process.
He explained that the government was particularly interested in receiving the views of residents on critical areas of development, including road infrastructure, security, healthcare, education, and other sectors that directly affect the wellbeing and economic activities of the people.
On road infrastructure, the Deputy Governor assured residents that the government would continue to give attention to roads linking rural communities with urban centres, noting that improved road networks would facilitate the movement of people and farm produce.
He said the administration recognised the importance of connecting rural communities to major towns, stressing that good roads would help ensure that agricultural produce from rural areas could move easily to urban markets.
Lawal disclosed that the Nigerian Army had approved the establishment of an Army Battalion in Kishi, assuring that the state government would provide the necessary support to strengthen security in the area.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Ojo, said the importance of the engagement was to provide an opportunity for everyone to contribute to the preparation of the 2027 budget.
He assured the stakeholders that their submissions would be considered and reflected in the budget where appropriate.
Also speaking at the Iseyin Local Government Secretariat, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Faosat Sanni, appreciated the people of Oke-Ogun Zone I for their cooperation and support for the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, urging them to sustain the support.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Julius Ayanleke, disclosed that the programme was the eighth edition of the stakeholders’ engagement meeting.
He noted that the exercise was approved by Governor Seyi Makinde to enable the government to visit all the zones and receive inputs from the people for consideration in the 2027 Budget.
