* Approves 2025 budget of ‘All Inclusive Development’
By Kehinde Erin
The Executive Council meeting, chaired by the State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has made moves to enhance the state’s electricity generation and distribution.
This initiative, in partnership with the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has received approval for Kogi State to localise electricity generation and distribution, aiming to ensure efficient electricity supply that will bolster business growth.
During a recent Executive Council meeting in the EXCO Chamber, Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development, Engineer Abdulmutalib Muhammed, made this known.
The Commissioner stated that the Council has also ordered the electrification of the state’s Internally Displaced Camp within one week.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, revealed that the Council emphasised the importance of a vigorous push for investment in the state.
He stated that the aggressive investments aim to enhance the state’s economy and create job opportunities for the burgeoning youth population.
During the Executive Council meeting, Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Idris, underscored the ‘All Inclusive Development’ 2025 Budget that was presented to and approved by the Council, emphasising its focus on participation, continuity, and progress.
He stated that the budget will enhance the state’s IGR by improving revenue collection, facilitating debt repayment owed by the Federal Government, ensuring security for a favorable business environment, promoting public-private partnerships, eliminating wastage in revenue streams, and privatizing the completion of ongoing projects.
He emphasised that the total estimated recurrent revenue amounts to N280, 187,11,427.00 trillion, while the estimated personnel cost, overhead cost, and all other recurrent expenses alongside public debt service are N109.9 billion, N110.7 billion, N30.2 billion, and N27.9 billion, respectively. The total recurrent expenditure for 2025 is projected to be N278.9 billion, with the total estimated capital expenditure at N3,433,684,716.00 billion.
The Council also reported that preparations for the Kogi International Carnival, scheduled for December 1st to 7th, are in full swing.
Also speaking, Timothy Ojoma h, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, also informed Newsmen that the state government has invested over nine billion naira to ensure food security.
He revealed that Kogi State currently ranks lowest in food inflation nationwide.