2023 Budget: Oyo Zone Hails Makinde for Making Their Voices Count
By Kazeem Awojoodu, Ibadan
People of Oyo has hailed Governor Makinde for making their voices count.
Naijanewshub.com.ng reports that the People of Oyo zone on Thursday, hailed Governor Seyi Makinde led administration for caring for them along in decision-making by constantly seeking their opinions before any budget preparation.
The former Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, Chief Bisi Ilaka stated this during the Stakeholders’ Consultative Engagement Meeting on the Year 2023 Budget for Oyo State, held on Thursday at Atiba hall, Oyo Town.
Ilaka who appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde’s led administration on behalf of the people of Oyo Zone, lauded the idea behind the engagement meetings, saying the idea is a welcome idea.
He explained that there has been a holistic approach to the engagement meetings since it is inception when the present administration came on board.
This is because during the interaction, things that the Local Government, the State Government and the Legislators at the Federal level will attend to usually emanate.
While appreciating Governor Seyi Makinde on behalf of the people of Oyo Zone, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, said Makinde is a man that turns tears into laughter.
He said the engagement Meeting which was started by his administration has been beneficial to the people because it gives them a voice and a sense of participation.
It added that their voices are being effectively heard because some of their demands are being carried out and the results are evident for all to see,saying this is a major difference between the previous administration and the present administration.
He therefore on behalf of the Community Development Council from the Four Local Government in Oyo Zone which comprises Oyo West, Oyo East, Atiba and Afijio, called on the present administration to see to the completion of Atiba FM, as the previous Government failed to achieve its completion.
The  Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, who also doubles as the representative of Governor Seyi Makinde in Oyo Zone stated that as part of efforts to make a transparent, participatory budget, and to provide feedback to the people on the performance of the current budget, this is why the Ministry was directed by Governor Seyi Makinde to liaise with the people. According to him, this will allow everyone to be included in the year 2023 budget.
Professor Musibau Babatunde further lauded the achievements of Governor Seyi Makinde in the Oyo Zone which includes but are not limited to; the construction of Ultra Modern Akesan Market, Rehabilitation of Sabo-Gedu Oroki road, the ongoing Atiba University and Atiba FM, the ongoing construction of Silo project for the storage of farm produce, and the proposed construction of 5km roads in each LGs under the RAAMP project. Security is also not left out, with the recruitment and fortification of Amotekun.
He promised that the things yet to be achieved in the current budget can still be achieved before the year runs out.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Tpl Ajibola Ademola stated that the government does not want to do it alone, hence the reason for engaging the people.
He added that Governor Seyi Makinde intends to do a budget for total poverty eradication in the State, with a promise that all their demands will be adequately represented in the year 2023 budget.