By Abidemi Samuel
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The proposed N390 billion budget, tagged ‘Budget of Reconstruction and Recovery’, aims to prioritize infrastructure development, education, and healthcare. While some residents have expressed optimism about the budget’s potential to drive sustainable development, others have raised concerns about its feasibility and implementation.”
Osun State’s 2025 budget proposal, presented by Governor Ademola Adeleke, has sparked a mix of reactions from residents, with some hailing it as a timely and necessary initiative, while others have expressed concerns about its feasibility and implementation.
The proposed N390 billion budget, tagged ‘Budget of Reconstruction and Recovery’, aims to prioritize infrastructure development, education, and healthcare. With a capital expenditure of N144.231 billion, the budget seems to prioritize essential services such as road repairs, healthcare, and education facilities.
Residents like Bisi Oyetunji, a businessman, have welcomed the budget, saying, “Our roads and schools need major repairs, and the healthcare system could use more attention. This budget seems to prioritize those essential services.”
Others, like Adeola Akande, a civil servant, are hopeful that the budget will address healthcare needs in the state, particularly in rural areas. Akande stated, “If the proposed funds genuinely improve healthcare access, it could transform the lives of thousands who currently struggle to access basic medical services.”
However, some residents are skeptical about the budget’s implementation, given that past budget allocations yielded minimal visible results. Dayo Olusola, a student, worried that the same issues could persist, saying, “We have seen ambitious budgets before, but the impact on the streets is minimal. It is one thing to allocate funds and another to actually make things happen.”
Other concerns raised by residents include the potential for the budget to increase the state’s debt profile, as well as the need for transparency in the budget’s execution. A civil societies advocate, Kunle Adeyemi, remarked, “This budget could put us in more debt if not properly managed. We hope the government has clear revenue plans to avoid burdening the state.”
Despite these concerns, many residents are optimistic that the budget will have a positive impact on the state’s economy. A local entrepreneur, Ayo Olaniyi, expressed optimism, saying, “An increase in government spending may create more business opportunities and employment, especially if contracts are awarded to local firms.”
As the State House of Assembly reviews the budget proposal, residents are urging the government to exercise caution and prudence. They are also calling for transparency in the budget’s execution, to ensure that the funds are judiciously used.
Ultimately, the success of the 2025 budget proposal will depend on its effective implementation. As Governor Adeleke noted, the budget is designed to prioritize the needs of the people, and its success will be measured by its impact on the lives of Osun State residents.
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