The Ondo Ministry of Finance has budgeted the sum of N11.5 billion for security votes and N1.5 billion for contingency in 2025.
The ministry also earmarked N250 million for honorarium and sitting allowance, and N6 million for telephone calls.
The provision was made in the budget passed by the Ondo House of Assembly and signed into law by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on December 30, 2024.
In the the budget, N250 million was provided for honorarium and sitting allowance, and N1.5 billion for contingency.
The sum of N52 million was allocated for printing security documents in the ministry and N27 million for refreshments and meals.
The breakdown, which was published under serial number 14000100100 in the 2025 fiscal document of the state, includes N500 million earmarked for financial consulting and N1.5 million for insurance premiums.
Additionally, a total of N450 million was budgeted for electricity charges in 2025, while generator fuel costs were pegged at N61 million.
The Ministry will spend N42 million on local travels and transport, and N120 million was allocated for international travels and transport.
Also, N120 million is earmarked for local training, conferences, seminars, and workshops; N20 million for office rent; N100 million for summits; and N66 million for welfare packages.
Thefrontrank reports that the allocation of N11.5 billion for security votes by the ministry of finance has raised concerns on the management of the state resources by the Aiyedatiwa’s administration in terms of transparency and accountability.
Some residents who spoke to Thefrontrank on the issue, condemed Aiyedatiwa’s administration for lacking the will and capacity to prioritize meaningful and purposeful governance.
They lamented that the administration gave priority to “frivolities and celebrations” rather than developmental projects.
“The administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has actually disappointed many people in terms of transparency in managing the state’s resources.
“Today, nothing is happening in the state as there’s no developmental projects in spite of the increased allocation being received monthly. It’s obvious the administration has no focus,” a resident, Mr Joseph Monday, told Thefrontrank.
