The Osun State government has justified its expenditure of over N500 million on refreshments and entertainment, following reports by SaharaReporters revealing a N527 million was spent on these items over nine months.
In an official statement, Kolapo Alimi, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, attributed the costs to hosting prominent national figures and events.
He clarified, “On a report by an online news medium that Osun State spent over Five Hundred Million Naira on entertainment, we educate the medium that Osun Government in the last one year or so has hosted several high-profile national events bordering on beneficial policy meetings, hosting of ministers, governors, and even top state officials from the Presidency.”
He also noted that hosting states typically cover expenses for transportation, accommodation, and event organization, adding, “all which were conducted under shoestring budget and within the context of hyperinflation plaguing the country.”
Alimi emphasized the benefits Osun has gained through these events, stating, “The state benefitted immensely as several developmental projects are attracted into the state while Osun State is gradually assuming the position of event hub of the South West, boosting the agenda of the administration on the cultural, creative, and tourism industry.”
Earlier reports by SaharaReporters on Osun State’s budget performance documents revealed that the state spent N527 million on refreshments and meals from January to September, while only N297 million was allocated for capital expenditures at the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, and N45.6 million to the Osun State Hospitals Management Board.
This expenditure, in comparison, surpassed the N378 million collected from direct assessment taxes during the same period, meaning Osun spent more on refreshments than it earned from direct assessments and allocated 5% of its internally generated revenue to refreshments and meals in the first three quarters.
