The 2019 Ogun State Appropriation Bill presented to the State House of Assembly by Governor Ibikunle Amosun has scaled through second reading before members of the Assembly, with an assurance that the financial blueprint, when implemented would ensure the speedy completion of all on-going projects across the State.
This was the summation of views of lawmakers who contributed to the debate during the second reading process of the bill, after the motion for its second reading was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Adeyinka Mafe , seconded by his Abeokuta South I counterpart, Victor Fasanya and supported by the Whole House through a voice vote at a plenary presided over by Speaker Suraju Ishola Adekunbi at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan.
Opening debate on the Bill, titled: ” HB NO.42 /OG/ 2018- Year 2019 Appropriation Law of Ogun State”, Mafe expressed confidence that the Budget would help consolidate on the achievements recorded by the present administration in the last seven years, adding that such infrastructural facilities and programmes would be implemented particularly in the rural areas just as all ongoing projects across the State would be completed.
Corroborating the view of the Majority Leader, members including the Chief Whip, Idowu Olowofuja, Honourables Victor Fasanya, Akanbi Bankole and Olusola Sonuga, called for the speedy consideration and passage of the budget proposal for the immediate completion of all ongoing projects across the State, saying the people of the State were eager to enjoy more democratic dividends through the implementation of more people-oriented programmes and projects.
Commending the governor for earmarking over N254Bn representing about 63% for capital projects, while N96.63Bn was budgeted for personnel cost which included Salaries and allowances as well as pension and gratuities, they posited that monumental infrastructural development witnessed in the State through holistic budget implementation in the previous years by the State government required more consolidation as enshrined in the estimates for the next fiscal year.
Describing the budget as all-encompassing and achievable, Honourables Ganiyu Oyedeji, Tunde Sanusi, Nurudeen Aina, Yetunde Sogbein-Adekanbi and Olayiwola Ojodu explained that the budget which earmarked 60% to capital projects would assist the government to achieve its set goal of ensuring quality standard of living through various cardinal programmes which would be funded more by internally generated revenue.
Also, the Deputy Speaker Olakunle Oluomo, Honourables Adebiyi Adeleye, Israel Jolaoso and Jemili Akingbade appealed to the State Government to focus more on rural development through the implementation of more developmental projects to complement on the rebuilding mission at the grassroot level.
They also stressed the need for the completion of model schools across the three Senatorial Districts while soliciting the support of their colleagues to in line with the usual tradition, scrutinise the budgetary proposal for its timely passage.
Responding, Speaker Suraj Adekunbi, who commended his colleague-lawmakers for their robust contributions to the debate and thereafter directed that the bill be committed to the Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further legislative actions.
Meanwhile, the Speaker has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government in the State to submit 35 copies each of their budgetary estimate to the State House of Assembly on or before Friday, 7th of December preparatory to the commencement of the 2019 Budget Defence on the 10th December, 2018 at 10:00am.
The Speaker gave the directive shortly after committing the Appropriation Bill to the Committee on Finance and Appropriation equally urged the MDAs to make available relevant information relating to their budget estimate and ensure that they keep to the schedule for the budget defence.
Packaged by Hazeez Ayansola
