By Alaba Olusola Oke
Ondo State House of Assembly on Friday passed the 2024 Appropriation bill of N395.2 billion.
The passage followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, presented by its Chairman, Mr Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, during the plenary session.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that Acting Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa recently presented a N385 billion Appropriation Bill to the Assembly.
NAN reports that the proposed budget comprised Capital Expenditure of N222.2 billion with the Recurrent Expenditure of N172.9 billion.
Ogunmolasuyi, who represents Owo Constituency 1/APC, said that the estimate passed by the assembly was higher than what the governor presented by over N10.7 billion.
“The committee after an interface with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for defense of their estimates, amended the original bill and recommended N395 billion.
“The state government should take necessary steps to ensure that internally generated revenue is sustained and improved and that the budget meets the needs of Ondo State people.
“The Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget and Ministry of Finance, in conjunction with the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, should ensure that they boost revenue of the state with details of extant laws,” he said.
The lawmakers unanimously adopted the report thereafter.
The bill was read for the third time by the Clerk of the House, Mr Benjamin Jayeola, as directed by the Speaker, Chief Olamide Oladiji.
Commenting on the bill, Oladiji said that if signed into law, it would turn around the state and trigger development and growth.
He said that with the bill, the governor would be well equipped to serve people of the state and deliver dividends of democracy.
Oladiji prayed that God would grant the state governor wisdom and wherewithal to steer the state to a destination of fulfilment.
He commended the committee for its promptness and timeliness as regards the bill and extended the appreciation to the state Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget for a job well done.
The lawmakers also passed the N6 billion Appropriation Bill for the services of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) for 2024.
The ODIRS Bill has N5.4 billion for the Recurrent Expenditure while N855.4 million is for the Capital Expenditure.
The lawmakers earlier paid tribute to late Governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who died on Wednesday.
Mr Olatunji Oshati (APC/Ose) said that late Akeredolu was a unifying personality with honesty, asking all especially politicians to toe the path of the former governor to ensure good governance.
Similarly, the speaker said that the news of the demise of the late governor was devastating, describing him as a fighter for justice and humanitarian services.
He said that he would be remembered for good legacies, having stood for fairness and equity.
According to him, late Akeredolu was a visionary leader, saying that his massive projects cut across the state.
He was able to reduce the bar of poverty in the state through increase of revenue of the state to embark on projects that could touch lives of the masses.
Oladiji prayed that God would grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort his immediate family and the state.
There was a minute silence observed in honour of the late governor and the lawmakers before the parliarment went on a recess for 28 days.
NAN
