ONDO HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PASSES YEAR 2023 APPROPRIATION BILL INTO LAW, SAYS COMPLEX NOT SHUT DOWN BY NULGE
After sailing through the third reading, Ondo State House of Assembly has passed the year 2023 Appropriation bill into law
The budget estimate of two hundred and seventy five billion, nine hundred and seventy nine million, one hundred and eighty four thousand naira (275,979,184,000) only had a total sum of one hundred and twenty nine billion, eight hundred and thirty nine million, four hundred and eleven thousand naira (129,839,411) only for recurrent Expenditure, while one hundred and forty-six billion, one hundred and thirty nine million, seven hundred and seventy three thousand (146,139,773,000) only is for capital expenditure for the services of the Ondo State of Nigeria for the year ending thirty-first day of December, two thousand and twenty three.
The passage followed the submission of the report by the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Honourable Akinrogunde Akintomide during a plenary sitting presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Prophet) Oleyelogun Bamidele David at the House of Assembly Complex.
Presenting the report of the committee, Akintomide, explained that all the provisions in the year 2023 Budget proposal were thoroughly examined by the committee.
The committee observed that the year 2023 Budget proposal was prepared by the state Government in line with its REDEEMED Agenda for the State.
The majority leader, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi had earlier moved the motion that the bill to be passed into law and seconded by Hon (Dr) Abiodun Faleye after the lawmakers had unanimously agreed in a voice vote.
While appreciating other lawmakers for a job well done for the bill to become law, the Speaker reiterated the determination of the legislative arm of government to continue to work for the overall interest of the people of Ondo State at all times.
Speaking on behalf of other lawmakers, Oleyelogun expressed optimism that the budget no doubt would turn-around the economy of the State for good.
According to him, the people of Ondo State would continue to be thankful to the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, CON, for his various landmark achievements in the past six years.
Also, a bill for a law to amend the Ondo State law Commission, 2006 to change the Tenure of the members of the Commission to part time tenure of office was presented to the House.
Speaking on matter of urgent public importance, the Deputy Speaker who is representing the people of Odigbo 2 Constituency, Rt. Hon. Samuel Aderoboye condemned the arbitrary killings at Koseru ward in Odigbo local government recently.
He described the killings by miscreants as barbaric and uncalled for, calling for further investigation into the matter.
In its resolution, the House directed the appropriate committee to invite security operatives, traditional rulers and community leaders in Koseru ward in Odigbo local government in order to put an end to the unnecessary killings in the area.
Plenary was later adjourned sine die to enable Hon. Members celebrate the Christmas and New year festivals in their various constituents and also have time to prepare for the forthcoming elections. The Rt. Hon. Speaker thereafter informed Hon. Members that the Clerk of the House will communicate the date of resumption to them through the print and electronic media.
Meanwhile, the Chairman , House Committee on lnformation, Youths and Sports Development in the House, Hon. Olugbenga Omole has debunked the rumour going around that the House of Assembly Complex had been shut down by the Nigerian Union of local government (NULGE), Ondo State chapter during a peaceful protest to demand autonomy for the local governments.
According to him, there is no iota of truth in the allegation that the Assembly was under pressure to reject the local Governments autonomy. He added that the Committee of the whole had earlier sat to consider the sixty four (64) bills sought to be amended in 1999 constitution, fifth alteration, and majority of the bills were approved, while few did not enjoy the support of the Members. This was ratified at plenary and a resolution had been passed that the Clerk should transmit same to the National Assembly for necessary action.
He later assured the public that legislative activities are going on in the House, just as there was a plenary sitting today which was attended by almost all the lawmakers.
Akogun Olugbenga Omole
Chairman House Committee on Information,Youth and Sports Development.
20th December,2022.