OGUN 2020 APPROPRIATION BILL SCALES SECOND READING
The Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Olakunle Sobukanla, opening debate on the bill noted that the bill covered and addressed core indices of development including health, infrastructure, education and social security amongst others.
Penpushing further reports that, all the lawmakers who contributed to the debate on the bill including the Majority Leader, Sheriff and the Minority Leader, Oyedeji agreed that it was put together in line with the international best practices in public finance, admitting that it gave room for due diligence through promotion of prudency, probity and accountability.
The lawmakers stated that the bill made critical provisions for the needs of the people, while seeking for even spread of all projects listed in the budget to all parts of the State to promote inclusiveness, they also canvassed for an effective and efficient budget implementation for the benefit of the people of the State.
Penpushing also reports that they said relevant provisions of the budget as explained at the just concluded Budget Retreat for the members in Ogere, indicated that the fiscal instrument was well designed to address socio-economic and Infrastructural challenges confronting the State, while creating an avenue for effective budget implementation mechanisms to aid quality service delivery in all sectors of the State economy.
The Speaker, Kunle Oluomo while responding thanked his collegue-lawmakers for their robust contributions to the debate on the bill, saying that having interacted with the various experts on budget issues at the last budget retreat, the lawmakers were better informed on the provisions and principles of the budget and thereafter committed the bill to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further legislative actions.
Penpushing recalled that barely a week ago, Governor Dapo Abiodun had presented a budget proposal of N449.974billion for 2020 financial year to the State lawmakers. christened ” Budget to Build Our Future Together” at a plenary presided over by the Speaker, at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan.
The Governor explained that the annual fiscal estimate was targeted at reflecting the present administration’s determination to deliver on its electoral promises to the people and gave breakdown explaining that N269.132Bn representing (60.31%) was proposed for capital projects, with N180.842Bn (39.69%) set aside for recurrent expenditure, adding that salaries and allowances stood at N83.238Bn.
Penpushing reports that, he further noted that pension and gratuities would take N25.94Bn representing 18% of total expenditure with the balance of N71.659Bn resulting in 16% of the total budget earmarked for overhead cost.
The Governor said that government would formulate policy thrust for the holistic actualization of the budget towards localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the public- private partnership initiatives, having put in place a mechanism for a workable public financial management system to eliminate leakages at ensuring efficient and judicious use of the State’s wealth.
Penpushing further reports that, in another development, following the announcement of the names of Commissioner nominees, by the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, as contained in Governor ‘Dapo Abiodun’s letter dated 11th December, 2019, the Speaker has called on all the nominees to appear for screening before the State Lawmakers on Monday, 16th December, 2019 at 2.00pm prompt.
The Speaker in a statement said nominees are to come along with 30copies each of their curriculum vitae and other relevant credentials including Evidence of Asset declaration with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) .
The nominees are Hon. Morufu Afolabi Afuape, Oludotun Taiwo, Ganiyu Hamzat, Funmi Efuwape, Dr. Kehinde Oluwadare, Barr. Femi Ogunbanwo and Jagunmolu Jamiu Akande Omoniyi, Hon. Toyin Taiwo, Hon. Tunji Akinosi, Ade Adesanya, Dr. Adeola Odedina, Prof. Sidi Osho, Dapo Okubadejo, Dr. Tomi Coker, Hon. Abiodun Abudu – Balogun, Gbolahan Adeniran Tunji Odunlami and Laolu Olabimtan.
