By:Ade Philips
The Ondo State House of Assembly on Friday passed the 2024 Appropriation bill of N 395, 257,000,000.
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.
Recall that Acting Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa recently presented a N385 billion Appropriation Bill to the house.
NAN reports that the proposed budget comprised of capital expenditure of N222,259,827,500.00 with the recurrent expenditure of N172,997,172,500.00
Ogunmolasuyi, who represents Owo Constituency 1/APC, said that the estimate passed by the assembly was higher than what the governor presented by over N10,734,000,000
“ The committee after an interface with Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs) for defence of their respective 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.
“ The Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget and Ministry of Finance in conjunction with the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service ( ODIRS) 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 of the House of the Assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji.
Speaking on the bill, Oladiji said that the bill if signed into law would turn around the state and trigger development and growth..
He said that with the bill when signed into law, the governor would be well equipped to serve the 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 job well done.
The House of Assembly also passed the 2024 N6 billion Appropriation Bill for the services of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service ( ODIRS).
The 2024 ODIRS Appropriation Bill has N5,468,791,588.00 is for the recurrent expenditure while N855,451, 755.00 for the capital expenditure.
The lawmakers earlier paid a tribute to late governor of the state,Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who died on Wednesday.
Mr Olatunji Oshati, Ose/ APC, 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.
In his remarks, Ogunmolasuyi, who could not hold his emotion, burst into tears when describing the late governor as a man who had written his name in gold for his remarkable achievements in the state and Nigeria at large.
Similarly, the speaker said that the news of 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 masses.
Oladiji prayed that God would grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort his immediate family and the state.
There was a minute of silence in respect of the late governor.
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