The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday held a public hearing on the state’s 2024 supplementary budget of N92 billion.
Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, had recently forwarded to the legislative a bill for a supplementary budget of N92 billion.
The supplementary budget of N92 billion would increase the 2024 budget from the initial N395 billion to N487 billion.
Aiyedatiwa had anchored his request for a supplementary budget on the effects of petrol subsidy removal and to enable implementation of N73,000 minimum wage recently announced for the state’s workforce.
The Ministries, Departments and Agencies, (MDAs) appeared before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation in Akure to explain in details additional budget cost for their respective establishments.
The Speaker of the of Assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji, said that the exercise was a norm to shed light on some areas, urging the MDAs to comply with the committee’s invitation to ensure timely completion of the hearing.
According to Oladiji, the new minimum wage and many other items have been captured in the supplementary appropriation to move the state forward.
Also, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, explained that the supplementary bill was very important to enable the state tackle current economic realities.
Ogunmolasuyi added that without additional budget, the implementation of the new minimum wage and other activities would be difficult.
The committee chairman, who is also the Majority Leader of the House, said even though the MDAs had discussed the additional wage bill at the treasury level, it was important for the committee to properly scrutinize such cost in the supplementary budget.
Speaking to newsmen, the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Sunday Akinwalere, said that the amended appropriation if passed, would allow the ministry to provide potable water to residents of the state.
Akinwalere noted that work on provision of potable water had been concluded in the Central Senatorial District of the state, promising that other senatorial districts would be attended soon.
The House of Assembly adjourned the plenary to Wednesday. (NAN).
READ ALSO:
- Ali Baba Recalls ‘Near-death Experience’ With Sani Abacha
- World Polio Day: Uniting for the Final Push to End Polio
- Energy: 85.2% of Nigeria’s Households Use Estimated Billing – NBS Report
- Tinubu charges Nigerians to embrace CNG
- NELFUND to disburse N90bn in tuition, stipends- MD