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Tag: Ondo Assembly

  • Ondo Assembly passes N96b 2024 Supplementary Budget

    Ondo Assembly passes N96b 2024 Supplementary Budget

    Ondo State House of Assembly has passed N96billion 2024 supplementary budget.

    Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa recently forwarded to the lawmakers, a bill for a supplementary appropriation, increasing the initial N395billion 2024 budget 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 House of the Assembly in its discretion increased the governor’s proposal to N492billion, amounting to increase of N96billion.

    Read Also: Ondo Assembly threatens bench warrant against finance commissioner

    Speaking after submitting the report of the House’s Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, Owo 1/APC, said there was need for additional funds for target goals of the government.

    Ogunmolasuyi, the House Majority Leader and Chairman of the committee, said funds allocated to some government’s ministries, departments and agencies had been exhausted because of inflationary pressure on the signed 2024 budget.

    He added that the revised budget would give a clear expression for rapid development in the state.

  • Ondo Assembly threatens bench warrant against finance commissioner

    Ondo Assembly threatens bench warrant against finance commissioner

    Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s attempt to present a bill for the 2024 N487 billion Supplementary Budget faced a setback due to the absence of Finance Commissioner Mrs. Omowumi Isaac.

    Lawmakers expressed their frustration that the Finance Commissioner did not attend in person, instead sending a letter through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, A.O. Akinsemoyin.

    Additionally, they rejected a request from Assembly Speaker Olamide Oladiji to proceed with the second reading of the Supplementary Bill.

    In the letter, Akinsemoyin informed the Assembly that the Commissioner would not be able to honour the invitation because she was away on a state assignment.

    He said the Commissioner would appear before the House as soon as she returns.

    Hon Chris Ogunlami representing Okitipupa II,  said the Commissioner’s action was affront to the people of the state and the Assembly.

    Ogunlami said  she ignored the summon and failed to write the letter to the House by herself.

    He urged the House not to proceed with the second reading of the Supplementary Bill because the commissioner failed to appear to give report on the performance of the existing 2024 Budget as well as answer questions on grey areas in the Supplementary Bill.

    Read Also: Ondo Assembly begins probe of councils’ accounts

    Ogunlami moved that the reading of the Supplementary Bill be stepped down.

    Hon Olayemi Fayemi representing Ilaje II, said the House could not go to the second reading of the Supplementary Bill if some technical parts were not explained.

    “The Commissioner for Finance should tell us why the Supplementary Budget is needed.”

    Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Olamide Oladiji stepped down second reading of the Supplementary budget and ordered Clerk of the House, Benjamin Jaiyeola to write another letter to the Commissioner summoning her to appear before the House on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

    He reiterated that the Assembly has power to issue bench warrant on the Commissioner if she failed to appear before the House.

  • Ondo Assembly begins probe of councils’ accounts

    Ondo Assembly begins probe of councils’ accounts

    Ondo State House of Assembly has begun auditing the financial transactions of the 18 local governments.

    Speaking at the commencement of the exercise yesterday, the Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji, said it was the constitutional function of the legislative arm.

    Oladiji said the Assembly was an entire representation of people of the state, hence it must ensure that there was check and balance for accountability at the grassroots.

    He described as worrisome and disturbing, when local governments in the state refused to oblige to show their financial records as ordered by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    “It is a sad development when many heads of administration are reluctant to turn up for their records. It’s not their money, but public money. That is why we asked you to come for this exercise.

    “Don’t see it as something else because some may want to blackmail us. We are not here to do what it’s not our right, but to do the right thing and for posterity to judge us.

    Read Also: Ondo Assembly begins probe of LGs accounts

    “For eight months, are you saying we should not check your records. Cooperate with us or else, we will use the sledge hammer as a legislative arm of the government,” he said.

    The Speaker asked the heads of local government administration to cooperate with the house and present every document requested by the committee.

    “There is no record that you must keep away from us except you have a secret. If you don’t have any document we ask for now, go back and bring it.

    “Nobody is demanding anything from you. Oblige the Assembly if we demand any record. It is an embarrassment to the Assembly if we request something and you refuse.

    “Our aim is that our people should enjoy dividend of the democracy,” he said.

  • Ondo Assembly begins probe of LGs accounts

    Ondo Assembly begins probe of LGs accounts

    The Ondo State House of Assembly has begun auditing the financial transactions of the 18 Local Governments of the state.

    Speaking at the commencement of the exercise on Monday, the Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji, said it was the constitutional function of the legislative arm.

    Oladiji said that the Assembly was an entire representation of people of the state, hence it must ensure that there was checks and balance for accountability at the grassroots.

    He described as worrisome and disturbing, when local governments in the state refused to oblige to show their financial records as ordered by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    “It is a sad development when many heads of administration are reluctant to turn up for their records. It’s not their money, but public money. That is why we asked you to come for this exercise.

    “Don’t see it as something else because some may want to blackmail us. We are not here to do what it’s not our right, but to do the right thing and for posterity to judge us.

    “For eight months, are you saying we should not check your records. Cooperate with us or else, we will use the sledge hammer as a legislative arm of the government,” he said.

    The speaker asked the heads of local government administration to cooperate with the house and present every document requested by the committee.

    “There is no record that you must keep away from us except you have a secret. If you don’t have any document we ask for now, go back and bring it.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Ondo Assembly to screen Aiyedatiwa’s nominee as deputy governor Thursday

    “Nobody is demanding anything from you. Oblige the Assembly if we demand any record. It is an embarrassment to the Assembly if we request something and you refuse.

    “Our aim is that our people should enjoy dividend of the democracy,” he said.

    Earlier, Japhet Oluwatoyin, Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said that the exercise was a major function of the legislative arm being entrenched in the Constitution.

    Oluwatoyin added that the Assembly has power to appropriate and supervise the funds of the local governments.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the six local governments that appeared before the committee were: Akoko North-West, Akoko North-East, Akoko South-West, Akoko South-East, Ose and Owo.

    (NAN)

  • I won’t betray you, Adelami tells Aiyedatiwa after confirmation by Ondo Assembly

    I won’t betray you, Adelami tells Aiyedatiwa after confirmation by Ondo Assembly

    Ondo State Deputy Governor nominee, Okayide Owolabi Adelami, has promised not to betray Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the confidence reposed in him.

    Adelami, a retired Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, spoke shortly after he was screened and confirmed by the Ondo State House of Assembly.

    He said he would not disappoint the people of the state.

    Clerk of the House, Jaiyeola Benjamin, esrlier read a letter sent to the House by Governor Aiyedatiwa for the consideration of the nominees for the vacant position of a deputy governor.

    Speaking during Thursday’s plenary, Speaker Olamide Oladiji said the confirmation was sequel to the submission and consideration of a report by the House Selection Committee.

    Deputy Speaker of the House, Prince Abayomi Akinruntan, who submitted the report, recommended the confirmation of the appointment of Adelami.

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa picks deputy governor, sacks exco

    Akinruntan noted that Adelami responded to all questions raised by the Committee in a very eloquent and explicit order.

    He said the Deputy Governor nominee has an understanding of the position as well possessed the required academic qualifications, physically, mentally and emotionally stable and fit to accomplish the task.

    Majority leader of the House, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, moved the motion for the report to be considered and the nominee be confirmed and was seconded by Felix Afe representing Akoko North West 2.

    Speaker Oladiji pledged the Assembly support to the Executive to enable the people enjoy more democracy dividend.

    Adelami, on his part, thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for nominating him.

    He promised not to betray his emotion and also promised to do everything at his disposal to function effectively.

  • Ondo Assembly hiked 2024 budget with N10bn

    Ondo Assembly hiked 2024 budget with N10bn

    The Ondo state House of Assembly has passed a hiked 2024 appropriation bill into law.

    It increased the budget proposal by over N10,734,000,000.

    Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had presented a budget proposal of N385bm which comprised capital expenditure of N222,259,827,500.00 and recurrent expenditure of N172,997,172,500.00

    But the Assembly passed a budget of N395,257,000,000 after it adopted the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, presented by its chairman, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi.

    Ogunmolasuyi explained that the committee hiked the budget after an interface with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

    Read Also: Ondo Assembly may hike 2024 budget

    He appealed to the executive to ensure internally generated revenue is sustained and improved for the budget to meet the needs of the people

    Speaker of the Assembly, Oladiji Olamide, said the bill would trigger development and growth if signed into law.

    Oladiji prayed to God to grant the Aiyedatiwa the wisdom and wherewithal to steer the state to a destination of fulfillment.

    The Ondo Assembly also passed the 2024 N6bn Appropriation Bill for the services of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS).

    It comprised N5, 468,791,588.00 for recurrent expenditure while N855,451,755.00 for the capital expenditure.

  • Ondo Assembly may hike 2024 budget

    Ondo Assembly may hike 2024 budget

    The Ondo State House of Assembly might increase the 2024 budget proposal as presented by the Acting Governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    Aiyedatiwa had presented the sum of N384,533,000,000 as an appropriation bill for the 2024 fiscal year.

    Christened Budget of Economic Resilience, Aiyedatiwa said the budget contained a reasonable increase in the personnel estimates to cover the imminent wage increase for workers.

    Indications that the Assembly might hike the budget proposal emerged at the commencement of the budget defence by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

    Some commissioners complained that the money was allocated to their Ministries.

    Commissioner for Works, Engr. Raheem Aminu complained that many ongoing projects might be affected further by funding challenges.

    Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Rasaq Obe said his ministry needs increased budgetary allocation to meet the power needs of the people.

    He urged the lawmakers to monitor the release of funds for optimal performance.

    Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said the Assembly would pass a budget that would add value to the people of the state.

    Hon. Ogunmolasuyi said the Assembly would also consider the effect of the fuel subsidy removal in passing the budget.

    Read Also: Supporters rejoice as Ondo Assembly decleres Aiyedatiwa as acting governor

    “We all know that it is the very first Appropriation Bil the Tenth Assembly will be considering, it is, therefore, behove on us to collectively take conscious efforts to concentrate on the issue that dominates our present concern, our vision, hopes as well as our aspirations for the State.

    “We hope that 2024 Appropriation of N384,533,000,000.00 broken into N172,518,140,353.00 for Recurrent and N212,014,859, 647.00 for Capital Expenditure that is aimed at cushioning the effect of fuel subsidy removal cover the imminent wage increase for workers as well as control the floating exchange rate will live to its billing

    “There is the need to contribute our quota positively towards the attainment of a very visionary Budget for our dear State which will ensure that there is a great commitment of service to humanity.”

    Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Olamide Oladiji, said the budget was geared towards further consolidation of numerous ongoing programmes/projects of the present administration.

  • Group submits security bill to Ondo Assembly

    The forum of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the Ondo State House of Assembly has submitted a Draft Bill for a Referendum Law aimed at giving legal backing to the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) before the House.

    Two members of the forum, Yemi Tadema and Niyi Adebusoye, said they have forwarded a letter to the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly,  David Oloyelogun, saying that the draft bill be debated at a conference of Speakers of the Southwest states.

    In a statement, they said: “We urged that each of the state Houses of Assembly in the geopolitical zone should expedite action in passing the bill into law.

    “We equally urged that  each of the governors of Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti and Osun states should be encouraged to give expeditious assent to the bill in order to bring the DAWN to reality.”

  • Group submits security bill to Ondo Assembly

    The forum of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the Ondo State House of Assembly has submitted a Draft Bill for a Referendum Law aimed at giving legal backing to the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) before the House.

    Two members of the forum, Yemi Tadema and Niyi Adebusoye, said they have forwarded a letter to the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly,  David Oloyelogun, saying that the draft bill be debated at a conference of Speakers of the Southwest states.

    Read Also: Ondo empowers youths with skills

    In a statement, they said: “We urged that each of the state Houses of Assembly in the geopolitical zone should expedite action in passing the bill into law.

    “We equally urged that  each of the governors of Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti and Osun states should be encouraged to give expeditious assent to the bill in order to bring the DAWN to reality.”

  • Ondo Assembly passes College of Health Tech. Bill

    The Ondo State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law to provide for the establishment of the Ondo State College of Health Technology in Akure.

    In a report presented during the plenary to the house on Tuesday by the Chairman House Committee on Health, Dr. Kazeem Sulaiman said the committee held series of meetings to critically examine the programme before presenting to the whole house for deliberation.

    The chairman observed that the provision of the bill would encourage training of middle-level health manpower.

    He said the bill, if passed into law, would provide, encourage research in all fields of training, particularly in the health science.

    Sulaiman, however, recommended that the provision of the bill were justifiable and should, therefore, be passed into law.

    Read Also: Gunmen terrorise motorists, others in Ondo

    The Majority Leader, Jamiu Maito, representing Akoko North West Constituency 1, moved the motion that the bill should be moved to the third reading and passed.

    The house, presided by Speaker Bamidele Oleyelogun after thorough deliberation on the bill, unanimously agreed that the bill should be passed.

    Oleyelogun commended the members for the bill and promised the bill would be forward to the executive arm of the government for assent.