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Tag: Ondo State House of Assembly

  • Ondo Assembly confirms two for commissioners, approves 10 SAs for governor

    Ondo Assembly confirms two for commissioners, approves 10 SAs for governor

    Ondo State House of Assembly yesterday confirmed two commissioners-designate, Dr Kayode Ajulo and Mrs Omowunmi Issac, whose names were forwarded to it by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa after his inauguration on Monday.

    Mr Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, APC/Owo 1, moved a motion for the report of the Committee of Whole House to be presented on the commissioners-nominee for confirmation.

    Dr Chris  Ogunlana, Irele/APC, seconded the motion.

    The Deputy Speaker, Mr Abayomi Akinruntan, who submitted the report, said the nominees possessed requirements to function as commissioners, adding that the two candidates were mentally and physically fit to excel in their positions.

    Speaking on the commissioners-designate, a member, Chief Olamide Oladiji, said the duo had been screened and found worthy to serve in the capacity.

    ”These nominees have distinguished themselves in their professional fields, and have carved a niche for themselves in all spheres of life.

    ”They have meritoriously served the state, hence their nomination by Mr Governor.

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    ” Dr Ajulo, SAN, is a legal luminary, with proven integrity, within and outside the bar.

    “He has been able to distinguish himself in his professional field, and has received national honours and several laurels, due to hard work and dedication.

    ”Also, Mrs Omowunmi is a financial expert that has contributed immensely to the development of Ondo State, and has managed the lean resources of the state for economic and infrastructural development and advancement,” he said.

    Oladiji asked the commissioners-designate to uphold truth and discharge their duties to the best of their abilities, so that the state would continue to be the positive reference in the comity of states in the country.

    The legislators subsequently by a voice vote of the majority confirmed the two commissioners-designate.

    Speaking after their confirmation, Ajulo hailed the state governor for having faith and confidence in them, saying they would serve in line with the laws of the land.

    The House of Assembly also approved the request of the  governor to appoint 10 special advisers.

    The House of the Assembly thereafter adjourned plenary till today.

  • Ondo commissioner predicts famine due to low rainfall

    Ondo commissioner predicts famine due to low rainfall

    A farmer and commissioner in the Ondo State House of Assembly Service Commission, Adebusuyi Idowu Pius, has raised the alarm over looming famine in the country due to low rainfall this year.

    Adebusuyi said many farmers who cultivated crops after the early rains have recorded huge losses.

    Adebusuyi, who spoke at a press briefing in Akure, called on the government at all levels to put legislation in place to promote the use of alternative energy.

    He said it was worrisome that the government was not taking the depletion of the ozone layer seriously due to the continuous use of generators instead of solar energy.

    He said: “Many farmers planted with the early rains of this year and suddenly the rain stopped. Many of the farmers have been affected particularly those that cultivated maize and other vegetables.

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    “The implication is that there will be hunger next year. In the North, there is a high level of insecurity. If you put in the issue of climatic change and nothing serious is done to improve the situation, there will be serious famine. You will discover that people are queuing to buy beans as they are already queuing to buy garri. Look at the situation today, there is no rain. We cannot continue like this. We are going to face serious famine. We should also be expecting flooding and alarming heat. Individuals and government have a role to play.

    “The government should ensure that anything that will cause the depletion of the ozone layer is avoided. I want this issue to be addressed. We must start immediately. The government must come up with a policy that there is a tree in every building. We are not taking the depletion of the ozone layer seriously. We should use alternative sources of energy.

    “This year, I was aware of the weather forecast that there will be serious heat. Because I was aware there would be trouble, I embarked on irrigation. It is only cassava that can survive this terrible weather, this hot weather. Maize and tomatoes cannot survive the hot weather. The only solution was for me to embark on irrigation.

    “This a global thing. There is a lot the government at all levels can do. People should be encouraged to use alternative energy.”

  • ‘I know nothing about Oba-Akoko electoral crises’

    A former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Victor Adekanye Olabimtan, has debunked reports linking him with the electoral crises in Oba-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area, during the March 23 elections.

    He described the report as fallacious, reckless, wild and a calculated to tarnish his integrity.

    Olabimtan said contrary to the report that he led soldiers and policemen to Oba-Akoko to snatch ballot boxes, leading to the death of two persons; he was ambushed by protesting youths of the town on his way to Akure after voting in his Supare-Akoko country home.

    The ex-Speaker, who addressed a news conference yesterday, said investigations have revealed that all the “impeccable sources” quoted in the story are fake, fictitious and fabricated. He challenged the online news medium to come up with evidence to prove his involvement in the exercise in Oba-Akoko.

    The statement reads: “…on March 25, Sahara Reporters published a malicious and unverified story against my person. I believe the fabricated news was sponsored to malign my name and tag me what doesn’t concern me. This conference is necessary to clear my name and put the record straight.

    “I was in my house in Supare Akoko relaxing after voting in my unit on March 9. Sometime between 1 and 2pm, I got a call from one Dapo Faseesin that there was crisis in Ose, a suburb of Oba. Election had been concluded in Ose, but that INEC officials, he and ballot boxes were in danger.

    “He said he tried the governor’s number but could not get through, so I should help him raise alarm so that security can be provided for them in Ose. He said they were been attacked because they disobeyed the order of Oloba by voting their conscience instead of voting for one particular candidate as ordered. He explained that his house, business and properties were being attacked and destroyed because he refused to obey the marching order.

    “I called the governor to update him. Surprisingly, the governor was already aware of the incident. He was surprised, and assured me that security personnel will be sent to Oba to control the situation. The governor said his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Alhaji Dojumo, will mobilise security operatives to secure Oba and Ose. I also told the governor that I might meet Dojumo and his team on the way as I was already leaving Supare for Akure to resume my duty as the state agent for my party at INEC office.

    “So I left for Akure with my driver and police orderly. We were just three in the vehicle, contrary to the multitudes reported by Sahara Reporters. My journey to Akure was smooth until I arrived at Oba-Akoko.”

     

     

     

     

  • We are in financial predicament – Ondo Assembly

    The Ondo State House of Assembly on Thursday urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to bail it out of financial mess.

    It lamented the harsh situation  of the hallowed chambers.

    The lawmakers at a plenary session observed that the situation had got to a stage where they used papers to fan themselves due to enormous heat occasioned by lack of stable electricity and funds to power generators. 

    They emphasized that they were financially handicapped,stressing that they could not spend without the consent of the executives.

    The legislators noted that the financial autonomy of the state of Assembly would go a long way in alleviating their financial predicament. 

    The Deputy Speaker, Iroju Ogundeji raising a matter of urgent importance, appealed to th Akeredolu to release fund to the parliament in order to embark on constituency projects which they never had been deprived of in the last three years.

    The Minority leader, Sola Ebiwonjumi debunked reports that the state government had procured utility vehicles and gave them constituency funds.

    The Speaker, Bamidele Oloyelogun said the little contributions of the lawmakers to their constituencies were from personal efforts through loans. 

    Oloyelogun urged the governor to attend to their needs in the interest of true democratic values.

  • Akeredolu targets legacy projects

    Akeredolu targets legacy projects

    For the first time since he assumed office, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has presented the 2018 Budget to the Ondo State House of Assembly for approval. DAMISI OJO reports that while presenting the Appropriation Bill tagged, ‘Budget of Progress’ Akeredolu said though his administration met a worrisome state of affairs, the budget is designed to achieve stability, fiscal reprioritisation and consolidation for sustainable growth and development.

    The hallowed chamber of the Ondo State House of Assembly erupted in loud ovation as Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu presented his first budget to the Assembly. Intermittently, he waited for the happy crowd to be quiet as he reeled off what some analysts have termed ‘Legacy Projects’ to be executed in the state’s 2018 Budget.

    The governor was unpretentious about the determination of his administration to leave the state better than he met it, despite the huge challenges imposed on it by the dwindling fortunes of the nation’s economy.

    The Appropriation Bill tagged “Budget of Progress”, totalling N171.268 billion, contained N81.521 billion for recurrent expenditures and N68.096 for capital expenditures.

    “This Administration solicits the understanding of our people in the face of the challenges currently experienced by all due to paucity of funds. There has been no significant shift in the situation since we assumed office. It is with utmost confidence that I present this current budget to the House for realistic scrutiny and eventual approval,” Akeredolu said.

    Looking up at the Assembly’s gallery where the people were, the governor narrated the sorry state of the state’s economy.

    He said: ”On assumption of office Mr. Speaker, we met a worrisome state of affairs, with the economy of the state almost in comatose.  We were confronted with very serious social, economic challenges. We were faced with severe economic uncertainties, with stunted economic growth, massive youth unemployment and under-employment. Aside from these, several of the roads and education infrastructure were in very poor state, the industrial sector was in a coma and above all, we met a highly demotivated workforce as a result of non-payment of salaries as and when due.”

    In what appears to be a very ambitious and daring step, Akeredolu listed the projects to be executed in the new year to include dual carriage way of Ikare Township roads; completion of the dual carriage way of Owo Township roads; rehabilitation of Ugbe Road; rehabilitation of selected roads in Ose Local Government Area; rehabilitation of Ipele Township Road; dual carriageway of ‘A’ Division-Hospital Road-Olukayode Roundabout-Oke-Obere, Ijoka Road; construction of Oke-Obere, Ijoka in Akure to Idanre and construction of Gaga Community Road, Akure.

    Others are the construction of Oke-Ogba Community Road, Akure; construction of Court of Appeal Road, Akure; rehabilitation of selected roads in Bolorunduro; rehabilitation of Igbara-Oke-Ibuji to Ondo/Ekiti State boundary; rehabilitation of roads in Isarun in Ifedore Local Government Area; dual carriage way of Akure–Iju-Ita-Ogbolu to Ondo/Ekiti State boundary; rehabilitation of selected roads in Ile-Oluji; construction of a fly-over (inter-change bridge) at Ore Junction; rehabilitation of selected roads in Odigbo; rehabilitation of selected roads in Okitipupa and the rehabilitation of selected roads in Igbotu and Igbobini.

    Perhaps, the most resounding of these projects are the construction of a new access road to Idanre; the dualisation of Ikare Township Road and the construction of an overhead bridge in Ore.

    These projects, when completed, will further open up the state to investors, while also cementing its position as the agricultural hub of the Southwest.

    For these and other road projects, the government has set aside the sum of N15 billion in the 2018 fiscal year.

    According to a political analyst, Dr. Kayode Fafisibe, the 2018 Budget presented by the governor is a masterstroke that will enshrine his name in the roll of leaders who came and impacted on the state.

    Fafisibe is particularly happy about the construction of a new access road to Idanre. According to him, the town, aside from being a popular tourism destination, is growing into becoming the headquarters of cocoa farming and production.

    “The construction of a new road to Idanre is one of the best decisions any government can take. It is a confirmation of the promise by Governor Akeredolu to open up the state to agriculture by constructing access roads to all major towns and villages. This will, no doubt, boost the economy of the state by making agriculture attractive to young farmers,” Fafisibe explained.

    Also, the construction of a flyover at Ore will go a long way in solving the traffic gridlock experienced by travellers plying the popular intersection between the West and East of the country. Being the first of its type in the state, it will surely be a reference point of the governor’s achievements for ages to come.

    “For most of us in this part, the construction of a flyover at Ore still sounds like a dream. It will solve whatever traffic problem that has persisted in the area for a long time. As a matter of time, I can tell you that it will form part of the legacies that will showcase Akeredolu’s success in Ondo State,” Ikuelogbon Bamitale, a transporter said.

    For the people of the northern senatorial district, transforming Ikare Akoko Town roads into dual carriage way is a long-time dream realised. The town, generally regarded as the capital of Akoko land, remains one of the few major towns without dual carriage way.

    It was a good piece of news for the people of Ikare and indeed, Akoko land, when Governor Akeredolu listed the town’s roads as one of the projects to transformed into dual carriage way this year.

    Reacting to the news, the member representing Akoko North East and Akoko North West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Friday Olemija, described it as the best thing to happen to Akoko people.

    He said the project will further open up the entire Akoko land to developments, adding that, on completion of the roads, the governor would surely have written his name in gold in the hearts of the people.

    “This is, perhaps, the best thing to happen to us. I am so happy that in our life time, the roads in Ikare would be transformed into dual carriage way. This is a confirmation of the change mantra of our party and the honest intention of our governor to develop Ondo State and leave it better than he met it,” Olemija said.

    The projects, spread across the three senatorial districts, is proof of the governor’s promise to the people not to leave any part of the state untouched in his developmental strides. It is also a distant departure from the past when leaders concentrated projects in particular sections of the state, and leaved other parts to suffer.

    “That was the trademark of some leaders in the past. They developed their own towns and areas, and neglected other parts of the state. This is a good development, and I think the governor deserves some commendation for this selfless act,” Fafisibe said.

    Governor Akeredolu also assured the people that the budget was designed to achieve stability and consolidation among other strategies, in order to create a solid base for growth and development.

    He said: “Mr. Speaker, l am pleased to inform you that the 2018 Budget is designed to achieve stability, fiscal reprioritisation and consolidation to create the base for sustainable growth and development.  It is focused on reversing the growth of debt, unsustainable deficits and the burden of interest payments which is almost unsustainable.  The state has also re-negotiated the bond it took in 2012 while the restructuring of other loans is in progress.  These will free up more funds that will be re-invested in capital projects.”

    As part of the strategies to ensure that the dreams become realities, the government has formulated a paper tagged Blueprint to Progress that is anchored on the administration’s 5-point agenda.

    The governor said: “In order to orchestrate the desired progress and re-activate our collective aspiration towards achieving the positive yearnings of our people, we have launched the Strategic Development and Policy Implementation Plan document tagged the Blueprint to Progress of this administration.

    “This document, Mr. Speaker, is anchored on a Five-Point Agenda, “Programme of Progress”, and as such we have christened the state’s 2018 Budget as “Budget of Progress”.  The budget has been tailored towards the programmes contained in the Strategic Development and Policy Implementation document – Blue Print to Progress of this administration.”

    The effort to redistribute development to all parts of the state began in the outgone year soon after he assumed office as governor.

    On roads already completed, the governor said “… we have made effort in road construction and rehabilitation despite the lean resources available to us.  The 2.5 km Jubilee-Ugbe Road has been completed.  At Ifon, we have completed Ogbon-Omo Road, Igbadara Road, Howlet Road and Ajegunle Road.  Similarly, Bajare Road in Idanre and some other roads across the three senatorial districts are already completed.   The first phase of 1.2 km Abusoro/Idanre Road asphalt-laying has since been completed and the second phase will commence very soon.

    “We are currently working on several other road projects across the state such as Sabomi Road, Ayeka-Irele (swamp section) internal road network at Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), St Joseph/Lisa Road, Idanre and the notorious Iwaro-Oke-Oka-Epinmi-Isua Junction Road.”

    With the steady manoeuvring of the economy of the state to a prosperous destination despite the huge debt inherited by the administration, Governor Akeredolu has shown that with disciplined spending and adequate planning, the state can rediscover itself and embark on a path of development.

  • Ondo Assembly passes 2017 Budget

    Ondo Assembly passes 2017 Budget

    Ondo State House of Assembly Monday passed the state 2017 Budget proposal of N170, 846,580billion transmitted to the House by Governor Olurotimi Akeredolu into law penultimate week.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation,Sunday Olajide presented the report of the Committtee to the House.

    He said the bill, having undergo proper scrutiny by its members and public sitting for all Ministries,Department and Agencies,(MDAs)the extremely restrained itself from granting indiscriminate request by MDAs because of paucity of fund.

    Olajide noted that the committee only redistributed fund on some critical areas with a marginal increase by N1, 126,000,000.

    The lawmaker said the overall budgetary provision would now be N170, 846,580,000.

    Olajide highlighted the observation of the committee that the 2017 expenditurewas carefully projected and set at sustainable level with due to consideration for the present economic realities.

    The committee however recommended that all MDAs should ensure that the provisions in the budget are applied to the needs stated therein.

    Besides,it said the Board of internal Revenue should make vigorous efforts to block all identified leakages as much as possible.

    The State government according to the committee should take all the steps necessary to propel all income generating MDAs to embark on internally generated revenue drive in line with extant laws with a view to attain their revenue target.

    The Speaker of the House, David Oleyelogun appreciated all members of the Budget Committee for their effort and commended other members of the House for their cooperation and diligence in the process of working on the Budget proposal.

    The budget has increased by N1,126,000,000 with the N169,720,580 billion earlier presented by the Governor on June 5,2017,making a total sum of N170,846,580.billion

    The new budget which put the  Recurrent Expenditure at  N95,159,200,000 billion ,capital expenditure at N59,186,681,884 billion,debt service at N8,126,698,115 billion and statutory transfer at N8,374,000,000.

    The Assembly unanimously approved the Budget after members deliberated on the report of the House Committee on Budget which scrutinized the bill as proposed by the Governor.

  • Ondo Assembly gets Principal Officers, Standing Committees

    Ondo Assembly gets Principal Officers, Standing Committees

    Ondo State House of Assembly, Wednesday elected the principal officers of the legislative house.

    Besides, names of its standing committees were read to the house by the Speaker, Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun.

    The Speaker who represents Ifedore Constituency and his Deputy, Iroju Ogundeji from Odigbo Constituency 1 were elected on April 3.

    The elected officers were Majority leader, Olugbenga Araoyinbo, Chief Whip, Olusola Feyide, Deputy Majority Leader, Segun Ajimotokan, Parliamentary Secretary, Suileman Maito, Whip, Akintimehin Isaiah, Minority Leader, Sola Ebiwonjumi, and Akindiose Olusiji, Minority Whip.

    The Speaker admonished all members to see the assignments as opportunities to serve the State as a window of chance to improve the well-being of the common man.

    This according to him was to emancipate the economic strength of the state by contributing to a strong drive of its Internal Generated Revenue (IGR).

    Oleyelogun charged new House Leaders to exhibit fair play and display maturity in discharging their assigned duties.

    He said; “Every member should embrace the spirit of oneness and ensure that bureaucratic sanitation, proper transparency, accountability and due process is re -activated into the Civil Service like in the olden days.

    “This especially is by encouraging the good plans and aspirations of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu”.

    The speaker urged the committee members to see themselves as Check and Balance Agent and legislative guide to Civil Servants.

    He also pleaded that all government resources must be judiciously harnessed, noting that there is a reduction in the time- lag of executing government projects.

    The lawmaker reiterated that there may be more jobs for members as legislatures, but should maximize this opportunity to perform their oversight functions with their competence and experience.

  • Ondo Assembly converts suspension of officers to resignation

    Ondo Assembly converts suspension of officers to resignation

    Ondo State House of Assembly has converted the recent controversial impeachment of its principal officers to resignation.

    At the sitting of the House for plenary Wednesday, Gbenga Araoyinbo moved the motion and was seconded by Sunday Olajide.

    A group of 13 lawmakers had impeached and suspended former Speaker Jumoke Akindele and other principal officers in February.

    The affected officers tendered their resignation two weeks ago as part of the reconciliation efforts in the House of Assembly.

    The 13-member group, initially led by Malachi Coker, has since taken control of the House and elected new principal officers including Bamidele Oloyelogun as Speaker and Iroju Ogundeji,the Deputy Speaker.

  • Akeredolu opts for reconciliation between factions in Ondo Assembly

    Akeredolu opts for reconciliation between factions in Ondo Assembly

    The Ondo State House of Assembly complex was reopened for workers Tuesday after weeks of closure by the police.

    However, the two factions of the Assembly have been told not to carry out sittings in the chambers until further notice.

    This would further give opportunity for possible reconciliation between the two warring groups which have 13 members each.

    The group led by Malachi Coker has now settled for David Oleyeloogun, representing Ifedore Constituency, as the adopted candidate for the position of Speaker of the Assembly.

    Oleyeloogun was elected in a shadow poll conducted by the Malachi group at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office.

    He defeated Olamide George, representing Akure North, in the shadow poll by six votes to five. Both contestants had been disallowed from voting in the election.

    The group also adopted Hon. Ogundeji Iroju from Odigbo Constituency as Deputy Speaker.

    It therefore approached Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for recognition and approval to reopen the Assembly chamber for sitting and change of leadership.

    However, the governor was said to have declined the request, insisting on a reconciliation of all the 26 members of the Assembly.

    The other group led by Speaker Jumoke Akindele is holding its ground on retaining the leadership of the house until an official change of leadership is effected.

    Sources said a meeting between the two warring groups has now been tentatively scheduled to hold on Thursday.

  • N15m Fraud: Our lives under threat, Ondo lawmakers cry out

    N15m Fraud: Our lives under threat, Ondo lawmakers cry out

    Following the impeachment of the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Mrs. Jumoke Akindele,‎ Deputy Speaker, Fatai Olotu and Majority Leader, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, over alleged N15 million fraud scandal, some members of the assembly have alleged threat to their lives.

    The immediate cause of the Speaker’s impeachment, on Friday, January 27, 2016, was the Assembly’s paymaster and ally of the Speaker, Mr. Makanjuola Adesina, who was caught with N15 million in cash at the Assembly Complex.

    Mr. Adesina was said to have confessed that he was holding the money for Mrs. Akindele.

    Addressing journalist in Ibadan Wednsday, the spokesperson of the Assembly, Mr Iroju Ogundeji who was accompanied by the Acting Speaker, Mr Malachi Coker and other 11 lawmakers who signed the impeachment of the erstwhile speaker, Iroju said they ran down to Ibadan because they have been receiving series of text messages and calls from unknown person threatening their lives if they do not reverse the impeachment of the former speaker.

    Iroju called on the Inspector General of Police and the State Commissioner of Police to provide adequate security for them and protect their families.

    He also urged the State Commissioner of Police to immediately withdraw security aides attached to the impeached Speaker since she is no more the speaker, adding that all heads of the security agencies in the state should also withdraw their men from Mrs. Akindele.

    “20 out of 26 members signed the notice of impeachment. The impeachment has come to stay and there is no going back on it because the members that carried out the impeachment formed the 2/3 majority of the State House of Assembly,” he said.

    Iro‎ju also accused the State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko of backing the impeached Speaker, adding that he has been calling each of them and playing a divide and rule tactics.

    “The executive arm has been interfering in the impeachment of the speaker which ought not to be so because we are an independent body. ‎Both Mrs Akindele and Olotu should have been impeached last year March for high-handedness but Governor Mimiko intervened and assisted her to escape impeachment.

    “We are not against Governor Mimiko but we are against corruption. These principal officers of the house has committed an offence and they must go,” he said.

    He also disclosed that the impeached speaker has approached the court to obtain an injunction stopping her impeachment but the court declined her and adjourned the case till March 6, 2017.

    Similarly, the new Majority leader, Mr Olamide George said the impeached speaker claimed to have used the N15 million ‎for the execution of the assembly project, but challenged her to produce the contractor and identify the project.

    “The impeachment of Mrs Akindele and others have nothing to do with the new governor coming into office and it is not All Progressive Congress (APC) that is using us as it is been speculated in some quarters. APC has nothing to do with this. Those of us that are People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members are not thinking of crossing to APC. We shall remain and stay in PDP. We are in control of the house now because we have the Maze of office and other instrument of office,” he said.

    George called on all well-meaning indigenes of Ondo State to prevail on the impeached officers to allow peace reign in the state and allow the Assembly to work.