ONDO ASSEMBLY COMMITS 2024 AMENDED BILL TO COMMITTEE STAGE AS FINANCE COMMISSIONER HONOURS INVITATION
A bill to amend the 2024 appropriation law has sailed through the second reading just as this would enable the government of Ondo State to implement the 73,000 minimum wage for its workers and also address the effects of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria.
The proposed supplementary budget totaling 487.437 billion naira out of which the sum of 246 billion naira is allocated for recurrent expenditure ,while the sum of over 241billion naira is meant for capital expenditure.
At a plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House,Rt.Hon(Chief) Olamide Oladiji at the House of Assembly complex,the lawmakers resolved to proceed with the 2024 supplementary budget as the State Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Omowumi Isaac honoured their invitation.The lawmakers explained that the Commissioner had earlier appeared at their parliamentary meeting where she extensively analyzed the supplementary bill, adding that it’s a right step in a right direction.
According to her,she would not relent in her oars of reforming the finance sector and continue to facilitate grants that would bring about development for the overall interest of the people of the State among others
Earlier,the Clerk of the House, Barrister Benjamin Jaiyeola had read the letter from the State government asking for the amendment of the 2024 budget.
A motion for amendment of the law was moved by the House majority leader, Honourable Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi and seconded by Honourable Olatunji Oshati, representing Ose Constituency. According to the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Honourable Ogunmolasuyi, considering the current economic reality,there is an urgent need for the bill to be amended.
Adding his voice,the lawmaker representing Akure South II Constituency, Honourable Steven Abitogun, explained that the bill would further improve the social economic status of the people of the state when passed into law.
The Speaker,Chief Olamide Oladiji equally stressed the importance of the bill, saying that there would be slow pace of implementation of government's policies and programmes if not passed.
"This bill is very crucial and important for the state because of the current economic indices and without it, implementation of minimum wage will not be realistic",he said.
The Speaker however ,ordered the bill to be committed to the finance and appropriation committee for scrutiny.
