The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide has called for financial autonomy of the State Legislature so that its members could efficiently discharge their constitutional duties.
Speaking during the Presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the Assembly by Governor Dapo Abiodun yesterday, Elemide also requested for more initiatives that would ease the working conditions of lawmakers and the workforce.
The Speaker commended the Governor for improved welfare for staff but insisted on more initiatives to better the conditions of lawmakers and the workers.
Elemide revealed that the Assembly had in the last 18 months, considered 14 bills out of which nine had been passed.
He noted that 32 motions were passed into Resolutions, which covered a wide range of issues, while conducting oversight functions on all Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).
The Speaker also pointed out that over 40 issues were resolved amicably under the quasi-judicial function of the Assembly.
He sought for a Special Court to enforce the Anti-Land Grabbing Law as land related disputes had accounted for over 80% of all petitions received by the House.
The Speaker who appreciated the governor for the renovation of the State Assembly Complex and other infrastructural projects that had contributed to the overall well-being and working conditions of the lawmakers and staffers, explained that the presentation of the yearly Appropriation Bill remained a constitutional requirement towards ensuring judicious allocation and utilization of public funds in the coming year.
Elemide lauded Governor Abiodun’s ongoing legacy projects, including the Agro Cargo International Airport, the Remo Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone, the resuscitated Kajola Free Export Processing Zone, the Inland Dry Port at the Dry Port City Sodipo Village, Papalanto and the road infrastructure.
Elemide noted that the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill was another clarion call on all and sundry, to rise to the upliftment of the socio-economic development of the State.
He assured that the Lawmakers would ensure the timely passage of the Appropriation Bill for the coming year, as well as monitor its implementation through oversight functions to ensure its benefits to the people.
Elemide gave the assurance that the Assembly would always strive to cooperate with other arms of government in the onerous task of ensuring peace, security and welfare of the people, which he described as a joint task in governance.
Giving an explanation of the Budget, Abiodun revealed that the 2025 Budget proposals would address the challenges facing the State and outline sustainable strategies to overcome them.
He explained that the expenditure policy for 2025 aligned with the State Economic Development Plan and Strategy (2021–2025) as it targets fiscal sustainability, human development, food security, a favourable business environment, energy sufficiency, enhanced transport infrastructure, and industrialization with a focus on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
According to the Governor, “as the Sixth Budget of this administration, the 2025 Appropriation Bill, titled: “Budget of Hope and Prosperity”, reflects current challenges, essential reforms, and the need for inclusive, diversified, and sustainable growth. It aims to stimulate economic growth, reduce inequality, and improve citizens’ well-being. The budget prioritizes infrastructure, healthcare, housing, security, education, youth empowerment, job creation, and agriculture, with policies designed to drive recovery and transformation during economic turbulence.
“This budget strives to balance fiscal responsibility with improved public service delivery; ensuring resources are used effectively to maximize prosperity for all, by tackling immediate issues like unemployment and poverty, while investing in long-term growth. It serves as a roadmap for economic and social progress. Its vision is to inspire hope, foster unity, and strengthen public trust in the government’s ability to manage resources responsibly and guide the State toward a more equitable and sustainable future”, Governor Abiodun remarked.
Giving an appraisal of last year Budget performance, he revealed that the State had achieved 79percent of its pro-rated revenue target and 56 percent of the pro-rated expenditure target, adding that the performance over the past few years underscored the State’s fiscal reliability, with an optimism of giving the State a stronger financial base.
He highlighted the sectoral allocation thus: Education sector get N177.835Bn representing 17 percent, while N134.538Bn amounting to 13 percent was allocated to health sector. N66.382Bn being 60 percent was proposed for Housing & Community Development, just as Agriculture/Industry would gulp N65.38Bn representing 6 percent, with infrastructure taking N284.4Bn being 27 percent, leaving N25.27Bn being 2 percent for recreation, culture and religion.0
Other sectors including Social Protection secured N39.836Bn resulting to 4 percent, with General Public Service-Executive Organ allocated 4 percent being N46.863Bn, just as General Public Service-Financial & Fiscal Affairs were allotted 4 percent resulting into N42.284Bn, while 0.3 percent being N2.91Bn was to cater for General Public Service-General Personnel Service, with Public Order & Safety to get 3 percent being N26.44Bn. Also, Economic Affairs was allocated N5.97Bn being 0.6 percent, just as Judiciary was given 1 percent resulting into N10.54Bn, with the Legislature to take 2 percent being N21.18Bn, with the remaining N104.6Bn being 10 percent allocated to Statewide.
Dignitaries present at the budget presentation included the State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, former deputy Governors, Senator Shefiu Kaka and Yetunde Onanuga, State Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, former Heads of Service, Members of the State Executive Council, members of body of Permanent Secretaries, Paramount Rulers of Yewaland, Egbaland and Remoland and party stalwarts amongst others.
