The Ogun 2024 appropriation bill of N703.03billion has scaled second reading at the Ogun House of Assembly.
The lawmakers who spoke while deliberating on the bill during plenary in Abeokuta on Thursday lauded the ingenuity of Gov. Dapo Abiodun’s decision to allocate appropriate percentage to thematic areas of the key sectors.
Opening debate on the bill, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Musefiu Lamidi, said that the percentage alloted to each sector indicated government’s resolve to sustain the growth and development of the State.
Corroborating the sponsor, all the other lawmakers spoke in unison on the need to ensure the timely passage of the bill.
They noted that the 16 per cent allotted to education was in line with the UNESCO recommendations.
They requested that the 30 per cent allocation to infrastructure should be evenly spread across the three Senatorial Districts of the State with emphasis on the development of rural areas.
The state lawmakers equally sought increase on the percentage given to agriculture to empower farmers to boost food security and create job opportunities.
The legislators explained that the governor deserved commendation for his resolve to bring innovation in governance through the fiscal proposal meant to advance industrial revolution and create opportunities through digital economy.
Responding, the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, lauded his colleague-lawmakers for their robust debate, urging them to do justice to the bill during the budget defence process.
He ,thereafter, committed the bill to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further legislative actions.