By Adeyinka Adeniran
Following the presentation of the 2023 budget proposal of N434, 221, 765, 938.79 by the Governor Seyi Makinde to the state legislature, the lawmakers on Wednesday said it has commenced the budget defence exercise for the various ministries, departments and agencies of the government.
Speaking during the exercise, the Standing Committee Chairman on Finance, Appropriation and State Economy Planning, Hon. Sunkanmi Babalola reiterated that the State House of Assembly is determined to work with the Executive arm of government, through Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as other stakeholders in the state for the successful implementation of the proposed 2024 budget as presented by Governor Makinde.
Hon. Babalola said the Committee, through a collective efforts of all members to ensure that the next fiscal year is better than the outgoing year by painstakingly scrutinizing over thirty ministries, departments and agencies since the commencement of the exercise.
He said further that the House is not only ensuring holistic approach in the on – going budget defence exercise but critically working to realize the economic recovery as tagged on the Budget by the Governor.
The Chairman assured that the House, through various committees will maintain, necessary checks and adequate monitoring on all the MDAs for outstanding performances inorder to achieve the desired goals of the present administration in the state.
Hon. Babalola however commended the State Governor for his vision and pragmatic leadership towards initiating an achievable and realistic Budgeting system in the Pace Setter State.
In his remarks, the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Appropriation and State Economy Planning, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola representing Atiba State Constituency, urged the MDAs to work with the House of Assembly, through their relevant Committees in order to have easy access to the funds allocated to each of them.
Honourable Oyekola noted that most MDAs believe that when the Committees are on oversight functions, it means that they’ve come to request from them.
“You can’t separate Committees from the MDAs, most of the MDAs believe that when the Committees are on their neck during the oversight, they are looking for money, forgetting that relevant committees of the House can help them out in their day to day activities.
“The Committees can raise a lot of motions on their behalf and the Resolutions will be passed to the Executive, which will make the Executive to gear up to the task”, he added.
Contrary to the insinuation in a section of the media about the 2024 Budget Proposal, the lawmaker declared that the budget is achievable and realistic with good performances.
He however called on the MDAs to reciprocate the good gesture of the present administration in the state by being alive to their responsibilities.
