OGHA ACKNOWLEDGES GOV. ABIODUN'S REQUEST REDUCING 2020 BUDGET BY 38%, TWO OTHERS

Following the effect of the covid 19 on the socio-economic spheres in the nation, the Ogun State House of Assembly today acknowledged Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun's correspondence requesting for the downward review of the 2020 Appropriation Bill from over N449.9bn to N280.9bn.

 The State lawmakers equally received additional two letters, one proposing a bill for a law to establish the Ogun State Safety Commission as well as a bill for a law to establish the Ogun State Energy Board and the last letter seeking extension of tenure for the Local Government Transition Committee  Chairmen for another  three months. 

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, who read the letters before the lawmakers at the Plenary held at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, stated that the revision of the State Budget from N449, 973, 690, 275.79 to N280, 907, 538, 376. 47 representing 38% reduction, which was in alignment with fiscal realities occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter partly reads, “I hereby present the 2020 revised appropriation bill and summary of the estimates of the revenue and expenditure of Ogun State for the kind consideration and approval of the Honourable House of Assembly as summarized below: Revenue now fixed at N280, 907, 538, 376. 47; Recurrent Expenditure comprising of Salaries & Allowances N 69, 087, 567, 259. 23, with Overhead Cost put at N47, 826, 711, 355. 11 and Consolidated revenue Fund Charges of N 15, 566, 772, 510.19 and Capital Expenses of N 148, 426, 487, 251. 94”.

Also, the correspondence proposing the two bills on indicated that both bills were exhaustively considered and approved for onward transmission to the Assembly at the 9th Executive Council meeting held on the 7th July, 2020.

On its part,  the request for  approval of the Assembly for the extension of tenure of the Transition Committee Chairmen for a period of three month effective from 19th July, 2020 was meant to avert the creation of a vacuum in Local Government Administration following the expiration of their tenure on 18th July, 2020.

Consequently, Speaker Oluomo directed all the Transition Chairmen to submit detailed reports of their various activities in the last three months to the Assembly on or before Thursday, 23rd July, 2020 for immediate consideration by the lawmakers.