In a concerning development, the Ogun State House of Assembly has raised alarms over the insufficient funding allocated to its legislative activities.
The Assembly is appealing for the swift release of the capital vote to execute various projects slated for the upcoming 2024 fiscal year.
Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, in its budget allocation last month, earmarked two percent of the N703 billion budget size, equivalent to N14.2 billion, for the legislature.
Additionally, only one percent of the budget proposal was allocated to the judiciary arm of government for the impending 2024 fiscal year.
Expressing dismay, the Clerk of the house, Mr. Adedeji Adeyemo, voiced concerns over the consistent underfunding of capital projects in previous years, including the outgoing fiscal year of 2023.
This shortfall results from the non-release of approved funds necessary for executing various capital projects within the State House of Assembly.
During the defence of the State House of Assembly’s 2024 budget before the Finance and Appropriation Committee, Adeyemo highlighted the shortage of office accommodations for top personnel and urged the executive arm of government to promptly release the funds as approved by the legislators.
He emphasised the imperative to expand facilities at the State House of Assembly complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, to accommodate additional offices for staff, especially top personnel.
As the head of personnel at the legislature, Adeyemo called for financial autonomy for the house, stating, “We will continue to face these challenges until the house enjoys its full financial autonomy as amended in Nigeria’s 1999 constitution.”
Echoing these concerns, the House Minority Leader, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, expressed worry over the shortage of staff and advocated for the recruitment of more personnel to alleviate the strain on the existing workforce within the legislative arm of government.
Adeleye also emphasised the need to provide local and international training programs for personnel to enhance the proper management of legislative activities.
Similarly, the Majority Leader, Hon. Yusuf Sheriff, highlighted the necessity of secretariat staff for lawmakers’ offices to facilitate effective functioning and enable them to carry out oversight assessments as legislators.
Meanwhile, the Finance and Appropriation Committee of the State House of Assembly, led by Hon. Lamidi Musefiu,has expressed gratitude to Governor Abiodun for enabling meaningful engagements with political heads and top officials of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies during the recently concluded 2024 budget defence exercise.
Musefiu assured the State Government of the committee’s commitment to the speedy passage of the N703 billion 2024 Appropriation Bill before the week concludes, ensuring the state adheres to the January to December budget cycle.
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