Economy

By Omolara Adasofunjo

The Ogun State House of Assembly, OGHA, has concluded the defence of the 2026 budget proposals submitted by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, across the state.

Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Musefiu Lamidi, announced the completion of the exercise at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, urging MDAs to place accountability, probity and value for public funds at the centre of their operations.

Mr Lamidi charged heads of agencies to embrace collective responsibility and work towards a realistic 2026 budget that genuinely reflects the aspirations of Ogun State residents. He explained that the House Committee adopted a constructive, non-adversarial approach to the budget review process, with a focus on strengthening service delivery, improving value for money and aligning expenditure with citizens’ needs.

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Expressing optimism, Mr Lamidi said the deliberations would enhance public financial management and ensure that the 2026 budget delivers measurable benefits to people across the state.

In a related development, the State Internal Revenue Service, led by its Executive Chairman, Mr Olugbenga Olaleye, reported a revenue performance of over ₦84 billion as of last October, representing more than 83 percent of the projected target for the outgoing year. He also disclosed a proposed revenue target of ₦250 billion for the next fiscal year.

Mr Olaleye stressed the need for strict implementation of newly issued federal tax laws to capture all taxable incomes, expand the tax base and block revenue leakages within the state.

Other agencies whose budget proposals came under legislative review included the Ogun State Ministry of Budget and Planning, the Ministry of Finance, and the Office of the Accountant General.

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Economy

Ogun State House of Assembly through its Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-corruption has cautioned financial officials to always adhere strictly to financial regulations and other extant rules in procurement process or other financial transactions.

Chairman of the Committee, Mr Musefiu Lamidi, gave the caution at the Assembly Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta,while considering the audit reports of Ewekoro, Ifo and Ikenne Local Government Councils for 2014-2019 financial year.

Mr Lamidi tasked the councils’ officials to step up measures towards ensuring accuracy and efficiency in all financial records and transactions in the Local government councils.

The Chairman with some members of the Committe including, Mr Abdul Bashir Oladunjoye, Mr Ademuyiwa Adeyemi and Mr Yusuf Amosun, stated that towards promoting accountability and transparency with value for Government fund, the Committee would not hesitate to hand over any officer who have gone against extant rules to the relevant authorities for prosecution.

They also admonished the officials that appeared before the Committee to avoid further infractions in their daily official activities to prevent further sanctions.

Oluwatoyin Adegoke

Politics

Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, OGHA, Mr Olakunle Oluomo has clarified that members of the 9th Legislature in the state have not received any funds from the executive arm for the execution of intervention projects in the 26 State Constituencies.

Mr Oluomo stated this while responding to the submission of Mr Musefiu Lamidi during plenary in Abeokuta. 

The speaker expressed concern on misinformation in some quarters that members of the Assembly had received constituency project allowance and failed to do the needful in their various constituencies. 

He explained that most projects embarked upon by the lawmakers in their various constituencies was from personal pocket or partnership with well-meaning individuals and foundations.

Mr Lamidi had during personal explanation noted that he was accused by his constituents of collecting constituency projects allowance from the government and refused to use the money accordingly. 

Also during plenary, the speaker read Governor Dapo Abiodun’s letter calling for the extension of office for members of local government transition committees in the 20 council areas of the state for another three months. 

The speaker, however, appealed to the governor to put machinery in place and conduct elections into the 20 local government areas after the expiration of the new three months.

Oluwatoyin Adegoke