By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

The Ondo State House of Assembly has successfully concluded the 2025 budget defence for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including higher institutions in the state.

The three-day exercise, held at the Assembly’s mini chamber, saw heads of various MDAs present and defend their proposals for the upcoming year according to their schedules.

The defence began on Wednesday, with executives and accounting officers from the different MDAs assuring the people of Ondo State that there would be no cause for concern in the coming year. They affirmed that the 2025 budget proposal, when passed into law, would effectively address the current economic challenges.

In an interview with The Hope after the closing of the budget defence, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, expressed appreciation to all MDAs and stakeholders for their cooperation during the exercise, describing it as both engaging and fruitful.

He noted that the committee had taken a detailed look at the budget proposal, thoroughly scrutinising it while MDAs shared their concerns. Ogunmolasuyi explained that the MDAs not only defended their expenditure plans before the committee but also presented the challenges they face in achieving their goals.

The Majority Leader of the House also expressed confidence that the 2025 proposed budget, once carefully examined and passed into law, would address various issues, particularly the impact of fuel subsidy removal, and ultimately improve the living standards of the state’s residents.

“The committee will review the defence and finalise the process in line with the new template. After conducting internal reviews for no less than a week, the budget will be passed,” he assured.

Earlier, in an interview, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Emmanuel Igbasan, explained that the budget proposal had been carefully crafted to meet the needs of the people. He stressed that the working document was designed to enhance all sectors of the economy in the coming year.

Represented by the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Stephen Aworere, Igbasan noted that the budget defence had been a success, commending members of the House Committee on Appropriation for their thorough knowledge in scrutinising the proposal.

“The committee did not entertain frivolous requests from MDAs. They maintained their stance even when disagreements arose,” he said.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Akogun Olugbenga Omole, revealed that the Ministry plans to introduce more policies and laws on transportation in the state to ensure better guidance for the public.

“Currently, Akure and Ado Ekiti are the only states in the South that are not connected by rail. The Governor has been addressing this, and soon, we will begin the physical mapping for the rail track route,” he announced.

Other MDAs also pledged to work diligently towards achieving the goals outlined in the proposed budget.