By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
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Ondo State House of Assembly has called for the implementation of financial autonomy for the legislative arm to enhance its activities.
The House Committee on Finance and Appropriation made the call during a visit to the State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget in Akure.
The Committee led by its Chairman who is the Majority Leader of the House, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi noted that though the situation of the country is known to all said the autonomy should start somewhere and then build upon to ensure efficiency.
While saying that one of the core mandates of the House is the annual budget where the support of the Ministry is very germane, the Chairman of the Committee called for seemless relationship in the 10th Assembly.
Ogunmolasuyi who affirmed that the 9th Assembly passes four budgets successfully and followed it up to ensure money allocated are judiciously utilized, commended the Commissioner and his team for demonstrating excellence.
He said the Ministry has a major role to play in ensuring citizens enjoy dividends of democracy through robust budget, supervision and evaluation hence the need to continue to perform optimally.
The Committee also said that the Ministry should carry them along in community engagement towards budget preparation as representatives of the people for all round development.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for economic planning and budget, Mr Emmanuel Igbasan who explained the mode of operation of the ministry, said that it is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating all MDA’s to ensure they align with government economic policy.
Igbasan who told the Committee that the Ministry will tomorrow, Thursday begin community engagement in preparation for the year 2024 budget, added that the exercise is to x-ray the implementation of last fiscal budget and also ensure their input in the next budget.
He affirmed that in the last six years, budget is being prepared according to what is obtainable globally, emphasised that the Ministry has been constantly engaging the citizens in budget planning to ensure it meet their needs.
Igbasan solicited for the support of the Assembly in strengthening some of the policy of the Ministry to ensure strict adherence to accountability and transparency.
While saying that the most vital linkage is rendered by the Committee and the Ministry through all inclusive fiscal budget, he assured that his team is committed to the mandate for the benefits of the citizens.
