The Ogun State year 2024 appropriation bill today scaled through second reading, as members lauded the ingenuity of the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun’s decision to allocate appropriate percentage to thematic areas of the key sectors to accelerate the socio-economic development of the State.

Opening debate on the second reading of the bill presented to the lawmakers last week with the title: “Budget of Sustained Growth and Development”, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Musefiu Lamidi, said that the percentage alloted to each sector indicated government’s resolve to sustain the growth and development of the State.

Corroborating the sponsor, all the other lawmakers spoke in unison on the need to ensure the timely passage of the bill, which they noted was achievable, pointing out that the 16% allotted to education was in line with the UNESCO recommendations.

They requested that the 30% allocation to infrastructure should be evenly spread across the three Senatorial Districts of the State with emphasis on the development of rural areas.

The State lawmakers equally sought increase on the percentage given to agriculture to empower farmers to boost food security and create job opportunities.

They explained that the Governor deserved commendation for his resolve to bring innovation in governance through the fiscal proposal meant to advance industrial revolution, create opportunities through digital economy, infrastructural drive, establishment of Ministry of Solid Minerals and plans to accelerate oil exploration at Togeji Island in Ogun West and Olokola LNG projects in Ogun East Senatorial Districts amongst others.

Responding, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Olakunle Oluomo, lauded his colleague-lawmakers for their robust debate, urging them to do justice to the bill during the budget defence process.

He thereafter committed the bill to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further legislative actions.

In the same vein, the Ogun State Magistrates’ Court (Amendment) Law, 2023 also passed through the second reading stage on the floor of the Assembly.

Opening debate on the second reading of the bill, titled: H. B. No. 009/OG/2023- The Ogun State Magistrates’ Court Amendment law, 2023, the Sponsor, Hon. Oluseun Adesanya, said the amendment of the law would increase the financial jurisdictions of the magistrates courts to take more cases, thereby reducing the burden of cases taken to the high courts.

Other lawmakers who spoke during the second reading of the bill corroborated the sponsor, saying that the amendment would promote more activities at the magistrates courts and aid access to justice dispensation.

Responding the Speaker joined his colleague-lawmakers to affirm that the amendment of the bill would assist in quickening justice dispensation, and thereafter committed the bill to the House Committee on Justice, Ethics and Public Petitions for further legislative actions.