By: Precious Oluwole

Today marks the second day of budget defense proposal, different Ministries, Departments and Agencies trooped in to defend their budget proposal confidently at the Assembly complex.

The Chairman, House committee on finance and appropriation, Hon. Akintomide Akinrogunde while describing the budget defense as a progressive course stated that all hands would be on desk by next year, looking at the responses of the MDAs.

He added that The MDAs had prepared themselves for the assignment and basically, the bottom of approach of developing the budget proposal was a good methodology on the part of the government.

Hon. Wale Akinlosotu, the commissioner for culture and toursim who spoke during the session noted that his ministry is a very vibrant ministry, stressing that tourism should not be overlooked.

He stated that a lot of countries are making money in tourism and we should take advantage of that.

“With this budget, it’s going to afford us the opportunity to make sure they we develop our tourist centers, for example, the beach at Araromi, Oke Idanre, Igbo Olodumare, all these areas are areas we can develop that will bring people into the state and when people come into the state, it increases the economic value of the State, people will spend money and when they do, hotels, eateries and other places will be able to pay their taxes, this is the benefit of our ministry to the state”.

The special assistant to Governor Oluwarotimi Akereduolu on agric-business, Akin Olotu, explained that the budget if not affected by the allocation from the Federal Government will improve agriculture activities as well as the socio economic well-being of the people at the grassroot considering its policies and programmes.

Also, Commissioner for commerce and industry, Lola Fagbemi, assured that the budget will address unemployment and increase the internally generated revenue of Ondo state.

The Commissioner for Energy, Rasaq Obe said that his ministry would continue to develop and manage energy resources in a sustainable manner for the benefit of the people and Ondo State will soon be a hub for energy.

Other MDAs expressed their readiness to work hard in line with Government’s policies and programmes for effective service delivery.