By Tolulope Eniola
The Ondo State House of Assembly on Thursday held a public hearing on the 2026 Amended appropriation bill, with the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon.Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, assuring stakeholders that their inputs would be given due consideration in the review process.
Ogunmolasuyi, who made this known in his opening remarks at the public hearing, explained that the original 2026 budget was formulated based on the circumstances and projections available when it was passed in 2025.
He said developments in the state within the year, particularly the level of infrastructure and other ongoing projects, had made it necessary to review the budget to reflect current realities and ensure effective implementation.
The Chairman stressed that the 26 members of the House represented the interests of the people across the 18 local government areas, assuring stakeholders that the Assembly would scrutinise the amended budget to ensure that it addressed the needs of the state.
He noted that education and other sectors required appropriate adjustments, citing the ongoing transition of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic to a university as one of the developments that would require corresponding budgetary provisions.
Ogunmolasuyi appealed to civil servants, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to be realistic in their submissions, stressing that budgetary provisions must be achievable to ensure improved budget performance.
He said the Assembly was committed to supporting a budget that would promote development and improve the welfare of the people, adding that the amended appropriation was not “cast in iron” and could be adjusted where necessary to meet the needs of the state.
The committee members present included the Vice-Chairman, Kolawole Ologede; House Leader, Chief Olatunji Oshati; Prophetess Atinuke Witherspoon; Tope Agbulu; Olajide Oguntodu; Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju, Sulaiman Murtala and Fatai Atere.
Concerned commissioners and heads of MDAs also appeared before the committee to defend their proposals.
The Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Ayorinde Abiola Olawoye, highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects , including AKure flyover,Afo-Idoani road,Oke-aro road,Ajagba road among several others and expressed optimism that the amended budget would provide additional impetus for their completion.
The Commissioners for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun; Health, Dr Banji Ajaka; and Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Olaolu Akindilie, also spoke in support of the amendment, noting that the revised appropriation would strengthen the implementation of programmes and projects in respective sectors.
In his vote of thanks, the Clerk of the House, Mr Jaiyeola Benjamin, commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his commitment to infrastructure development, saying the scale of ongoing projects had made the review of the budget necessary to address funding gaps and prioritise key projects.
Benjamin also appreciated members of the committee, commissioners, permanent secretaries, directors and other public servants for their participation, describing them as the engine room of government. He prayed for a successful consideration of the amended appropriation and continued development of Ondo State.
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