Budget Defence by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Ogun State before the State House of Assembly is meant to further promote transparency and financial prudency in the running of government towards achieving more democratic gains.

 

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraju Ishola Adekunbi, who said this while declaring open the 2019 Budget Defence by MDAs in the State at the Assembly Complex, Oke-mosan, Abeokuta, explained that the annual exercise, which was in line with Section 121 (II) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), had been an avenue to clarify issues and set the records straight, so as to ensure judicious utilisation of public funds.

 

Adekunbi, represented by his Deputy,  Olakunle Oluomo, explained  that the budget defence was not meant to ’’witch hunt’’ any public office holder but one of the core duties of the legislative arm to scrutinise the financial blueprint of various MDAs, so as to promote transparency and get value for money.

 

The Speaker tasked his colleague-lawmakers to be proactive and remained committed to the promotion of democratic tenets, stating that as representatives of the people, they had the onerous task of facilitating the implementation of people-oriented programmes and projects for socio-economic advancement of the State.

 

Commending the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun for his commitment to good governance, the Speaker pledged the support of the Assembly at reviewing all necessary inputs towards having all-inclusive budget process.

 

According to him, the budget defence process which would provide the opportunity for evaluation at the end of the budget year, always linked specific spending objectives with their associated costs.