The Oyo State House of Assembly has commenced the 2027 budget defence exercise for the 33 Local Government Areas in the state.
Key facts
- Exercise covers all 33 Local Government Areas in Oyo State
- First day featured Ogo-Oluwa, Afijio and Ibadan South-East
- Legal basis: Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution and Section 19(2) of the Local Government Law of Oyo State, 2001 (as amended)
- Stated aim: transparency, accountability and grassroots development
Why the Oyo 2027 Budget Defence Is Not a Witch-Hunt
In his opening remarks, the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours, Hon. Akintunde Olajide, urged Council Chairmen and their management teams to regard the exercise as a statutory obligation rather than a witch-hunt. He stressed that its primary objective is to ensure that the dividends of democracy reach the grassroots as expected.
He described the exercise as another milestone in the commitment of the 10th Oyo State House of Assembly to fulfilling its constitutional and statutory responsibilities. The 2027 budget estimates of the Local Governments, he said, would be subjected to legislative scrutiny and subsequent reporting to the House.
Legal Basis for the Oyo 2027 Budget Defence
Hon. Olajide stated that the exercise was in line with the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 19(2) of the Local Government Law of Oyo State, 2001 (as amended).
The law empowers the House of Assembly to approve funds for the construction and maintenance of roads, street lighting, drains, public highways, parks, gardens, open spaces and other facilities to be undertaken by Local Governments.
Hon. Olajide, however, enjoined Council Chairmen and their management teams to ensure that budget items and allocations were clearly spelt out. This, he said, would facilitate effective legislative scrutiny and promote meaningful development at the grassroots.
Lawmakers Stress Accountability in the Oyo 2027 Budget Defence
In his goodwill message, the Leader of the House, Hon. Sanjo Onaolapo, representing Ogbomoso South State Constituency, explained that the exercise was aimed at instilling fiscal responsibility. He said it would ensure that the activities of Local Governments across the state were guided by relevant laws, while promoting transparency and accountability in the budgetary process.
In her closing remarks, the Clerk of the House, Barr. Mrs. Taiwo Muraina-Akinola, ably represented by the Deputy Clerk, Legislative Matters, Research and Budget, Mrs. Aderonke Ogundeji, noted that the exercise provides an opportunity for proper examination and scrutiny of the Local Government budget estimates before the commencement of another fiscal year.
The commencement of the exercise featured three Local Government Areas, namely Ogo-Oluwa, Afijio and Ibadan South-East, whose delegations were led by their respective Council Chairmen.
