The Ondo State House of Assembly on Friday passed the 2026 supplementary budget of N775.518 billion.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa presented the revised 2026 Appropriation Bill of N769.384 billion to the assembly on September 9, raising the state’s original budget of N524.411 billion.

The Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said the revised budget would give expression to the vision of the state government to drive rapid development across all sectors.

Mr Ogunmolasuyi added that the supplementary budget would provide the required funds to sustain ongoing projects and provide the impetus to respond to the state’s emerging developmental needs.

According to him, the revised budget aligns with best practices in fund utilisation and budget performance.

The chairman said the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) was not working in tandem with other government bodies to realise the existing 2026 approved revenue budget.

He asked the government to take all necessary steps to boost internally generated revenue and meet the current administration’s Ease Agenda.

The House Leader, Olatunji Oshati, therefore, moved a motion for the bill to be passed, and Abayomi Akinruntan seconded the motion.

The assembly speaker, Olamide Oladiji, commended the committee for putting in its best to ensure the quality delivery of the report on the supplementary budget.

Mr Oladiji said the budget would boost residents’ confidence in the state governor to carry out more infrastructure projects and improve the state’s well-being and wellness.

The House of Assembly also committed the bill to increase the retirement age and enhance the remuneration of magistrates and grade A customary court presidents to 65 years to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Petitions.

The bill to establish Rufus Giwa University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Owo, was referred to the Committees on Tertiary Institutions and Education, Science and Technology for proper scrutiny. 

(NAN)