The Ondo State House of Assembly, on Thursday, received N33. 86 billion budget proposal for the Ondo State Oil Producing Development Area Commission (OSOPADEC) for 2025 fiscal year.

The financial bill, which was read by the assembly’s clerk, Benjamin Jaiyeola, earmarked the sum of N4,474,650,00 for recurrent expenditure, while a sum of N29,112,500 is for capital expenditure.

OSOPADEC has a mandate of making intervention provisions for the oil producing communities in the state.

The House later committed the bill to the House ad hoc committee on OSOPADEC for scrutiny after the first and second reading, with a mandate to report back to the house in two weeks.

Speaking on the bill, Oluwatoyin Allen (Ese-Odo Constituency/APC), said that the budget estimate when passed would improve the living standard of the people of the oil producing communities.

Mr Allen added that the bill after passing would boost the economy of the state, urging the committee to consider infrastructural facilities like schools and health centres.

Similarly, Fayemi Obayelu (Ilaje 2/APC), stated that the bill should be critically evaluated as the most vulnerable were the women.

Ms Obayelu added that the intervention by OSOPADEC would go a long way in assisting the people of the oil producing communities.

Other lawmakers asked for accountability and prudence for the mandate areas to get the best when the bill is passed.

In his speech, the Speaker of the House, Olamide Oladiji, said that it was crucial that the lawmakers prioritise the needs of their constituents.

Mr Oladiji also enjoined the lawmakers to remain steadfast in their commitment to promoting good governance and to ensure social justice in fostering economic growth.

He announced ad hoc committees on OSOPADEC to be headed by Oluwatoyin Allen and ad hoc committee on health to be headed by Chris Ogunlana.

He said the committees would be saddled with the responsibility of ministries and the MDA’s pending when the statutory standing committees would be reconstituted

Mr Oladiji encouraged members of the committees to work tirelessly towards building a better future for the people guided by the principles of justice, equality and progress.

Similarly, a bill for a law to amend the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo, Ondo State Law, 2019 scaled the first reading.

(NAN)