The Ekiti State House of Assembly has commenced debate on the State 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of over N134 billion, made up of N96 billion for recurrent expenditure and N38 billion for capital expenditure.
The debate followed the reading of a letter from the Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, seeking the authority of the House to increase the size of the current budget.
Leading the debate on the Bill at plenary on Tuesday, the Majority Leader, Hon. Tolulope Ige said the bill was in response to the current economic realities, occasioned by the removal of Petroleum Subsidy and the attendant effect on the citizens.
Members in their various contributions, considered the supplementary budget as timely and the upward review a demand of time, considering the critical condition of the nation and state economy therefore calling for early passage of the Bill.
They urged the relevant committee(s) that may be saddled with the assignment to look critically into it and come with the report that will address the present economic challenges.
The Speaker in his submission, charged his colleagues and all House Committees to ensure that what is embedded in the Bill is sustainable and serves the interest of the citizens.
He also stated that members must ensure Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government explained the justification for funds budgeted to their ministries.
The Speaker subsequently committed the Bill to the Finance and Appropriation Committee for further legislative scrutiny, while all other House Committees are to serve as sub Committees.
The House also at the plenary passed a bill for a law to repeal Ekiti State Lottery Law 2012 and re-enacted a law to make provisions for Ekiti State Lottery, Gaming, Billing, Casino and other matters connected therewith.
The Speaker at the Committee of the Whole took the report one after the other on the amendment section-by-section with members agreeing that the amendment formed part of what was done.
The amendment was in respect of Sections 1-59 with Section 58 touching on the repeal of the law passed in 2012 and Section 59 touching on the citation for the new law after which the Speaker called on the Clerk of the House, Mr. Tola Esan, to do the Third Reading.
After the Clerk performed the Third Reading, the Speaker announced that the Bill has now become Law.
The House also passed the Ekiti State Sports Commission Bill into law after the Chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports, Hon. Idowu Odebunmi, has presented the report of the Committee.