By Mike Adebayo, Ado-Ekiti
As the defence of 2022 Budget Allocations to the various Ministries and Parastatals at the Ekiti State House of Assembly continues, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. (Mrs) Olubumni Adelugba representing Emure Constituency has harped on the need for government officials to take civil service as their private businesses that must not crumble.
While presiding over the Budget Defence at the House of Assembly Chamber in Ado Ekiti, the lawmaker decried the attitude of some civil servants who failed to show commitment to their jobs despite the efforts of the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi at encouraging them through regular payment of salaries and other emoluments.
She commended political heads of some Boards and Parastatals for living up to expectation in term of revenue generation drive to complement the state government’s funding.
The female lawmaker also took time to sensitize some government officials on how to change from being a non-revenue generating outfits to revenue generating ones within the ambit of the law.
Hon. Adelugba who had other lawmakers in the Finance and Appropriation Committee with her during the Budget Defence said the vision of the legislative arm of government is to ensure blockage of loopholes in government spendings and to put Ministries and Parastatals on their toes towards achieving government’s goals and objectives.
The Budget Defence brought heads of various Ministries, Boards and Parastatals or their representatives addressing the legislators on key areas of need and challenges while the legislators also noted salient issues bordering on annual budgets and revenues.
Earlier, at the one-day Public Hearing on the 2022 Appropriation Bill held last week as part of the process to expedite passage of the budget and ensure transparency in the 2022 Appropriation, several stakeholders were at the Assembly complex to air their views during legislative proceedings.
The Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation noted that the move was also aimed at enhancing budget tracking and monitoring.
She hinted that the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi had consistently turn in an all inclusive budget which had returned the state to the January to December Budget cycle for the benefits of all Ekiti people at home and abroad.
Hon. Adelugba empahsised that such gesture would engender proper planning and implementation ahead of time.
Among other stakeholders present were the Coalition of Ekiti Civil Society Organisations (COECSO) who expressed their appreciation for the inclusiveness of the Civil Society Groups.
She thanked the Speaker, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye for his leadership style and other lawmakers for their cooperation at making the public hearing a reality.