The Chief of Staff to the Governor of Ekiti State, Hon. Biodun Omoleye has commended the State House of Assembly for its efficicient handling of budgeting issues; saying that the House has improved tremendously in budget tracking, management and evaluation.
The Chief of Staff gave the commendation shortly after defending the 2021 Budget estimate of Government House and Protocol department at the State House of Assembly.
Omoleye who specifically hailed the Committee on Governor’s Office, Government House and Constituency Outreach of the Assembly expressed delight at the way the Committee handled the process of the budget defence.
“What I saw today gladdens my heart and lifted my spirit. The Ekiti State House of Assembly has developed tremendously. Ordinarily, one would not expect that an officer coming to defend the budget of Government House would face such a hurdle. This shows that this honorable House is committed to justice, fairness and due process”.
“I am particularly impressed that the House showed understanding on the existing commitment of government and challenges of funding. I believe if the budget of the office of the Governor can be so scrutinized, I don’t know which office would escape their search light. This is a signal that the Assembly members know what they are doing”, he said
While affirming that the Assembly is not rubber stamp despite being dominated by lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Omoleye said the Assembly followed up their expectation tracking of the 2020 budget through their oversight functions hence their ability to ask questions on all budgetary proposals for the incoming year.
Omoleye said the Assembly’s stance has shown that it is committed to more accountability on how tax payers’ money is being spent in the State.
Present at the event were the Permanent Secretary in Government House and Protocol, Mr Babatunde Alokan and all Directors of Government House and Protocol department.