The Kwara State House of Assembly has commenced debate on the general principles of the 2019 budget.
Leading the debate, the House Leader, Hon. Hassan Oyeleke praised the content of the budget presented to the House by the Governor, Alhaji Abdul Fatah Ahmed last Thursday, in Ilorin.
Other members who also spoke on the budget were members representing Ilorin Central, Ilesha/Gwanara, Ekiti, Omupo, Okuta/Yashikira, Patigi, Ilorin East, Oke-Ogun, Afon Isin, Oke Ero and Irepodun constituencies Hons Umar Gunu, Hajia Segilola Abdulkadir, Ebun Owolabi, Mashood Bakare, Adamu Usman, Shuaib Abdulkadir, Hajia Bodunrin Ibrahim, Barrister Kamal Fagbemi, Mobolaji Amosa, Emmanuel Abodunrin, Victoria Bunmi Afolayan and Mathew Olaitan Babaoye.
However, In his Contribution, the chairman House Committee on Education and Human Capital Development, Hon. Jimoh Akanni Abdul-Rahman expressed dissatisfaction over the content of the budget estimate on the education sector, especially over non allocation of funds to the state owned College of Midwifery in Ilorin and Oke-Ode, pointing out that allocation of N9bn to the education sector was below the 26 percent minimum standard set by UNESCO for the sector.
Hon Abdul Rahman who represents Share/Oke-Ode Constituency, also frowned at hijack of functions of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by officers in Government House who lack requisite cabinet responsibilities.
Responding, the Speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad, constituted a joint committee of Finance and Appropriation, Education and Human Capital Development as well as Land and Housing, to immediately invite the State Head of Service, Mrs Modupe Oluwole, Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Isiaka Gold and the Commissioner for Economic Planning Alhaji Abdul Waheed Adewale, to address occupation of the State College of Midwifery Ilorin by officers of Bureau of Land, non- accreditation of courses in the two state owned College of Midwifery and zero allocation to the two Colleges in the 2019 budget.
He directed the Committee to report its findings to the whole House on Wednesday, to enable the legislature take a stand and also to meet up with the timeline set out for the passage of the budget.
Further debates on the budget continues on Wednesday.
