By Elizabeth Oyeniwa
The Ondo State House of Assembly has committed the N60.99 billion 2026 budget estimates of the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) to relevant committees for detailed scrutiny after scaling second reading.
The bill, titled _“A Bill for a Law to Authorise the Issuance from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Ondo State the sum of N60,993,578,638.00,”_ provides N7.51 billion for recurrent expenditure and N53.47 billion for capital expenditure for the services of OSOPADEC for the year ending December 31, 2026.
The estimates were committed to the House Committees on OSOPADEC and Finance and Appropriation, with a directive to report back on or before September 28, 2026.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, on Thursday.
Moving the motion for second reading, the House Leader and member representing Ose Constituency, Hon Chief Olatunji Oshati, said the budget would accelerate development in the oil-producing areas. The motion was seconded by Hon. Chris Ayebusiwa member representing Okitipupa constituency I and Hon. Kolawole Ologede member representing Akure North.
Chairman of OSOPADEC and member representing Ese-Odo Constituency, Hon. Primate Oluwatoyin Allen, said the budget would significantly improve living standards in the mandate areas through interventions in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and other critical sectors.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, members representing Owo constituency I, said the high allocation to capital expenditure showed a clear focus on impactful projects. He urged proper scrutiny and prudent management of funds to achieve the budget’s objectives.
Other lawmakers noted provisions for road infrastructure, health facilities, education, recruitment of personnel, agricultural support, security posts and assistance for vulnerable groups. They stressed that effective implementation and accountability are key for the mandate areas to derive maximum benefit.
In his remarks, Speaker Oladiji said the proposal addresses key developmental needs of oil-producing communities, noting that the committee stage would allow thorough scrutiny. He assured that the House would give the bill the required legislative attention.
He added that the substantial capital vote creates room for infrastructure development, while provisions for health, education, agriculture and security would improve welfare and economic prospects of coastal residents.
Meanwhile, the Clerk of the National Assembly has transmitted to the Ondo Assembly a Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police.
In a letter dated September 6, 2026, the Clerk said the bill was passed by the Senate on June 24, 2026, and by the House of Representatives on July 23, 2026. The bill seeks to provide legal framework for State Police Services while retaining the Nigeria Police Force as the Federal Police Service, in line with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The Clerk said the transmission was on the directive of the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, urging the state legislature to give it expeditious consideration and forward its resolution to the National Assembly to facilitate completion of the alteration process.
Copies of the bill as passed by both chambers were attached to the letter.
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