Ondo Assembly Wraps Up 2026 Budget Defence
By Elizabeth Oyeniwa
The Ondo State House of Assembly has concluded the 2026 budget defence exercise, marking the end of a series of engagements with ministries, departments, agencies and institutions aimed at scrutinising their proposed allocations for the fiscal year.
The Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, noted that after the defence, the entire committee would sit and examine everything one after the other before arriving at the final figure and returning it to the chamber for passage.
He said, “You know that what we have here is still an estimated bill, and then you know that we are still in 2025, and we pray that every one of us will witness the year 2026. So everything they have here is still in anticipation. Again, whatever we are able to receive from the FAAC will also support what they are requesting, and of course, our internal revenue within the state as well.
“I think it is important for us to look inward, because of the huge demands of all MDAs, and we have to find a way to increase our revenue. So, with this budget we are working on, we believe that things will be fior the people of the state.
“We started this budget defence process on Tuesday. We have been working on it, we have addressed several MDAs in the state and some of them came up with different demands, while some came with one or two complaints. But we believe that 2026 is going to be a better year for every one of us.
“I also believe that with the support of the cabinet members, those MDAs will definitely do better. I think it is also important, as a state, that we look inward to ensure that for this budget to survive and perform very well, we need support from international partners, from the World Bank, and even from the Federal Government. We believe that if all these can be received, it will enhance the performance of this budget.
“I can’t give a specific date when the budget will be passed because we still have a lot to do on it. We still have many things to put into consideration. This is just the technical session; they have made a lot of observations, and all those observations have to be considered before we arrive at the final figure. By the time we arrive at the final figure, we can return to the hallowed chamber for the passage of the bill,” he concluded.
Also speaking, the Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Stephen Aworere, noted that the process had been an interesting one over the last four days and that the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation had been very professional, digging deep into the basics of the budget and making impactful changes.
“It is for the best. From my experience, what they have done,the little alterations here and there has added value to the budget document,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the budget would be passed and signed before the end of the year.
“Meaning that the budget document itself will be available for operationalisation on 1st January 2026. That means nothing will impede implementation. It will start on 1st January.”
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