Prepare for budget defence, Adeleke tells cabinet members

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has tasked members of his cabinet to prepare for a detailed budget defence at the state House of Assembly.

The governor also advised his aides to ensure that drafted executive bills were forwarded to the legislature timely.

He said this in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday in Osogbo, the state capital.

According to him, full cooperation was paramount with the legislature to speed up budget processing in line with the assembly’s timetable.

”We have a state to govern. We have a five-point agenda to deliver. There is no room for distractions. All cabinet members must get their work together by ensuring successful budget hearings at the assembly.

”Also, let the relevant House committees have all the required information to vet and approve your proposals.

“I have full confidence that the legislature will understand the fiscal and economic considerations behind the 2024 budgetary proposals.”
According to him, his administration is aware of innovative ideas being introduced that may necessitate new laws or amendments to existing ones.

”Let me direct our MDAs with planned executive bills to speed up the internal processes.

“Three of such bills are very dear to the goodness of our state. The bill to domesticate the Nigerian Startup Act should be forwarded to the assembly without further delay. That bill holds the key to boosting and diversifying our state economy,” he stated.

He said that the Osun electricity market bill was important to the state with a resolution reached to move faster to get the bill passed into law without delay.

”Also, of similar importance is the bill to harmonise the state tax system. Our government wants to put an end to multiple taxation and expand the tax base with a lower tax rate,” he added.

Adeleke, however, directed the Justice Ministry and all affected Ministries, Departments and Agencies to work closely to ensure bills get to the State Assembly for early passage.