…as lawmakers fault allocation on education, health, agriculture
By Mumini AbdulKareem
The 2019 Budget Estimate yesterday passed through Second Reading at the floor of the House following the conclusion of debate on the general principles of the budget by members.
The Speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad, while calling on the Clerk of the House, Hajia Halimat Jummai Kperogi, to read the Appropriation Bill for the second time, praised members for their commitments.
He directed that appearance of Ministries Department Agencies (MDAs) for budget defence be completed early, to ensure presentation of the report by Tuesday.
In his presentation, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Mathew Okedare praised the House for the resolve to pass budget before the end of the outgoing year and enjoined members to give priority to the education sector, to further enhance the wellbeing of the future generation of the state.
Other members who spoke on the budget, were Hon Aliyu Ishiaku Adams (Edu), Ahmed Mohammed(Kaiama/Kemanji/
The chairman House Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources, Hon. Ishiaku Adams, disclosed that allocation of N279m to agricultural sector was far below Maputo Declaration that 10% of the total budget be allocated to the sector and urged the House to address it.
Also the chairman, House Committee on Health and Environment Hon. Ibn Mohammed insisted that of the 13 rural roads to be constructed next year, 10 number of the roads will be constructed in Kwara South, 2 roads in Central and one in the North Senatorial District be addressed to enhance movement of agricultural products to urban centre.
Meanwhile, earlier on Tuesday, chairman House Committee on Education, Hon Jimoh Akanni-AbdulRahman, faulted the 18 per cent allocated to the Education sector in the 2019 budget of the state.
AbdurRahman in his submission at the commencement of a debate on the budget during plenary said the 18 per cent allocated to the Education sector was similar to percentages allocated in 2018 which failed to solve several challenges in the sector.
He said the percentage figure fall short of the 26% recommended by UNESCO
He wondered why the state School of Midwifery, Ilorin and School of Nursing, Okeode were having zero allocation, adding that the 18% was responsible for non accreditation of several courses in the state owned Tertiary institutions
The speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad condemned the figure allocated to the Education sector which he noted failed to cater for needs in the sector.
Ahmad directed the House Committee on Education, Appropriation and Housing to invite the state Head of Service and the state Commissioner for Planning over the non allocation of funds to the two schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Ilorin and Oke-ode
He said the issue of not allocating funds to the two schools called for an urgent solution, especially now that the Federal University in the state had started courses in the field.
The speaker equally directed the committees to look into the issue of occupying some sections of the school of Midwifery, Ilorin for office accommodation.
The Speaker noted that if the executive had lost confidence in some commissioners, they should be removed forthwith adding that the state lawmakers would not tolerate persons not known by the law to dip hands into the coffers of the government for any reason.
