The Ogun State House of Assembly has called on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to adopt transparency and accountability in the allocation and utilization of public funds to ensure government resources deliver maximum value to citizens.
Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Musefiu Lamidi, made this appeal on Monday at the commencement of the 2025 budget defence exercise held at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Describing the budget defence as a vital component of governance, Lamidi stressed that the exercise was not just about discussing figures but assessing the tangible impact of MDAs’ proposed projects and programmes on the people of the state.
“We are here to ensure that the resources allocated translate into meaningful, measurable, and sustainable benefits for our citizens,” Lamidi said.
He urged ministry representatives to present clear and factual breakdowns of their proposed budgets, showcase their achievements over the past year, and outline concrete plans for the coming fiscal year.
“Today, we begin this exercise with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, a key institution in advancing the welfare, empowerment, and protection of the vulnerable segments of our population,” Lamidi noted. He highlighted the ministry’s role in fostering inclusive growth to ensure no one is left behind in the state’s developmental vision.
The chairman further emphasized the importance of commissioners and heads of agencies being physically present during their budget defences to remain aligned with the state’s appropriation goals. He assured that the assembly would conduct the exercise with fairness, professionalism, and strict adherence to the principles of good governance.
Defending the budget of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Commissioner Adijat Adeleye revealed that N1.050 billion had been earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while N468.4 million was allocated for capital projects, bringing the ministry’s total budget to N1.5 billion.
Adeleye assured that the ministry would continue to invest in gender-responsive and inclusive programmes aimed at empowering women, men, and youth through sustainable development initiatives.
The budget defence exercise will continue as other MDAs are scheduled to present their financial proposals before the Assembly.