*OYO ASSEMBLY COMMENCES 2027 BUDGET DEFENCE FOR THE 33 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE STATE*

The Oyo State House of Assembly has commenced the 2027 Budget Defence exercise for the thirty-three Local Government Areas across the State.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours, Hon. Akintunde Olajide, urged the Council Chairmen and their management teams to regard the exercise as a statutory obligation rather than a witch-hunt, stressing that its primary objective is to ensure that the dividends of democracy reach the grassroots as expected.

He described the exercise as another milestone in the commitment of the 10th Oyo State House of Assembly to fulfilling its constitutional and statutory responsibilities, particularly in the consideration of the 2027 Budget Estimates of the Local Governments, which would be subjected to legislative scrutiny and subsequent reporting to the House.

He further stated that the exercise was in line with the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 19(2) of the Local Government Law of Oyo State, 2001 (as amended), which empowers the House of Assembly to approve funds for the construction and maintenance of roads, street lighting, drains, public highways, parks, gardens, open spaces and other facilities to be undertaken by Local Governments.

Hon. Olajide, however, enjoined the Council Chairmen and their management teams to ensure that the budget items and allocations were clearly spelt out to facilitate effective legislative scrutiny and promote meaningful development at the grassroots.

In his goodwill message, the Leader of the House, Hon. Sanjo Onaolapo, representing Ogbomoso South State Constituency, explained that the exercise was aimed at instilling fiscal responsibility and ensuring that the activities of Local Governments across the State were guided by relevant laws, while promoting transparency and accountability in the budgetary process.

In her closing remarks, the Clerk of the House, Barr. Mrs. Taiwo Muraina-Akinola, ably represented by the Deputy Clerk, Legislative Matters, Research and Budget, Mrs. Aderonke Ogundeji, noted that the exercise provides an opportunity for proper examination and scrutiny of the Local Government Budget Estimates before the commencement of another fiscal year.

The commencement of the 2027 Budget Defence exercise featured three Local Government Areas, namely Ogo-Oluwa, Afijio and Ibadan South-East, whose delegations were led by their respective Council Chairmen.