The Kwara State House of Assembly has commenced debate on the general Principles of 2017 Appropriations bill before the House for legislative approval
It would be recalled that the State Governor Alhaji Abdul Fatah Ahmed had on presented a budget of N135,264,529,461 before the House for consideration of the House.
Leading in the debate, the Leader of the House ,Hon Hassan Oyeleke said the budget was a significant improvement from the previous years, stressing that there had been progressive improvement in the Internally Generated Revenue of the state with the advent of the state Internal Revenue Service and state Single Treasury Account to make the state self sustaining and less dependant on the federation Account.
Hon.Oyeleke who did sectoral analysis of the Appropriation bill enjoined the House to ensure that all constituencies in the state have projects worth N1.5b in the budget to enhance the wellbeing of the people across the state.
In her contribution, a member representing Ilorin Central Constituency Hajia Segilola Abdul kadir urged the House to ensure that the Appropriation Bill addresses the distortion of Ilorin Master plan, some abandoned rural electrification projects to restore sanity in the construction of houses and improved on the standard of living of rural dwellers of the State.
Responding, the Speaker , Dr. Ali Ahmad said the budget must address specific needs of the People of the State, especially in the areas of Community Health Insurance scheme, Scholarship/ Bursary to Students, harnessing tourism and agricultural potentials of the state, with a view of making the State, less dependant on federal allocation as well as fast track the socio- economic emancipation of the State.
The Speaker then enjoined members to focus their debates on making the budget addressing the needs of the People of the State.
Meanwhile, the House has confirmed the appointment of Justice Mohammed Ola Abdul Kadir as the 6th substantive Grand Khadi of the State Shariah Court of Appeal in accordance with provisions of section 276(4) of the 1999 Constitution.
The confirmation was sequel to the message of the Governor to the Speaker seeking the confirmation of the Grand Khadi and his screening by members of the House.
Speaking on the confirmation, the Speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad said the new Grand Khadi had complied with all relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution and expressed his suitability for the post.
The House in its wednesday's sitting equally directed relevant government agencies to ensure that no Petrol Station in the State hoards Petroleum Product in anticipation of fuel price hike.
This followed a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by a member representing Oke - Ogun Constituency Barrister Kamaldeen, on the refusal of some Filling Stations to dispense petroleum products to motorists in the State capital.
Reading the resolution of the House, the Speaker, Dr. Ahmad said the House would resist further exploitation of the masses of the State, by the petroleum marketers
