Date: 2017-11-07

The Kwara State House of Assembly has restated its commitment towards ensuring that 2018 budget addresses critical needs of the people of the state.

The Speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad gave the assurance, in Ilorin, while declaring open the 2018 budget defense by Ministries Departments and Agencies in the state.

Dr. Ahmad who explained that budget was a cardinal function of the Parliament, disclosed that its implementation must be taken seriously by the executive arm of government, to improve on the lives of the citizens of the state.

The Speaker assured that 2018 Budget would address critical areas of Education, Health, Road and Social Services, to make government more responsive to the yearnings of the people of the state.

He expressed delight that the budget process was improving, pointing out that, if the process was improved upon, its impact would be felt more by the people of the state.

Dr. Ahmad disclosed that the legislature would increase budgetary allocation to Education and SUBEB for procurement of Instructional Materials in Primary and Junior Secondary Schools, Construction of Classrooms in the state, pointing out that education was key towards the social economic development of the state.

The State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, the State Chairman of Universal Basic Education (SUBEB)and Permanent Secretary ,Ministry of Social Development, Culture and Tourism Alhaji Musa Yeketi, Alhaji Bolakale Lawal and Dr Rhoda Ajiboye had in their submissions, highlighted the challenges confronting their respective Ministries and SUBEB and urged the House to assist in redressing the problems.

Earlier in their remarks, the Chairman House Committee on Education, and acting Chairman on information, Social Development, Youth, Sports, Culture and Tourism, Hon Jimoh Akanni Abdul Rahman and Hon. Abdul Rafiu Abdul Rahman, had called for more collaboration between the House, Budget Planning and the government, to fast track passage and implementation of budget, to improve on the wellbeing of the people of the State.