Members of House of Representatives committee on Public Accounts, on Friday visited Osun, as part of it’s oversight functions to assess Federal Government’s projects and interventions.
The delegation, which was led by member representing Ife Federal Constituency, Taofeek Ajilesoro, who is also the Chairman of the committee for the South West caucus, was received by the Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi, on behalf of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
Alabi, while welcoming members of the committee to the state reiterated the unflinching stance of the government in the state to jealously protect every Federal Government’s facility and adequately maintain it for the good of all.
He, however, appealed to the Federal Government, through the committee, for prompt response to some critical areas of interventions that need urgent attention, especially the school feeding programme.
The Deputy Governor explained that in line with the entrenched principle of social security, the government in the state prioritises education as determinant of sustainable development, the school feeding system is being considered as a catalyst for literacy .
“Osun is the pioneer of the school feeding system, it was a product of APC’s government conviction on the need for social security through functional educational system.
“We have seen how feeding of our pupils had immensely improved attendance in our various elementary schools, with attendant increase in school enrollment and literacy level .
“It is indeed our hope, that the Federal Government will come to our rescue on the programme, for prompt interventions for it’s sustainability, as we continue to sustain the policy with billions of naira despite limited available resources”, Alabi added.
Reacting to earlier remarks made by a member of the committee, Hon. Bamidele Salam, representing Ede/Ejigbo Federal Constituency, who lauded the smooth relationship between the executive and legislative arms of the government in the state, Alabi said, there was a consensus between the two organs of government on service to humanity, as the cardinal purpose of governance.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Salam said the purpose of the visit was to assess various interventions of the Federal Government on array of sectors and ensure judicious spending of funds for appropriate projects .
“The committee is saddled with the responsibility of looking at how funds to various projects have been utilised, especially the one being funded by TETFUND.
” We also recognise and appreciate the relationship between the executive and legislature in Osun, and the harmonious working relationship between the deputy governor and the governor, obviously, this is inspiring and commendable”, Salam asserted .
Other members of the delegation include , Hon. Taiwo Oluga, Hon. Lawrence Ayeni, Hon. Yinusa Amobi, and Hon. Bukola Oyewo.