Just In : Akeredolu Signs 2018 Appropriation Bill Into Law

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Tuesday, signed the 2018
appropriation bill of the state into law.

The Governor also signed into law the state Contributory Health
Insurance bill and the Ondo State Social Protection law.

It would be recalled that the state House of Assembly had last year approved the #181 billion budget presented to it by Governor Akeredolu.

Signing the law at the Cocoa conference hall of the Governor’s office, Governor Akeredolu who was flanked by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon David Oloyelogun declared that the laws would enhance development in the state if properly implemented.

Akeredolu stressed that his intention was to take governance to the
people through people oriented programmes aimed at taking care of the populace.

He said his administration will concentrate more on capital
expenditure to abridge the huge infrastructural deficit in the state.

The Governor who lamented the huge concentration of budgets on
recurrent expenditure, stated that the state of development in the
state was worrisome, adding, however that he was prepared to develop
the state and make it envy of others.

In the budget, capital expenditure for the fiscal year stands at N80
billion, while debt service will cost N13.600 Billion and statutory
transfers local governments is put at N8.307.

On the Contributory Health Insurance Scheme law, the governor said the
law will ensure that every resident of the state has access to good
health care services.

He said “the bill will ensure that all residents of Ondo State have
financial protection, physical access to quality and affordable health
care services. It will also protect families from the financial
hardship posed by huge medical bills and regulate the rise in the cost
of health care services. It will ensure that the poor and vulnerable
shall be guaranteed the basic minimum package as defined under the National Health Act.”

Akeredolu said the bill will bring equitable distribution of health
care costs across different income groups and maintain high standard
of health care delivery services in the health sector.

According to him, the bill will provide efficiency in health care
service delivery and improve private sector participation in the
provision of health care services among others.

Akeredolu therefore said his administration would continue to make the well-being of the
people the commanding principle upon which all activities of his
administration are laid.