The House, at plenary on Tuesday, also read three other laws for the first time. The bills are the Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission (Amendment) Bill 2016; the Ekiti State Health Management Board (Amendment) Bill 2016, and the Ekiti State Housing Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2016. According to a statement by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Speaker, Stephen Gbadamosi, members of the House, who deliberated extensively on the budget review bill, observed that recent economic developments in the state made the amendment necessary. Speaker of the House, Honourable Kola Oluwawole; his deputy, Mr Segun Adewumi; Leader of the House, Tunji Akinyele; Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Abiola Jeje; Ekundayo Adeleye, among others, explained that there were some projects for which funds were allocated but which were not being carried out for one reason or the other. They added that such funds should be re-directed to other areas where funds had become inadequate, citing example of the proposed airport project which had become stalled. According to Jeje, “to ensure transparency and accountability in governance, it is important to pass the supplementary budget. This will allow the government to attend to any emergency work that needs the attention of the government. The bill should be committed to the Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further action.” They also cited some sectors where allocated funds had become surplus, where such funds could be used in other areas. Earlier, the House had also passed a resolution, under a motion of public importance moved by Honourable Adewumi, extolling the state government over the excellent performance of Ekiti State in the 2016 National Examination Council (NECO) examinations,. “This is due to the excellent performance of Mr Governor in the area of repositioning education in Ekiti State. He has introduced many innovations, such as motivation of teachers with car loans, prizes for best teachers, among others. “Inasmuch as education is the only industry we have in Ekiti, we have to handle it with all the seriousness it deserves. We should call on sons and daughters of Ekiti and all well-meaning Nigerians to assist Ekiti to keep the flag flying,” Adewumi said.]]>