The Chairman, House Committee on Culture and Tourism at the Kogi State House of Assembly and Member Representing Yagba West State Constituency, Hon. Ibikunle Idowu, has called for accountability and transparency in the implementation of government programmes as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism appeared before the committee for its budget defence.
Hon. Idowu made the call during the budget defence of the Kogi State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, held at the State House of Assembly complex in Lokoja.
He expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve as chairman of the committee and to contribute to the growth and development of culture and tourism in Kogi State.
Hon. Idowu said in a democratic system of government, it is the constitutional responsibility of the legislature to invite ministries, departments and agencies to appear before standing committees of the House to defend their annual budget proposals.
According to him, the oversight function is rooted in the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the legislature to scrutinise government spending.
He noted that the committee’s responsibility goes beyond examining budget estimates, stressing that lawmakers are also expected to ask critical questions on how previous budgetary allocations were utilised.
Hon. Idowu noted that the exercise was necessary to ensure accountability, effective service delivery and prudent management of public resources.
The lawmaker urged officials of the ministry to be open, detailed and comprehensive in their submissions to enable the committee to carry out its oversight duties effectively.
He commended the ministry’s officials for honouring the invitation and called for sustained cooperation between the legislature and the executive to strengthen the culture and tourism sector in the state.