The Edo State House of Assembly has referred the 2026 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, which proposes N70 billion for road projects and N7.5 billion for electricity, to its Committee on Appropriation and Project Monitoring.
The bill scaled second reading during plenary on Tuesday following a formal request by Governor Monday Okpebholo for legislative consideration of the proposed supplementary budget.
Leading the debate, Majority Leader Sunday Ojezele explained that the bill seeks to reallocate funds from areas where they were under-utilised to sectors that require additional funding for effective project implementation.
Supporting the proposal, Mr. Jonathan Ibhamawu (Esan West) noted that the supplementary budget includes N70 billion for roads and N7.5 billion for electricity. Ms. Natasha Osawaru (Egor) also backed the bill, stating that its provisions would address the needs of residents across the 18 local government areas of the state. She added that the proposed allocations cover critical sectors, including education and security.
Mrs. Maria Edeko (Esan North-East II) described the bill as a direct response to the needs of the people. Following the deliberations, the House referred the bill to the Committee on Appropriation and Project Monitoring for further legislative work. The committee is expected to report back to the House within two weeks.
In another development, the Assembly approved the appointment of additional Special Advisers at both the state and local government levels after a request by the governor. Okpebholo had sought the approval to strengthen administration across the two tiers of government.
Majority Leader Ojezele, who led the debate on the matter, said the state government required additional support to manage the affairs of the state more effectively. On the local government appointments, Mr. Sunday Aghedo (Ovia South-West) explained that council chairmen previously had one Special Adviser each, and that the new proposal sought approval for five additional advisers in each of the 18 local government councils.
Also at Tuesday’s plenary, the House passed a bill seeking to repeal the Bendel State Post-Primary Education Edict of 1988 and establish the Senior Secondary Education Board. The bill was considered after the House resolved into a Committee of the Whole to examine its provisions clause by clause.
Following the consideration, Speaker Yekini Idaiye directed that a clean copy of the bill be forwarded to the governor for assent.
The House thereafter adjourned plenary to Wednesday.