Sanwo-Olu Assents N2.267trn Budget

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, signed the N2.267 trillion 2024 Appropriation Bill of Lagos State into law, ushering in a new expenditure cycle.

The Governor assented to the “Budget of Renewal” days after the House of Assembly passed the proposed expenditure bill and transmitted it to the executive arm for approval.

The State Government is prioritising spending on infrastructure, the environment, education, and technology, just as it significantly raised the allocation to security and public safety.

Of the total budget, N1.315 trillion, representing 58 percent, is allocated for capital expenditure, while recurrent spending gulps N952.4 billion, which represents 42 percent of the budget.

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (second left) signing the Y2024 Appropriation bill into law at the Conference room of Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, 15 January 2024. With him are Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (left); Deputy Speaker, the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Meranda (second right); Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Saad Lukman Olumoh (right); Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN (right behind) and Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George (left behind).

After signing the Appropriation Bill into law, Sanwo-Olu assured us the budget would bring about new growth and improve the quality of life for the State’s residents.

The Governor disclosed that the budget was raised by N21.74 billion, which the Assembly approved before final ratification. The additional allocation, he said, is to ensure the completion of key infrastructure and inject interventions into critical areas of priority as identified by the legislature.

He said: “The success of this Appropriation Law will be determined by how effective its implementation will be about the wellbeing of our citizens. This administration is firmly committed to achieving the objectives and deliverables that have been set out in the budget. We believe this budget will not only help to advance economic growth and sustainability, it will also transform the lives of residents and businesses.

l-r: Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Speaker, the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Meranda; Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Saad Lukman Olumoh during the signing of the Y2024 Appropriation bill into law, at the Conference room of Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, 15 January 2024. Behind them: Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George (left) and Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN.

“All the objectives laid out in the Appropriation Law align with our THEMES+ agenda. We, therefore, pledge to diligently work towards the completion of a lot of our ongoing projects and successfully bring forth the Greater Lagos we have talked about. We underscore the necessity of collective responsibility to ensure the successful execution of this budget. The citizens must fulfill their civic obligation, as the effort to build the State is one that requires partnership.”

Sanwo-Olu pledged that the State Government would uphold the highest level of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the budget while promising the greatest benefits for the greatest number of residents.

Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George; Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Speaker, the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Meranda; Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Saad Lukman Olumoh and Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), during the signing of the Y2024 Appropriation bill into law, at the Conference room of Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, 15 January 2024.

The Governor thanked the House of Assembly for maintaining a spirit of patriotism and duty to the people of Lagos during the period of screening the proposed budget.

Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ope George, said the State’s 2024 expenditures came to full realisation, following the evaluation of priorities set by the MDAs to advance the development objectives of the current administration.

The Commissioner said the Government employed Medium Term Fiscal Framework prepared based on accumulated revenue that would accrue to the State. He added that the entire budget reflected the needs of all the State’s five traditional divisions.

Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa said the Assembly thoroughly screened the proposal before coming out with the final draft of the bill.

Obasa, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, assured Lagosians of the full implementation of the Appropriation Law.

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