THISDAY

Sanwo-Olu Assents to Lagos’ N2.267 Trillion Budget of Renewal

Governor prioritise­s economic affairs, targets improved wellbeing for citizens

- Segun James

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, at a ceremony held in the State House, Alausa, 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, environmen­t, education and technology, just as it significan­tly raised allocation to security and public safety.

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

After signing the Appropriat­ion Bill into law, Sanwo-Olu said assured that the implementa­tion of the budget would bring about new growth and improve 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 the final ratificati­on. The additional allocation, he said, is to ensure 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 in relation to 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 the residents and businesses.

“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 the collective responsibi­lity to ensure the successful execution of this budget. The citizens must fulfil their civic obligation, as the effort to build the State is one that requires partnershi­p.”

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

The Governor thanked the House of Assembly for maintainin­g spirit of patriotism and duty to the people of

Lagos during the period of screening the proposed budget.

Commission­er for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. 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.

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