LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT OBTAINS INPUTS FROM STAKEHOLDERS, HOSTS LAGOS EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT ON THE Y2020 BUDGET IN IKORODU. | Shakiru Seidu. Monarchs, Legislators, Council Chiefs, Business moguls, Groups, Associations, others, in attendance.

All roads were led to Ikorodu Town Hall on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, as the Lagos State Government held its Y2020 budget consultative forum, meeting the Stakeholders across the Lagos East senatorial. The LASG at the gathering said the State government will conformed with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES agenda.  stated this. 

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Planning and Budget, Adebayo Sodade, whose on behalf  of the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Samuel Egube, stated this. He further explained that the key focus of the budget would be on Traffic management and transportation; health and environment; education and technology; making Lagos a 21st-century state, as well as security and governance. 

He noted that the budget would also focus on rehabilitation of schools and hospitals, as well as sustaining the ‘light-up initiative of the state government,’ added that ongoing projects would be completed while new ones would also be initiated. “The government will embrace the Public-Private Partnership arrangement to drive infrastructural renewal," he said. 

Sodade described that the forum was aimed at giving credence, as well as greater transparency and accountability to the state’s budget preparation process, adding that the process had become expedient and very useful in the past as it is an avenue for government to inform stakeholders of the total resources available for the annual budget.

He explained that the Y2020 budget was being designed to be people -oriented in order to ensure a ‘Lagos that works for all ’ irrespective of age, gender, tribe or status, saying that government looked forward to have a robust citizens’ participation in the budget preparation process by every organisation and bodies. “You will be expected to present ideas that are beneficial to the people and of utmost importance towards improving the socio-economic wellbeing, wealth and crucial development of this district,” he said.

However, he urged and appealed to everyone to fulfill their civil responsibilities through their regular remittance of their taxes as and when due. It's the desire of this administration to continue go render some services free of charge while there are also good intentions to improve on the provision of basic infrastructural needs and yearning of the people, but we must also do our best because government cannot do it alone. We shall continue to count on your support and cooperation.

His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, and other Royal Heads in attendance were all contributed their inputs towards the growth and economic development. Speaking to MegaXpression Community Magazine, HRM Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, said, "to a reasonable limit, we have funds to run the government in Lagos State so the government should look after the roads, hospitals, the labour force which is necessary in what we are discussing and they should also look after how raw materials will be channeled to Lagos. If we have all these factors of production like I mentioned then it is going to serve as a growth to the economy”. 

Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade the majority leader Lagos  State House of Assembly, from Ikorodu constituency 1 also said to MegaXpression News that “the major needs of the people of Ikorodu Division presently is to repair and construct most of our roads, almost 90% of the roads in Ikorodu Division are damaged. Presently, people have to wake up early in order to beat traffic. We have the problem of road infrastructure, we also have the problem of school infrastructure.

“Imagine Ikorodu division does not have a stadium and the youths don’t have the chance to explore their talents and exercise themselves. If the roads in Ikorodu are fixed and the schools are attended to, then I’m sure Ikorodu will grow well and fast”. He concluded.

In his own remarks, Hon Nurudeen Sholaja-Saka, representing Ikorodu constituency 2, commended the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for him to have brought down the budget department for discussion. "Then, it means he needed first hand information in terms of inputs into the Y2020 budget," he said.

“The House of Assembly Members did it last week and the State are also doing it this week to reciprocate what had been done by the House of Assembly. The people needs good roads, water, health facilities, additional primary schools because of the expansion in Ikorodu Division, upgrading of health centres to general hospital and also empowerment and technology in our Division and lastly, they need qualified teachers in both primary and secondary schools” Sholaja-Saka added.

His Royal Majesties, HRM Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, HRM Oba Kabir Shotobi Ayangburen of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Adeoriyomi Akeem Obateru of Egbin, HRM Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro Ranodu of Imota, HRM Oba Obayomi Ogunlari Olowu of Owu Ikosi, HRM Oba Asunmu Ganiu Alayandelu of Odo Ayandelu were present at the event. 

Others are Hon SOB Agunbiade, Hon Solaja-Saka, Hon Adebimpe Akinsola, Comrade Olusesan Daini of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Comrade Fatiu Salisu of Ijede LCDA, Prince Wasiu Agoro of Imota LCDA, Chief Ganiu Owolabi, Chief Owolabi Kazeem, League of Baales, Artisans, CDAs, Security Personnel, among others.

SHAKIRU SEIDU
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief,
MegaXpression Community Magazine.