Gov. Sanwo-Olu defends N2.2tn budget for Lagos State
Obasa says Assembly will pass it before 2024
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N2.24tn was a true reflection of the size of the state.
He said this when he appeared at the ongoing three-day budget retreat for Lagos lawmakers and legislative workers in Abuja. The retreat, put together by the state House of Assembly, is titled ‘Sustainability of ongoing reforms in Lagos State: Prospects, opportunities and challenges’.
Ina statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, governor Sanwo-Olu commended the legislators for their commitment to duty.
TMY Newspapers recalls that the governor on Wednesday presented the ‘Budget of Renewed Hope’ of N2.24tn to the Assembly, consistiing N1.84tn revenue and deficit financing of N398.28bn.
According to the statement, Sanwo-Olu is quoted as saying, “You see, what Lagos State is doing shows that we are leading the way for other states to copy. We show the way in legislative, executive and judiciary affairs.
“This is an avenue for you to bond, interact, appreciate one another and effectively do the job that the people of Lagos have asked us to do. There is the talk around town that we have a big budget but I also tell them it is because we are big people in the state.
“I appreciate the fact that you have a huge responsibility and I pray to God Almighty to give you the ability and courage to do the work dispassionately. Whatever the outcome is, you can rest assured that the governor will stand by it and work with you.”
The governor of Lagos state stated that there was no rift between him and the speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, stressing that they were brothers and friends, and that they would continue to work together to move the state forward.
Sanwo-Olu stated that President Bola Tinubu was monitoring them because he had no other state that he could call his own. “Our success is his success and Nigeria’s success’’.
On his part, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Obasa pledged a quick passage of the 2024 budget before January 1.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Eromosele Ebhomele, Obasa, “We are working on the 2024 budget and that is why we are here. I want to assure you that we will do our best to return the approved budget to you as soon as possible.
“It is going to be a New Year present to you and the people of Lagos.”
He added, “We also thank you for not being like other governors who seal up the Assembly complex or who remove roofs of Assembly buildings. That is why Lagos is great and the Lagos Assembly is above the common standards of excellence.”
