The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, has pledged a swift approval of the 2024 budget totalling N2.246 trillion before the commencement of the new year.
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, on Saturday, Mr. Eromosele Ebhomele, Obasa reaffirmed this commitment during Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s official visit to the ongoing three-day budget retreat for Lagos lawmakers and legislative workers in Abuja.
The retreat, themed “Sustainability of Ongoing Reforms in Lagos State: Prospects, Opportunities, and Challenges,” aimed to facilitate discussions and strategies for the timely passage of the 2024 budget.
Earlier in the week, Governor Sanwo-Olu presented the N2.246 trillion “Budget of Renewed Hope” to the State House of Assembly, consisting of a total revenue projection of N1.848 trillion and deficit financing of N398.28 billion.
Speaker Obasa said, “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.”
Acknowledging Governor Sanwo-Olu’s support for the legislative functions, Obasa praised the governor’s collaborative efforts in fostering a harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in Lagos State.
“We also thank you for not being like other governors who seal up the assembly complex or who remove roofs of assembly buildings,” he said. “That is why Lagos is great and the Lagos assembly is above the common standards of excellence.”
In his remarks, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the Lagos State lawmakers for their legislative excellence, urging them to sustain the high standard they had set.
The governor noted that Lagos State’s leadership role in legislative, executive, and judicial affairs, highlighting the importance of effective collaboration among government arms for the state’s development.
Sanwo-Olu further expressed gratitude for the lawmakers’ dedication, assuring them of his commitment to support their decisions for the betterment of Lagos and the country at large.
“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,” he said.
“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 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.”
He emphasised the unity and shared responsibility between himself and Speaker Obasa, noting their collective commitment to elevating Lagos to unparalleled levels of development.
Sanwo-Olu underscored the significance of their success, echoing the impact of their decisions on Lagos and Nigeria’s overall progress. He affirmed their determination to set a precedent for other states to emulate in governance and development.
The governor reiterated that President Bola Tinubu was closely observing their progress and stressed the significance of Lagos State in the country’s advancement.
