Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the weekend promised prudent implementation of the state’s N1.768 trillion “Budget of Continuity” he just signed into law, saying it would help to consolidate development strides of his administration and satisfy the yearnings of the residents.
The Governor said the fiscal document not only “aggressively” focuses on completing ongoing capital projects, adding that it would also expand intervention programmes and intensify social support to citizens and their means of livelihoods.
Sanwo-Olu said the spending would further demonstrate his government’s determination to scale up good governance and quality service to the citizens through the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, stressing that the budget would propel the State to higher levels of fiscal growth and social development.
The 2023 Appropriation Bill has a capital expenditure of N1.019 trillion, representing 58 per cent of the 2023 budget. The recurrent expenditure, representing 42 per cent, is N748 billion, which includes personnel cost, overhead and debt services.
The Governor said the implementation of the budget would see to completion of various ongoing capital projects, including the final construction phase of the 37-kilometre Lagos Red Rail Line from Agbado to Ebute Metta.
He added that the funding for the second phase of the Blue Line from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko had equally been approved in the budget, stressing that the Ojo General Hospital project and mental health facility in Ketu-Ereyun being undertaken by the State Government would race to completion.
Sanwo-Olu said the contractors handling various road and school construction projects in Badagry, Amuwo Odofin, Ikorodu and Eti Osa could now have access to funds to deliver the projects.
He said: “I’m delighted to assent to the 2023 Appropriation Bill transmitted to me after it was passed by the House of Assembly. The budget went through a rigorous review and passed through all the relevant statutory channels required before we now have a live document that can be implemented. This is a budget that speaks to the aspirations and the needs of Lagosians.’’
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