The 2024 budget proposal presented last Wednesday by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the state assembly has reached the committee stage.
Having scaled the second reading, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa committed the appropriation bill to a joint committee of the House for proper scrutiny.
This is as he urged the joint-committee on Economic Planning and Finance to produce a well-scrutinised budget in three weeks, for the people’s benefit.
Chairman of the joint committee Sa’ad Olumoh said the budget aims to address issues resulting from the removal of subsidy and exchange rates.
He added that the budget would be made to minimise waste.
Femi Saheed, who heads the Finance Committee, said with the budget, “Lagos is moving away from relying on federal allocations,” while his colleague, Kehinde Joseph, said the budget should address situations where some agencies of government exist in rented buildings.
Deputy Majority Leader Adedamola Kasunmu said, “the budget can be self-sustaining and realistic if the right thing is done.” He added that focus should be given to health and education.
Desmond Elliot called for an improvement in the budget for social protection to effectively reach the people, while Nureni Akinsanya said applications for Certificates of Occupancy can be made lighter for the government to make more money.
