Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Saturday said the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N2.24tn was a reflection of the size of the state.
He spoke during his visit to the ongoing three-day budget retreat for Lagos lawmakers and legislative workers in Abuja. The retreat, organised by the state House of Assembly, is titled ‘Sustainability of ongoing reforms in Lagos State: Prospects, opportunities and challenges’.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, the governor praised the lawmakers for their commitment o duty.
The governor on Wednesday presented the ‘Budget of Renewed Hope’ of N2.24tn to the Assembly, comprising N1.84tn revenue and deficit financing of N398.28bn.
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The statement quoted the governor 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.”
Sanwo-Olu said there was no animosity between him and the speaker, Mudashiru Obasa. He said they were brothers and friends, and that they would continue to work together to move the state forward.
The governor said President Bola Tinubu was watching them because he had no other state that he could call his own. “Our success is his success and Nigeria’s success,” he added.
The Speaker however pledged a speedy passage of the 2024 budget before January 1.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Eromosele Ebhomele, in Lagos on Saturday, Obasa made this pledge in a statement.
Obasa said the was to ensure that the budget was passed before January 1, 2024, adding, “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 commended the governor for always supporting the Assembly in carrying out its legislative functions, while thanking the governor for harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislature in the state.
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.”
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