Ambode Presents N1.046trn 2018 Budget Proposal To House Of Assembly

By Sunday Okobi

…Infrastructure, Education, Transport, Security, Health Sectors Get Lion Share

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday presented the 2018 budget proposal of N1.046trillion to the state House of Assembly, with a pledge that his administration will make every effort to complete all ongoing projects as well as initiate new ones to consolidate on the development recorded in the last 30 months.

Ambode, who christened the 2018 budget ‘Budget of Progress and Development’, said it would be used to consolidate on the achievements recorded in infrastructure, education, transportation/traffic management, security and health sectors.

He said the budget would also focus on mandatory capacity building for civil servants, all teachers in public secondary and primary schools, officers in the health service sector and women and youth empowerment alongside Medium and Small/Micro Size Entrepreneurs (MSMSEs).

Outlining the key components of the budget, the governor said capital expenditure would gulp N699.082billion while N347.039billion would be dedicated to recurrent expenditure, representing a capital/recurrent ratio of 67 percent to 33 percent and a 28.67 percent increase in 2017 budget.

He said despite the modest achievements recorded in 2017, there was still much work ahead, assuring residents that the government would not relent in its efforts to give Lagosians the best by way of continuous and efficient service delivery.

“Lagos has always been a trailblazer and we must consolidate on the economic gains made so far by initiating people-friendly programmes and projects that will attract more economic improvement in 2018.

“It is our resolve in 2018 to strive and complete all on-going projects in order to meet their specified completion period and embark on new strategic projects. We intend to improve on our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the face of the dwindling accruable revenue allocation from the federal government, sustain our vision on wealth creation and poverty alleviation,” Ambode said.

The governor also listed key projects captured in the 2018 budget to include the Agege Pen Cinema flyover; alternative routes through Oke-Ira in Eti-Osa to Epe-Lekki expressway; the 8kilometres regional road to serve as alternative route to connect Victoria Garden City (VGC) with Freedom road in Lekki Phase I; completion of the on-going reconstruction of Oshodi International Airport road to a 10-lane road and the BRT Lane from Oshodi to Abule-Egba.

On infrastructural renewal, Ambode said his administration remained committed to sustaining the tempo of continuous construction, rehabilitation, upgrading and maintenance of network of roads across the state including those within the boundary areas of Lagos and Ogun States, and that the bus reform initiative would be consolidated with the introduction of high and medium capacity buses, construction and completion of bus parks at Oshodi, Anthony, Yaba and other places.

He also said the movement of Mile 12 market to Imota had reached an advanced stage and would be completed in good time to pave way for relocation next year, while the 181 local government roads will be commenced as contractors will be mobilised immediately, as well as continuous gridlock resolution, junction improvement, construction of more laybys and advancement of signalisation that will improve traffic congestion especially along the Lekki-Epe corridor.

In the area of job creation, the governor said the state government would construct an ICT Focus Incubator centre in Yaba; commence the development of Imota and Igbonla Light Industrial Park as well as the provision of additional small scale industrial estate at Shala, while the state Employment Trust Fund will disburse more funds to Lagosians to support business and stimulate the economy.

Ambode also assured the people that his administration would vigorously pursue its planned direct intervention in the power value chain towards generating 3,000MW embedded power programme within a three-year plan to achieving 24/7 power supply for the state, stressing that the challenge of inadequate power supply must be resolved for the economy to perform optimally.

He said within the 2018 fiscal year, the state government would continue to rekindle its efforts in the area of tourism, sports, arts and culture as well as embark on some major projects that would ensure that the state emerges the hub for tourism, sports and entertainment.

He listed some of the projects to include completion of the five new art theatres; establish a Heritage Centre at the former Federal Presidential State House recently handed over to the state government; build a world class museum between the former Presidential Lodge and the State House, Marina; fast-track the construction of the proposed four new stadia in Igbogbo, Epe, Badagry and Ajeromi Ifelodun (Ajegunle) and complete the on-going Epe and Badagry Marina projects.

On Housing, Ambode said all on-going projects especially those at Gbagada, Igbogbo, Iponri, Igando, Omole Phase I, Sangotedo and Ajara-Badagry would be completed for delivery under the Rent-to-Own policy.

While acknowledging the cooperation and support received from Lagosians, members of the Business Community, Professional Bodies, non-governmental organisations and the state civil servants in years past, the governor noted that the modest achievements by his administration within a short period couldn’t have been possible without residents who have been paying their taxes willingly and faithfully.

Giving a sectorial breakdown at a press briefing in Alausa, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade said General Public Services got N171,623billion, representing 16.41 percent; Public Order and Safety, N46.612billion, representing 4.46; Economic Affairs, N473,866billion, 45.30 percent; Environmental Protection, N54,582billion, representing 5.22percent while Housing and Community Amenities got N59,904billion, representing 5.73 percent.

Ashade also told journalists that Health sector got N92.676billion, representing 8.86percent; Recreation, Culture and Religion got N12.511billion, representing 1.20 percent; Education got N126.302billion representing 12.07percent, while Social Protection got N8.042billion representing 0.77percent.

Receiving the budget, Speaker of the assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, commended the governor for faithfully executing the year 2017 budget, saying the positive impact of such had been felt across the state with various projects such as the Abule Egba, Ajah and Pen Cinema flyovers, among other numerous projects in various sectors.