2024 Appropriation Bill scales second reading in Lagos Assembly

The 2024 Appropriation Bill presented by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu before the House of Assembly last week has scaled second reading on Monday.

WesternPost had reported that Sanwo-Olu presented N2.24trn budget estimate for the consideration of the lawmakers.

Speaking during plenary session, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Planning, Hon. Lukmon Olumoh (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1) said the budget aims to address various issues resulting from the removal of subsidy and exchange rate.

He added that the budget should be made to minimise waste and enhance economic growth.

Contirbuting to the debate, Chiarman House Committee on Finance, Hon. Femi Saheed (Kosofe2 said with the budget, Lagos would move away from relying on federal allocations.

Saheed stated that the amount allocated to education and environment sectors would address challenges facing them, adding that the budget proposal was standard.

while his colleague, Hon. Kehinde Joseph, said the budget should address situations where some agencies of government exist in rented buildings.

Joseph said that it was expensive for the government to pay rent on agencies accommodation, adding that there was need to complete the ongoing office project in the state secretariat.

Also, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon (Kosofe 1) described the proposal as a developmental budget because it aims to address ongoing projects like the red and purple rail lines.

In his contribution, Deputy Majority Leader Adedamola Richard Kasunmu said “the budget can be self-sustaining and realistic if the right thing is done according to what the Speaker said during the budget presentation.”

He added that focus should be given to health and education.

However, after much deliberation by the lawmakers, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, committed the Bill to a joint-committee of the House for proper scrutiny.

Obasa urged the joint-committee on Economic Planning and Finance to ensure it works hard enough to produce a well-scrutinised budget in three weeks for the benefit of the people of Lagos State.

He directed the joint committee to report back in 3 weeks.