Patrick, Lagos
Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola has proposed N489.690b as the budget estimate for the Year 2014 to the state House of Assembly for consideration and approval.
The proposed budget, being a shortfall of N16.915b from N506.605b Y2013 budget (as amended), is “to focus on completion of on-going projects and to consolidate on its gains.”
The budget consists of N255.025b for capital expenditure and N234.665b for recurrent expenditure.
Governor Fashola noted that the 2013 budget has had a cumulative aggregate performance of 71 per cent as at September 2013, with on-going developmental projects in all parts of the state, adding that “to sustain this developmental works, I therefore proposed a budget of N489.690b for year 2014.”
According to him, “Our capital to recurrent ratio is 52:48 for Y2014 as against 58:42 in Y2013. Total Personnel Cost/Total Revenue is 19 per cent; Total Personnel Cost/IGR is 27 per cent; Personnel Cost as percentage of Recurrent Expenditure is 37 per cent.
“As I promised last year about reducing our deficit, a zero deficit financing requirement is proposed for Y2014.
“The Sectoral allocation of the Budget in size and percentage are as follows: General Public Service gets N100.216b (covering pensions; Residents Registration and Issuance of permanent residents’ cards; Implementation of Public Procurement Law); Public Order and Safety N23.977b, representing 3.6 per cent (Computerisation/Automation of Judicial procedures including e-filing; Completion of on-going High/Magistrate Courts projects; Renovation/Rehabilitation of Court Rooms and Judges Chambers; Improving Safety and Disaster Management).
“Economic Affairs gets N150.046b represent 36.63 per cent (for the Implementation of various IPP projects; Development of Enterprise Zone in Gberigbe, Ikorodu and Upgrading of Yaba Industrial Park; Advancement of Ten-Lane Lagos-Badagry Expressway / Blue Rail Line Corridor; Completion of other on-going Road Construction Projects and pedestrian bridges; Agric-YES, Accelerated Food Expansion Program: Rice, Animal Husbandry, Root Crops).
“Environmental Protection gets N39.767b, representing 8.7 per cent of the budget ( to cover Improvement/Maintenance of Drainage Channels; Completion of New Sewage Treatment Plant at Odo Iya-Alaro; Advancement of Adiyan Water works Phase II and Improvement water pipeline in Lagos West; Continuous tree planting, beautification and climate change projects).
“Housing and Community Amenities gets N50.537b, representing 10.36 per cent of the budget (covering Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (H.O.M.S); Rehabilitation of small scale Rural Water Schemes /Implementation of Rural Electrification Projects; Provision of Rural Roads; Electronic Certificate of Occupancy; Upgrading of slum areas).
“Health get N37.816b, representing 7.73per cent of the budget (for Upgrading of Health Facilities; Renovation and equipping of flagship Primary Healthcare Centres; Completion of on-going Health Facilities such as Ayinke House; Completion of MCCs at Epe and Badagry).
“Recreation, Culture & Religion gets N3.4b, representing 0.71per cent.
Education gets N77.423b, representing 3.81 per cent (to cover Improvement of Science and ICT facilities in Public Schools; Continuous Rehabilitation/Upgrading of Public School buildings/facilities). Social Protection gets 2.46b, representing 0.5per cent (to accommodate Completion of Ketu Vocational Centre for Children with Disability; Provision of Recreational Facilities for the Disabled; Continuous upgrading/Completion of Youth Centres; Maintenance and upkeep of Old People’s Home, Boys and Girls Remand Homes),” Fashola said.
Fashola further stated that,”Because this is the last full year budget that my administration will implement, it represents a slight reduction in budget size when compared with the 2013 budget.
“Its focus will be to complete on-going projects, and consolidate on the gains we have made.
Fashola said while his government remains committed to improve upon the fourth quarter performance and ultimately the total year 2013 budget performance, it was instructive to reiterate some of the reasons they have not exceeded the performances I have just reported.
“While I salute those who pay their taxes and whose contributions have helped to continuously develop our state by taking our destiny in our hands, I urge those who are yet to start paying to do so.
“It is a commonwealth that gives everybody a chance to realise their aspirations. It requires a common contribution to make it sustainable.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji noted that the presentation of the budget by the Governor before the House is a Constitutional matter.
Ikuforiji explained that adherence to the counsel has been Assembly’s watchword in dealing with the executive arm of government in the budgetary process of Lagos State.
According to him, “We focus on how the budget can maximally benefit the generality of our people and address the issues of poverty and deprivation. I want to assure you on behalf of all of us that we will apply our utmost best, within our legislative powers to give this budget proposal the detailed attention it deserves for its transformation into appropriation bill for the benefit, prosperity, growth and development of Lagos State and Lagosians.
“As the House of Assembly parleys with the executive to move the state forward, let me reiterate here that there is a great need to also put life in our local councils so that they can realise the objectives of their existence. There are indications that various local government councils and local council development areas could perform better than they do presently if they are adequately funded and monitored,” the Speaker stated.”
Ikuforiji explained that the budget proposal should answer questions posed to “us by posterity and establish us a legacy. Our nation’s resources are unequally apportioned. This inequality is fuelling discontent; the polity is heated up; high office holders particularly at the Federal level are socially distanced from the electorate.
“Therefore, our State budget proposal should always be geared towards promoting and actualizing unison among our people. For this singular reason, we at the House of Assembly, urge your Excellency to bring to the front burner, the matter of ongoing projects completion. I make this statement for purpose of emphasis because of its relative importance,” he added.
