Lagos State Government Negins Public Hearing on 2025 Budget

The Lagos State Government has disclosed that 23 per cent of the 2024 budget has been spent on infrastructural renewal and development across the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ope George, stated this on Wednesday during the year 2025 budget consultative forum, Ikeja Division, held in Agidingbi, Ikeja.

George explained that the forum was held to inform the public of the government’s plan for the rest of 2024 and the focus areas for the year 2025 and to promote citizens’ participation in budget preparation.

He said, “The Lagos State Government provided 23 per cent of the year 2024 budget to its Economic Affairs Sector to cater for infrastructural renewal and development to modernise the city and support its growing population.

“The state launched several initiatives and projects to improve the standard of living, build infrastructure, ensure food security, enhance ease of doing business and affordable public transportation, and improve energy supply.

“These include the rehabilitation of the Egbeda-Idimu Road, Lawal Street at Alimosho, distribution of Ounje Eko palliatives, 25 per cent transport rebate, 25 per cent food discount, and 400 Small and Medium Scale beneficiaries who received N277,972,6422 between January and June 2024.

“The 2024 Budget of Renewal will continue to be driven by fostering social inclusion, gender equality, and youth development.”

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Economic Planning and Budget, Lekan Balogun, urged citizens of the state to fulfill their civic responsibilities by paying their taxes as and when due.

“The optimal performance of the budget is strongly dependent on revenue generated in the state. We shall remain dedicated to the successful completion of ongoing projects with a focus on fostering economic growth that will benefit citizens,” Balogun said.

Earlier in the week, George urged residents to actively participate in the budget preparation process by attending and contributing meaningfully at the scheduled venues.

He mentioned that virtual attendance had been arranged to ensure all interested members of the public could participate.

George highlighted the importance of citizen engagement in the budget process, noting that many government programmes stemmed from yearly consultation forums.