Lagos To Begin Work On 181 LG Roads As Ambode Presents N1.046tn 2018 Budget

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday presented the Year 2018 Budget proposal of N1.046trillion to the 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.

Governor Ambode, who christened the 2018 Budget as “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/primary schools, officers in the health service sector and women &
youth empowerment alongside Medium and Small/Micro Size Entrepreneurs (MSMSE’s).

Outlining the key components of the budget, Governor Ambode 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 over Year 2017 budget.

The Governor said that despite the modest achievements recorded in 2017, there was still
much work ahead, assuring that 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 Year 2018.

“It is our resolve in Year 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 8km 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 into a 10-lane road and the BRT Lane from Oshodi to Abule-Egba.

On infrastructural renewal, Governor Ambode said his administration remains 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 depots at Oshodi, Anthony,  Yaba and many others.

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 mobilized immediately, as well as continuous gridlock resolution, junction improvement, construction of more laybys and advancement of signalization that will improve traffic congestion especially along the Lekki-Epe corridor.

In the area of job creation, Governor Ambode said the 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.

Governor Ambode also assured that his administration will 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.

He stressed that the challenge of inadequate power supply must be resolved for the economy to perform optimally.

The Governor said within the 2018 fiscal year, the 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 as 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 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, Governor Ambode said that 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 Organizations 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.

Besides, Governor Ambode urged residents to embrace the Public Utility Levy as the Cleaner
Lagos Initiative aimed at ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment would commence in 2018.

Governor Ambode also commended members of the House of Assembly for their selfless service
and support, saying that they have proven themselves to be dynamic and robust lawmakers
and partners in progress.

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

Ashade also told journalists that Health sector got N92.676billion, representing 8.86 percent; 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 House, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa commended Governor
Ambode 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.

Obasa, who specifically lauded the fact that the 2018 budget estimate had provision for
continuous infrastructural development in various sectors such as transport, security, environment,
housing, health and capacity building for all public servants including teachers and health workers,
however assured that the House would scrutinize it and ensure that the budget delivered on its
promises to stimulate the economy of the State by focusing on infrastructure development,
delivering inclusive growth and prioritizing the welfare of all Lagosians.

The event was attended by dignitaries in the State including members of the State Executive
Council led by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, former Speakers of the Lagos State
House of Assembly, members of the National Assembly from Lagos State, former Deputy
Governors of the State, party chieftains, traditional rulers, religious leaders, among others.