Eko Hot Blog reports that the Lagos State Government, led by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, recently kicked off its sixth Budget Consultative Forum.
This event, organized by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, is a significant step in preparing the Year 2025 budget, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.
The consultative forum started on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in the Lagos division at Blessing Hall, Eko Club, and will conclude in the Badagry division on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Makanjuola Auditorium in Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo.
Mr. Olalekan Hafeez Balogun, Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Planning and Budget, reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to improving the wellbeing of Lagosians, completing ongoing projects, and initiating new ones to enhance the state’s infrastructure.
“This forum ensures that inputs from all stakeholders across Lagos State’s five divisions are included in the budget preparation process,” Mr. Balogun said.
He emphasized the state’s commitment to citizen engagement, encapsulated in the slogan ‘Ajumose’, meaning ‘joint effort’.
This approach has evolved the forum from a state-level event to one that engages the three senatorial districts and the five IBILE divisions.
Mr. Balogun stressed the administration’s philosophy of “All-inclusive Governance,” reinforcing the maxim “No One Must Be Left Behind.”
This includes consideration of all social statuses, genders, and ages in policy development.
The forum serves as a platform for citizens to voice their opinions and for the government to update them on the half-year budget performance and available resources, considering economic variables.
He highlighted that the forum provides an opportunity to share ideas aimed at achieving a “Greater Lagos,” ensuring that citizens’ interests are reflected in the budget within the available resources.
Attendees included Traditional Rulers, Community and Religious leaders, the Organized Private Sector, Professionals, Trade groups, NGOs, Youth Groups & Organizations, People Living with Disability (PLWD), and Civil Society representatives.
This diverse audience aims to build confidence and encourage active participation in the budget process.
Mr. Balogun urged Lagosians to fulfill their civic duties by paying taxes regularly, obeying traffic rules, being environmentally conscious, and maintaining security.
He called on all divisions to present programs and projects that enhance their socio-economic wellbeing.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Balogun, on behalf of the Commissioner, acting Permanent Secretary, Management, and staff of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, and the Lagos State Government, welcomed all participants and wished them successful deliberations.
The forum underscores the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to engaging with citizens and ensuring that Lagos State’s development goals are achieved with broad-based support and active involvement from all sectors of society.
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