The Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area in Lagos State, Mr Oladotun Olakanle, on Monday presented N3.24 billion proposed budget for 2023 tagged “Budget of Stabilisation” to the legislative house.
Speaking at the occassion, Olakanle said the budget is in tandem with the T.H.E.M.E agenda of the Lagos State Government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Giving the breakdown of the proposed budget, Olakanle said capital expenditure would gulp N1.16 billion representing 35.97 per cent of the budget.
He added that N2.08 billion, representing 64.03 per cent, would be used for recurrent expenditure.
The chairman said the budget would sustain the work which his administration started immediately he was sworn into office.
He said: “As you are aware that the cardinal objectives remains the same which is promoting a liveable environment for all our people; residents, businesses and visitors to the area.
“Human capital development in its broad sense including staff welfare and maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructural facilities.
“Our focus is not only about bricks and mortar but we are equally concerned about alleviating poverty, supporting individuals to sustain their optimal potential and ensuring that they do so in a secure and clean environment.”
Olakanle said the approved 2022 budget performed well in many aspect but his administration was unable to implement all it planned due to paucity of resources.
The chairman said some of the projects earmarked for execution in 2022 budget would be rolled over into the proposed 2023 budget due to paucity of resources.
While highlighting his achievements in the past year, Olakanle said the government purchased refuse compactor and provided medical outreach in all the six wards.
He added that the council distributed GCE and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination forms for pupils and gave scholarships to pupils, among others.
In his speech, the Leader of the House, Mr Kayode Opayemi, urged the chairman to stop playing divide and rule among the councilors to ensure the development of the council
He said: “You cannot ask for our cooperation and be playing antics to this House in which you are seeking cooperation from.
Opayemi, however, appreciated the chairman for presentimg the 2023 Appropriation Bill on time.
He also thanked his colleagues and all the council’s head of departments for making the presentation a reality
Opayemi urged the chairman to construct a befitting legislative building for the six councillors in the council.
“This is not the appropriate place the House should be receiving budget, we need a legislative building.
“The House will not want to hold the next budget presentation in this small room, it wants to host it in your own legislative chamber,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the chairman presented six cars to the councilors and 14 cars to the head of departments on low interest rates to be deducted from their salaries.
Guests that attended the budget presentation included traditional rulers, party chieftains, market women and youth leaders, among others.
(NAN)