The 2014 budget of the Lagos State Government will focus on new Independent Power Projects, construction of water supply plants and completion of ongoing road projects, among others, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Ben Akabueze, has said.
Akabueze, who spoke recently at the 2014 Budget Consultative Forum held in Lagos, said infrastructure development and renewal was key to transforming the society and, as such, the state would not relent in spending on more developmental projects.
“The emphasis will continue to be on completing ongoing road projects, including the Isheri-Ijegun road, Shangisha road and Lagos-Badagry Expressway, among others, while IPPs, waterworks, security and law enforcement will also continue to gain our emphasis,” he said.
The commissioner said that very soon, some areas in Lagos State would no longer depend on Power Holding Company of Nigeria for power supply as many of the state’s IPPs would come on stream in 2014.
According to Akabueze, the government is paying more attention to power supply because many of the water plants in Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikeja, among others, will depend on the IPPs for power supply.
“Power is a major challenge when it comes to water supply, the installed capacity of most water plants cannot be reached due to inadequate power supply,” he noted.
The yearly budget consultative forum, he said, was meant to strengthen the state government’s belief of carrying the people along in all its projects, adding that the intention of the state was to make the budget process participatory.
The commissioner, who disclosed that the 7th Lagos Economic Summit would hold next year, noted that the state would not fail to fulfill its promise to the people.
He also emphasised the need for every resident of the state to register with the state government.
Akabueze added, “Everyone who is willing to be law-abiding and ready to contribute its quota is welcome. However, you must be registered. We cannot effectively plan to meet the needs of the people if we don’t have their demographic record. So, you must be registered. Lagos occupies 0.4 per cent of the country’s land mass while 13 per cent of the population are resident in Lagos.”
According to him, the Lagos State Homes and Ownership Mortgage Scheme will soon be unveiled for residents to benefit from.
He said, “About 1,500 houses have been completed. The governor has insisted that the houses will be sold, not on cash-and-carry basis, but on mortgage basis. They are finalising the legal process. For instance, one of the conditions that will guide it is that anybody who already owns a property in the state will not be eligible to own any of these houses. You will swear to an oath. Once they find our later that you told a lie, that will be perjury, and you will forfeit the house.”
Also, he said the Citizen’s Guide, a publication of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, was meant to educate the masses on the various projects the state would deliver each year.
He noted that the telephone lines of the state government’s officials were usually published in the Citizen’s Guide to provide a platform for the people to engage the public servants.
Akabueze said, “We enjoin you to take the ownership of projects going on in your area; maybe a contractor has abandoned a project, then send a text or an email to the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure.”
According to him, in consonance with Section 121 of the 1999 Constitution, the governor is required to submit the budget proposal to the House of Assembly for enactment.
The commissioner explained, “After the House of Assembly approves the budget proposal and the governor’s assent, it becomes an appropriation law.
