Lagos 2018 budget is realistic, it will impact positively on people’s lives - Lawmaker

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- The Chief Whip of Lagos state House of Assembly, Rotimi Abiru has said that the 2018 budget is realistic

- Governor Akinwunmi Ambode recently presented N1.046 trillion budget proposal for 2018

- Abiru said that about 65 percent of the budget was targeted at capital expenditure

The Chief Whip of Lagos state House of Assembly, Rotimi Abiru representing Shomolu constituency II has said that the 2018 budget recently presented to the House by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is realistic.

In an interview with NAIJ.com, Abiru said that the good thing to note from the budget is that about 65 percent of the budget was targeted at capital expenditure.

The lawmaker emphasised that the budget would impact on the lives of people of the state, adding that the government seeks to improve housing and power through the budget.

He said: “The budget is tagged budget of progress and development and part of what the budget seeks to do is to complete the on-going projects. The very good thing to note from this budget is that about 65 percent of the budget is targeted at capital expenditure.

“What this connotes is that part of the budget will be used for infrastructural development for the benefit of the people of the state.

“Also, the areas of government’s focus are where the funds to finance the budget could be enhanced and one of such areas is the area of land use charge. Apart from that, the government is looking at how to enhance the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state.

“The state is also looking at budget financing and this will be for the developmental project. The government seeks to improve housing, the issue of power is there and these are on the list of priority of the governor. If there is steady power supply, the economy can run for 24 hours and it will boost the economy of Lagos.

The lawmaker urged Nigerians to be hopeful in the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government and continue to support its policies in order to take the country to the promised land.

He said: "I want to thank Nigerians for the support they have given our party, All Progressives Congress (APC) so far and to appeal to them to be patient and continue to endure because I understand that there is a level of hardship in the country.

"It is most unfortunate that the issue of fuel scarcity is roaring its ugly head again but I want to appeal to Nigerians to be more patient and be hopeful in Mr. President and his government. To build is not easy but to destroy does.

"Gradually, we are coming out of recession after years of misrule by the PDP. I want appeal to Nigerians not to forget the experiences of the past in the hands of mediocre. Yes, it has not been rosy with our government but we still need support of Nigerians."

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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that the Lagos state House of Assembly on Monday, December 18, set up a seven-man committee to scrutinise Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s N1.046 trillion budget proposal for 2018.

Ambode's second term is shaking, says Lagos woman - on NAIJ.com TV