Lagos State has always carved a niche for itself as the nation’s Centre of Excellence in every perspective. For instance, the state has the key that could add N (Nigeria) to the BRICS to transform to BRINCS. BRICS refers to the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Today, the state is not just warming up for her golden jubilee anniversary but has presented the 2017 budget proposal of N813 billion to the state’s House of Assembly. The budget tagged: “The Golden Jubilee Budget”, coinciding with the State’s 50th anniversary, is the biggest ever for any state government in Nigeria as it reveals an increase by N150 billion from the previous budget. From the audacious budget, recurrent expenditure is expected to gulp =N=300.535 billion while capital expenditure stands at =N=512.464 billion, representing about 63% of the entire budget.
According to sectoral breakdown of the budget, N205.85 billion is for General Public Services, representing 25.32 percent of the budget, N36.43 billion for Public Order and Safety, representing 4.48 percent, while Economic Affairs receives a lion share of N295.84 billion, representing 36.39 percent. Also, the Environment got 56.31 billion naira, representing 6.93 percent; Health gets N57.29 billion, representing 7.05 percent; while education receives N92.4 billion naira, representing 11.37 percent of the budget.
While presenting the budget, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, revealed that his administration is committed to infrastructural renewal and the enhancement of the state as one of the foremost tourism and investment destinations in Africa. The statement captures the very essence of what his administration meant to achieve through the budget. From the governor’s statement at the budget presentation, it is clear that the budget is set to open up the hinterland as a result of the massive investment in rural road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance. The budget is also geared towards sports development as new stadia are to be built while also targeting youth empowerment schemes and other promising social development programmes.
One may look at the budget from the mirror of current economic situation of the country and conclude that it would be a Herculean task to fund it, but the truth is that Lagos is not waiting for Nigeria. The state has its own template and development plan. This 2017 budget proposal is one which did not, all together, come as a surprise to many people, least of all analysts of the governor’s economic policies. This is because long before the budget was conceived, the trend of development in the state and the pronouncements of the governor over time have already shown clearly that a sizable budget was in the offing in the second year of his administration.
One thing we need to quickly comprehend about the proposed golden jubilee celebration is to appreciate it from the perspectives of what it truly stands for. A proper golden Jubilee is one that ushers in golden opportunities for the populace to testify and celebrate a state that is committed to progress, justice, security and prevalence of equity in a true democratic dispensation. This, indeed, is what the state government hopes to achieve both with the 2017 budget as well as the golden jubilee celebration.
Today, one could look back and conveniently conclude with a sense of satisfaction that Lagos is working. Lagos, in the last 17 years, has really lived up to expectations as a frontline state in our nation. The structural transformations of Nigeria’s former capital city in terms of infrastructure renewal, capital and human development have been phenomenal.
As the state approaches her golden jubilee, the populace could look into the future with positive hope. With progressives in the mould of Ambode at the helm, things can only get better. In Ambode’s political lexicon, impossibility is nothing. Balancing development with economic
realities is likewise not a headache, considering the governor’s vast experience in financial management. The focus, which is a pointer to the school of thought of administration he belongs to, is scientific planning and implementation of policies and programmes that will benefit the people.
From the 2017 budget estimate, the state government has, once again, unequivocally communicated its commitment to road construction as a vehicle for accelerated socio-economic development by listing some of the road projects to embark upon in the year to include Murtala
Mohammed International Airport Road from Oshodi, Agric-Isawo-Owotu-Arepo Road in Ikorodu, Igbe-Igbogbo Phase II- Bola Tinubu Way in Ikorodu, Ijegun Imore Phase II Amuwo in Ojo axis, Oke-Oso-Araga-Poka in Epe, Epe-Poka-Mojoda in the Epe axis and the completion of the Abule-Egba, Ajah and Pen Cinema flyovers. Others include, Oke Oso-Itoikin dualisation project in the Epe axis, Okokomaiko-Seme road project in Badagry axis and Ikorodu-Agbowa-Itoikin-Ijebu Ode road project in Ikorodu axis, just as he disclosed that the Phase II of the 114 Local Government roads project, as well as the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge, would also kick off in 2017.
In addition to other ingenious means of financing projects which the State is noted for, the governor was definite in saying that within the course of the budget implementation, his administration would enter into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to execute some of the road projects. Still on source of finance, regarding the revenue expected from federal allocation, the governor said a conservative approach was taken owing to the falling oil prices, which according to him, was about $41.98per barrel at the time of financing the budget. But he, however, expressed optimism that the state would get an increase in federal allocation through the 13 percent derivation from oil and gas beginning from 2017.
The state government has also chosen to fully implement the Medical Health Insurance Scheme and deploy e-Health/ e-insurance Health Service solutions, and complete the on-going upgrading and extension work in the state General Hospitals and Ayinke House in Ikeja. The governor also promised to commence on Medical Park in the 2017 fiscal year as a sign of his belief that the health of all citizens deserves to be taken care by the government, regardless of their financial or social status.
From all indications, Lagosians are in for a prosperous 2017, as the Ambode administration is determined to sustain the trail-blazing tempo that the state government has become synonymous with, across the country.
Finally, as this is an all-inclusive government, the successful implementation of this budget depends on the sustained and commitment of the government plus the diligence of the people to fulfil all their civic obligations to the state. It is only when this is done, that the maxim: ‘Itesiwaju Ipinle eko loje gbogbo wa logun’ (Lagos Progress is paramount) can be truly realized.
•Musbau is of Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.
