The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the 2026 Appropriation (Amendment) Bill into law to reorder budgetary priorities and accelerate execution of key capital projects across the state.

The passage followed consideration of a letter from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu seeking the assembly’s approval to reorder priorities under the 2026 budget.

The letter, read by the clerk, Adenike Oshinowo, was committed by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, to the committee on economic planning and budget, chaired by Lukmon Olumoh, for consideration.

Presenting the committee’s report, Mr Olumoh said the current level of budget performance had made it necessary to reassess the state’s implementation strategy and adopt a more focused approach to capital investments for the remaining months of the fiscal year.

“The reordering of priorities will accelerate project execution and improve the overall performance of capital expenditure, while responding to current demands and emerging needs across the state,” he said.

Mr Olumoh also highlighted the proposed upward review of the state’s bond issuance from N150 billion to N200 billion to finance key infrastructure and development projects.

According to him, the reordering includes Phase II of the Blue Line Rail Project from Mile 2 to Trade Fair Station and the completion, furnishing, and equipping of the new Massey Street Children’s Hospital.

Others include the completion of the 280-bed General Hospital, Ojo; construction of the Ketu-Ejinrin Psychiatric Hospital; completion of the Omu Creek project and purchase of housing units.

He added that the projects also include providing drainage systems across the state; environmental, sanitation and maintenance programmes along the coastal road; re-fleeting operational vehicles for waste and traffic management; and waste management and landfill infrastructure.

Also listed are provision of security and emergency equipment and the Zero Tolerance for Potholes initiative, among others.

Contributing to the debate, Aro Moshood emphasised the importance of effective legislative oversight, noting that laws enacted by the House must be followed by proper monitoring of their implementation.

Mr Moshood urged his colleagues to discharge their oversight responsibilities diligently, stressing that the executive must comply with the provisions of the newly passed amendment law.

“Funds must be applied strictly to the approved priorities to ensure effective implementation of the amended budget,” he said.

The assembly subsequently considered and adopted the committee’s report before passing the bill.

Mr Obasa directed the clerk to forward a clean copy of the bill to Governor Sanwo-Olu for his assent.

(NAN)