The Lagos State House of Assembly said the present 10th assembly will strengthen its oversight mechanism to ensure proper implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Stephen Ogundipe, gave the assurance during an interview in Lagos on Sunday.

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on November 21 presented the 2025 appropriation bill of N3 trillion to the assembly for legislative approval.

Mr Ogundipe said that the assembly would strengthen oversight to ensure the budget works for the good of residents.

He said its standing committees would not lose their guard at ensuring they carried out effective oversight in the state’s ministries, departments and agencies.

Mr Ogundipe said, “The oversight function is to ensure checks and balances, and to also ensure the spending by the executive is in conformity with the provision of the approved budget by the House. Therefore, the Y2025 budget and even other budgets and activities will enjoy proper scrutiny and monitoring because it is part of our constitutional duty. That is why we are here to represent the interest of the people to ensure that the public enjoy the dividends of democracy through project implementation. Also, we will carry out oversight on MDAs to ensure conformity with the provisions of the approved budget by the House.”

According to him, the assembly will ensure that the 2025 budget brings hope to the people of the state once it is passed into law.

He said the Mudashiru Obasa-led House would ensure speedy passage of the budget.

He stated, “This is without compromising the principles of accountability, transparency and financial discipline. This is to mean that all things being equal, Lagos residents should expect a functional budget that would lead us through 2025.’’

(NAN)