The speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has pledged speedy passage of the 2024 budget of Renewed Hope of N2.246 trillion before January 1.

Mr Obasa made this pledge in a statement by his chief press secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele, in Lagos on Saturday.

He spoke during an official visit by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the ongoing three-day budget retreat for Lagos lawmakers and legislative workers in Abuja.

The retreat is titled ”Sustainability of Ongoing Reforms in Lagos State: Prospects, Opportunities and Challenges.”

Mr Obasa said the essence of the retreat for the lawmakers was to ensure the budget was passed before January 1, 2024.

“We are working on the 2024 budget, and that is why we are here. I want to assure you that we will do our best to return the approved budget to you as soon as possible.

“It is going to be a New Year present to you and the people of Lagos,” the speaker said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu presented the state’s N2.246 trillion 2024 budget to the State House of Assembly on Wednesday. It comprised a total revenue of N1.848 trillion and deficit financing of N398.28 billion.

Addressing the lawmakers during the retreat, Mr Sanwo-Olu described them as the best among their counterparts in other state assemblies.

“You see, what Lagos State is doing shows that we are leading the way for other states to copy. We show the way in legislative, executive, and judicial affairs.

“There is talk around town that we have a big budget, but I also tell them it is because we are big people in the state,” he said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said there was no animosity between the speaker and himself, saying they were two sides of the same coin.

The governor added that they were brothers and friends, and God would lead them to a level where they could take Lagos to an irreversible state.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said President Bola Tinubu was watching them because he had no other state he could call his own.

(NAN)