Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday signed the N1.768 trillion Lagos “Budget of Continuity” into law, vowing to consolidate his administration’s development strides. 

The governor said the budget would focus on completing ongoing capital projects, expand intervention programmes and intensify social support to the citizens.

The budget was assented to at a short ceremony held at the Governor’s Office in Alausa.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the spendings would further demonstrate his determination to scale up good governance and quality service to the citizens through the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of his administration. 

He stressed that the budget would propel the State to higher level of fiscal growth and social development.

The 2023 Appropriation Bill has a capital expenditure of N1.019 trillion, representing 58 per cent of the 2023 budget.

The recurrent expenditure, representing 42 per cent, is N748 billion, which includes personnel cost, overhead and debt services.

The governor said the implementation of the budget would see to completion of various ongoing capital projects, including the final construction phase of the 37-kilometre Lagos Red Rail Line from Agbado to Ebute Metta. 

He added that the funding for the second phase of the Blue Line from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko had equally been approved in the budget, stressing that the Ojo General Hospital project and mental health facility in Ketu-Ereyun being undertaken by the State government would race to completion.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the contractors handling various roads and schools projects in Badagry, Amuwo Odofin, Ikorodu and Eti Osa could now have access to funds to deliver the projects.

He said: “I’m delighted to assent to the 2023 Appropriation Bill transmitted to me after it was passed by the House of Assembly.

“The budget went through a rigorous review and passed through all the relevant statutory channels required before we now have a live document that can be implemented.

“This is a budget that speaks to the aspirations and the needs of Lagosians.

“The budget is audacious and its size is a reflection of the confidence our citizens repose in us.

“It is also a significant improvement in the discharge of the citizens’ civic responsibility in the areas of taxes and levies that are due to the Government.

“I give assurance of our commitment to prudent implementation and improvement in service delivery that will bring about more dividends of good governance.”

Mr Sanwo-Olu thanked the leaders and members of the House of Assembly for timely consideration and independent ratification assignment done on the document.

Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Sam Egube, said that the budgetary items reflected the wishes of the residents across the State’s five traditional divisions.

House Appropriation Committee chairman, Gbolahan Yishau, thanked the governor for bringing an “implementable document”, adding that the document was reviewed before the final draft was approved.