Lagosians were taken by surprise on November 29, 2016, when Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode announced his mind-boggling N813BN 2017 budget for the state – the largest budget ever proposed by a single state in Nigeria’s history.
The budget tagged as ‘The Golden Jubilee Budget’ – coinciding with Lagos state’s 50th anniversary – is over 150billion Naira more than that of 2016 and has been distributed equitably across several sectors including Education, Health and – of course – Transport, with Health sector getting the ‘Lion share.’
However grandiose the budget might appear, it leaves in mind a question of whether in Ambode’s pursuit to urbanize Lagos state, pressing issues on the grassroots level will receive any attention.
Shortly after Ambode proposed the budget to the Lagos House of Assembly, Honorable Sanai O. Agunbiade, representative for Ikorodu constituency, carved out from the budget the provision made specifically for the people Ikorodu.
In a document titled ‘Highlights of Ikorodu’s gains in the 2017 budget as presented by Gov. Ambode,’ he listed six (6) communal projects the budget proposes to embark on in Ikorodu.
- Agric-Isawo-Owotu-Arepo Road in Ikorodu
- Igbe-Igbogbo Phase II- Bola Tinubu Way in Ikorodu.
- Ikorodu-Agbowa-Itoikin-Ijebu Ode Road Project in Ikorodu axis
- 114 Local Government Roads project
- The Fourth Mainland Bridge in 2017
- Art theatre in Ikorodu with a 400-seater hall
Although Ambode laid emphasis on projects in the Health sector saying it will receive the ‘lion share’ of the budget, no project in that regard has been made known.
More importantly, Hon. Agunbiade also promised his constituents that the much awaited Ikorodu Stadium would be ‘physically and financially ignited in year 2017.’
Depending on how you look at the Golden Jubilee Budget, Ambode’s effort is either history in the making – or a disaster waiting to happen.
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