Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on
Thursday said the state generated a total of
N503.7billion revenue in 2017 despite the harsh
economic climate in the country.
Ambode spoke at the state’s first quarter 2018
Town Hall Meeting in Ikeja.
The governor said he would vigorously pursue all
infrastructure projects and remain focused to the
task of building a virile Lagos.
“Despite the harsh economy, our state budget
performed at 82 per cent.
“Total revenue generated was N503.7bn
representing a performance of 78 per cent; total
recurrent expenditure was N281.33bn representing
a performance of 92 per cent, while total capital
expenditure was N387.60bn or 76 per cent
performance,” the governor said.
Ambode said the state was entering into the New
Year with confidence of being on a solid
prosperity footing, with interesting prospects for
all Lagosians.
He said it was gratifying that the support of the
people enabled government to achieve a lot and
commence the transformation of the landscape of
the state.
Ambode listed some of the key projects delivered
last year to include the new Tafawa Balewa
Square Bus Terminal, new Ojota Pedestrian
Bridge, Aboru-Abesan Link Bridge and adjoining
inner roads.
He cited others as Ojodu Berger Slip Road and
Pedestrian Bridge; Jubilee Bridges in Ajah and
Abule Egba; Freedom and Admiralty Road in
Lekki; new Lands Registry; newly upgraded
Jubilee Chalet in Epe, among others.
Giving a report of activities of his administration
in the last quarter, Ambode said the state
government commissioned the first state-owned
DNA Forensic Centre.
He said in the coming weeks, he would sign a
contract to upgrade the facility to offer toxicology
services.
“In fulfilment of our promise to our students in
tertiary institutions across the state, this
administration disbursed a total sum of
N635.5million to 8,419 students across the state.
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“Our government acquired healthcare equipment
worth N2.5 billion.
“The equipment will strengthen the capacity of
our health facilities to render improved health
services and also facilitate smooth take-off of the
Lagos State Health Scheme, which is designed to
enable residents enjoy unfettered access to
qualitative healthcare,’’ he said.
Giving an outlook on 2018, Ambode promised that
he would sustain the momentum of development
and vigorously pursue all ongoing projects, with
special focus on health and education.
In the 2018 Appropriation Bill of N1.046 trillion
awaiting approval of the House of Assembly, the
state government has earmarked N92.676 billion
for health, representing 8.86 per cent.
The state also earmarked N126.302 billion for
education, representing 12.07 per cent of the
budget.
Ambode assured the residents that the state
government, in the coming weeks, would pay
compensation to all those whose structures gave
way for construction of the 1.4 kilometre Pen
Cinema Flyover/Bridge.
He said the government would also pay
compensation to those affected in Igbogbo,
Ikorodu, Owutu and other areas where
construction activities were ongoing.
The governor, who entertained questions from
residents, ordered the Public Works Corporation to
immediately move in to fix bad roads in Computer
Village, Abesan Estate, Oriade, Abule-Egba, among
other areas.
Ambode also revealed that the Market
Development Board would be inaugurated in
coming weeks.
He expressed optimism that when functional, the
board would address issues of market relocation
for developmental projects, just as he said that
the Onikan Stadium would be ready in January
2019.
Ambode urged all taxpayers to be alive to their
responsibility of fulfilling their obligations to the
state, saying regular payment of taxes remains
the major source of funding infrastructures.
He assured the people that the government, on its
part, would judiciously utilise the taxes to make
life comfortable for the people.
NAN
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