[size=28pt]Infrastructural challenges to top projections for Lagos 2011 budget [/size]


The Lagos State Government on Friday said infrastructural challenges would gulp a sizeable portion of its 2011 budget.


The state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Ben Akabueze, made the disclosure at a consultative forum on the review of the 2010 budget performance and 2011 fiscal strategy.

He explained that 35 per cent of the budget for 2011 would be allocated to economic affairs, because of its infrastructural component, adding that health and education were gradually being elevated to international standard.

Akabueze further stressed that the projected expenditure for the 2011 budget was expected to complete all ongoing projects, while greater emphasis would be placed on the maintenance of public assets, to foster a robust enabling environment for investment through Public Private Partnership.

He said the essence of the forum was to further entrench the government's belief in participatory governance, listing other means to include the Lagos Economic Summit (Ehingbeti), publishing of abridged and full budget on the state's website and quarterly budget appraisal.

On the focus of the 2011 budget, Akabueze also listed the mitigation of global warming through greening, beautification programmes and effective waste management as areas of attention.

He listed other areas of attention in the budget to include consolidation of the state weather agency, forensic laboratory, sustenance of law and order through improvement in crime prevention and justice administration capacities, sustenance of free health care and education programmes, and implementation of the multi-modal and integrated mass transit programme.

The commissioner added that the state government would ensure that the 2011 budget deficit did not exceed two per cent of the GDP, adding that at least two-thirds of the total capital investment fund would be directed at government's priority areas.

Some of the stakeholders, who spoke at the forum advocated the need for the government to place special priority on education, especially on vocational centres for the physically challenged.

They also underscored the need for the provision of free school uniforms for students in public schools, consultations with market leaders on revenue collection and a curb on the excesses of local government authorities.


http://odili.net/news/source/2010/aug/9/812.html

Oga Ben, keep up the great job

Ti oju o ba ti ehingbeti, oju o ni ti ilu eko.

Eko o ni baje lai lai,

Carry go

I'm very happy that Ben Akabueze, a Lagosian of Igbo Origin is the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in Lagos State. This shows that democracy in Lagos State is evolving. Ethnic bias and nepotism should be continually shunned in the appointment of state commissioners and Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria. Fashola has done well. However, I don't support the view that the Lagos State Government should provide uniforms for Students of Public Schools Let parents sort the provision of school uniforms out for their wards. The State Government should concentrate on subsidizing fees, renovating schools, school libraries, sporting facilities and restructuring the syllabus of our Primary and Secondary Schools. Cheers.


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Redman44:

I'm very happy that Ben Akabueze, a Lagosian of Igbo Origin is the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in Lagos State. This shows that democracy in Lagos State is evolving. Ethnic bias and nepotism should be continually shunned in the appointment of state commissioners and Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria. Fashola has done well. However, I don't support the view that the Lagos State Government should provide uniforms for Students of Public Schools Let parents sort the provision of school uniforms out for their wards. The State Government should concentrate on subsidizing fees, renovating schools, school libraries, sporting facilities and restructuring the syllabus of our Primary and Secondary Schools. Cheers.


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yet some people say yorubas are not accommodating. eko o ni baje lai lai

Ride on fash and his peeps,lagos should have been nicknamed the pacesetting state.

Fashola carry on, you are really a leader to be emulated. Second term for you our man.

Focus on good roads to residential areas, water supply and electricity. Include job creation as well. Sickness in Lagos is not more than malaria and typhoid. Sick people can take care of themselves in chemists.

Thank you for the news,