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  • Lagos Assembly passes N1.046tn budget for 2018

    Lagos Assembly passes N1.046tn budget for 2018

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the state’s 2018 appropriation bill of N1,046tn into law.

    The passage followed the adoption of the report and recommendations of the House Adhoc Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, headed by Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu.

    The house approved N347. 039bn as the total recurrent expenditure from the consolidated revenue fund.

    It also approved N699. 082bn as the total capital expenditure from the development revenue fund for the year ending Dec. 31, 2018.

    Yishawu, while presenting the committee’s report, said that efforts should be made to reduce the total overhead cost of the state.

    The lawmakers, who took turns to commend the nine-man ad hoc committee for a job well done, however, called for quick consideration of the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) scheme.

    Hon. Setonji David, the Acting Chairman, House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development said: “there are so many arrangements going on in PPP that the house does not know about’’.

    The Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Muyiwa Jimoh, said that PPP should be on its own and not operate under any ministry.

    The Speaker of the House, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, also commended Yishawu and members of the committee for thorough scrutiny of the budget within a short time frame.

    The House passed the bill after Obasa conducted a voice vote on each of the sectoral allocations for ministries, departments and agencies.

    Obasa directed the Acting Clerk of the House, Mr Azeez Sanni, to send a copy of the bill to Gov. Akinwnmi Ambode for his assent.

    The house adjourned its plenary until Feb. 1

    Meanwhile, Ambode had on Dec. 11, 2017 presented the proposed “Budget of Progress and Development’’ to the assembly.

    On Dec.18, the house set up a nine-man committee to scrutinise the budget proposal of N1.046tn.

    The budget size, which represents a 28.67 per cent increase over the 2017 budget of N812bn, is the highest in the history of the state.

  • Lagos Assembly to pass 2018 budget in January

    The Lagos State House of Assembly is to pass the state’s 2018 Budget Bill before the end of January.

    The Acting Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Publicity, Mr Tunde Braimoh, gave the assurance in an interview in Lagos on Monday.

    “We are working round the clock; we have denied ourselves holidays, even weekends, to see that we bring to bear our impact on the budget for quick passage.

    “We are, however, embarking on careful scrutiny, consideration, repositioning and re-aligning of the budget where necessary.

    “We want to see that we consider every kobo in the budget for the benefit of Lagos residents.

    “We are going to be assiduous, meticulous and circumspect to ensure that the budget is adapted for the betterment of Lagosians,’’ he said.

    The lawmaker also said that the assembly would break new grounds in 2018 to bring more dividends of democracy to Lagos residents.

    He said that the House would show greater understanding with the execute arm to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

    Reports say that the House had on Dec.18 set up a seven-man committee to scrutinize the state’s N1.046 trillion budget proposal.

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode presented the proposed `Budget of Progress and Development’ to the Assembly on December 11.

    The budget size, which represents a 28.67 per cent increase over the state’s 2017 Budget of N812 billion, had a capital expenditure of N699 billion and a recurrent expenditure of N347billion.

     

     

  • UPDATE: As predicted, Ambode presents N1.046trn 2018 budget proposal to Lagos Assembly

    As predicted by TheNewsGuru, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday presented a N1.046 trillion 2018 budget proposal to the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    Following the trends of the State’s previous year’s budgets, TheNewsGuru predicted Governor Ambode will most likely present a 2018 budget towering more than N1 trillion.

    On Monday, TheNewsGuru reports the State’s Governor presented a budget of One Trillion, Forty-six Billion, One Hundred and Twenty-one Million, One Hundred and Eighty-one Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty naira (N1,046,121) to the State House of Assembly.

    The Lagos State Governor presented the budget proposal to the House with a pledge that his administration will make every effort to complete all ongoing projects as well as initiate new ones to consolidate on the development recorded in the last 30 months.

    Governor Ambode, who christened the 2018 Budget as “Budget of Progress and Development”, said it would be used to consolidate on the achievements recorded in infrastructure, education, transportation/traffic management, security and health sectors.

    Lagos state 2018 Budget outline

    Outlining the key components of the budget, Governor Ambode said capital expenditure would gulp N699.082billion while N347.039billion would be dedicated to recurrent expenditure, representing a Capital/Recurrent ratio of 67 percent to 33 percent and a 28.67 percent increase over Y2017 budget.

    Giving a sectoral breakdown at a press briefing in Alausa, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade said General Public Services got N171,623bn, representing 16.41 percent; Public Order and Safety, N46.612bn, representing 4.46; Economic Affairs, N473,866bn, 45.30 percent; Environmental Protection, N54,582bn, representing 5.22percent while Housing and Community Amenities got N59,904bn, representing 5.73 percent.

    Ashade also told journalists that Health sector got N92.676billion, representing 8.86percent; Recreation, Culture and Religion got N12.511billion, representing 1.20 percent; Education got N126.302billion representing 12.07percent, while Social Protection got N8.042billion representing 0.77percent.

    Governor Ambode said that despite the modest achievements recorded in 2017, there was still much work ahead, assuring that Government would not relent in its efforts to give Lagosians the best by way of continuous and efficient service delivery.

    “Lagos has always been a trailblazer and we must consolidate on the economic gains made so far by initiating people-friendly programmes and projects that will attract more economic improvement in Y2018.

    “It is our resolve in Y2018 to strive and complete all on-going projects in order to meet their specified completion period and embark on new strategic projects.

    We intend to improve on our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the face of the dwindling accruable revenue allocation from the Federal Government, sustain our vision on wealth creation and poverty alleviation,” Governor Ambode said.

    Infrastructural development/Projects

    The Governor also listed key projects captured in the 2018 Budget to include the Agege Pen Cinema flyover; alternative routes through Oke-Ira in Eti-Osa to Epe-Lekki Expressway; the 8km regional road to serve as alternative route to connect Victoria Garden City (VGC) with Freedom Road in Lekki Phase I; completion of the on-going reconstruction of Oshodi International Airport Road into a 10-lane road and the BRT Lane from Oshodi to Abule-Egba.

    On infrastructural renewal, Governor Ambode said his administration remains committed to sustaining the tempo of continuous construction, rehabilitation, upgrading and maintenance of network of roads across the State including those within the boundary areas of Lagos and Ogun States and that the bus reform initiative would be consolidated with the introduction of high and medium capacity buses, construction and completion of bus depots at Oshodi, Anthony, Yaba and many others.

    He also said the movement of Mile 12 market to Imota had reached an advanced stage and would be completed in good time to pave way for relocation next year, while the 181 Local Government Roads will be commenced as contractors will be mobilized immediately, as well as continuous gridlock resolution, junction improvement, construction of more laybys and advancement of signalization that will improve traffic congestion especially along the Lekki-Epe corridor.

    On Housing, Governor Ambode said that all on-going projects especially those at Gbagada, Igbogbo, Iponri, Igando, Omole Phase I, Sangotedo and Ajara-Badagry would be completed for delivery under the Rent-to-Own policy.

    Job creation/human capital building

    In the area of job creation, Governor Ambode said the Government would construct an ICT Focus Incubator Centre in Yaba, commence the development of Imota and Igbonla Light Industrial Park as well as the provision of additional small scale industrial estate at Shala, while the State Employment Trust Fund will disburse more funds to Lagosians to support business and stimulate the economy.

    He said the Budget would also focus on mandatory capacity building for civil servants, all teachers in public secondary/primary schools, officers in the health service sector and women and youth empowerment alongside Medium and Small/Micro Size Entrepreneurs (MSMSE’s).

    Power generation

    Governor Ambode assured that his administration will vigorously pursue its planned direct intervention in the power value chain towards generating 3,000MW Embedded Power Programme within a three-year plan to achieving 24/7 power supply for the State, stressing that the challenge of inadequate power supply must be resolved for the economy to perform optimally.

    Entertainment, Sports, and tourism

    He said within the 2018 fiscal year, the Government would continue to rekindle its efforts in the area of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture as well as embark on some major projects that would ensure that the State emerges as the hub for tourism, sports and entertainment.

    He listed some of the projects to include completion of the five new Art Theatres; establish a Heritage Centre at the former Federal Presidential State House recently handed over to the State Government; build a world class museum between the former Presidential Lodge and the State House, Marina; fast-track construction of the proposed four new stadia in Igbogbo, Epe, Badagry and Ajeromi Ifelodun (Ajegunle) and complete the on-going Epe and Badagry Marina projects.

     

    While acknowledging the cooperation and support received from Lagosians, members of the Business Community, Professional Bodies, Non-governmental Organizations and the State Civil Servants in years past, the Governor noted that the modest achievements by his administration within a short period couldn’t have been possible without residents who have been paying their taxes willingly and faithfully.

    Besides, Governor Ambode urged residents to embrace the Public Utility Levy as the Cleaner Lagos Initiative aimed at ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment would commence in 2018.

    Governor Ambode also commended members of the House of Assembly for their selfless service and support, saying that they have proven themselves to be dynamic and robust lawmakers and partners in progress.

     

    Receiving the budget, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa commended Governor Ambode for faithfully executing the year 2017 budget, saying the positive impact of such had been felt across the State with various projects such as the Abule Egba, Ajah and Pen Cinema Flyovers, among other numerous projects in various sectors.

    Obasa, who specifically lauded the fact that the 2018 budget estimate had provision for continuous infrastructural development in various sectors such as transport, security, environment, housing, health and capacity building for all public servants including teachers and health workers, however assured that the House would scrutinize it and ensure that the budget delivered on its promises to stimulate the economy of the State by focusing on infrastructure development, delivering inclusive growth and prioritizing the welfare of all Lagosians.

    The event was attended by dignitaries in the State including members of the State Executive Council led by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, former Speakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly, members of the National Assembly from Lagos State, former Deputy Governors of the State, party chieftains, traditional rulers, religious leaders, among others.

     

  • Lagos Assembly’s amendment of electoral laws 3 days to LG elections may brew violence – TMG

    Lagos Assembly’s amendment of electoral laws 3 days to LG elections may brew violence – TMG

    Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, has said the decision of the Lagos State House of Assembly to amend and pass sensitive portions of the electoral laws barely three days to the local government elections may brew violence in some parts of the state.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Abiola Akiyode–Afolabi, Chairperson and Sulaimon Arigbagbu, South West Coordinator, TMG on Thursday.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC had fixed Saturday, July 22 for the elections.

    The statement reads in part: “We are also concerned about the speed with which the Lagos State House of Assembly passed an amendment to the Lagos Electoral Law regulating the conduct of election to allow for the substitution of a party candidate before the elections.

    “The new bill allows a political party to withdraw and substitute candidate not later than three (3) days to LASIEC verification. It also states that any candidate can withdraw from contesting not later than three (3) days to the election by personally taking a letter of withdrawal to the State Secretary of the party involved who must also personally take same to LASIEC not later than 12noon, three (3) days to the election.

    “TMG is worried about the implications and dangers such amendment portends on the credibility of the Saturday, 22nd Lagos State Local Government Area (LGA) Council elections as scheduled by LASIEC. Conduct of credible, free, fair and legitimate elections cannot be achieved in this kind of arrangement with an amendment taken place just three days to the election.

    “Furthermore, we are also apprehensive of the implications of the multiplicity of court cases relating to party candidatures giving the fact that the election is just three days away. Such conflicting decisions could cast aspersion on the credibility and legitimacy of the elections.

    “We also express displeasure over the latest pronouncement by the authorities of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LAISEC) regarding its planned accreditation plan and observer’s deployment for the Saturday Local Government Election in Lagos State.

    “Our concern is further heightened by the refusal by LASIEC to deploy Card Reader for the conduct of this coming elections. This is an anti-climax to the widely acknowledged improvement to our Electoral System during the 2015 General Elections.

    “As a flagship organization on election and governance monitoring in Nigeria, TMG is seriously concerned about the plethora of allegations trailing the preparations for the election and the lopsided observer’s deployment plan adopted by LASIEC. TMG urges the commission to reconsider its decision on these issues.

    “We call on LASIEC to ensure highest standard in the conduct and administration of the coming Lagos LG/LCDAs elections, by carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with law, and without fear or favour. We hope that LASIEC is committed to an open, genuine, free and appropriate process that is devoid of any suspicion misgiving in the process leading to the election”.

  • Lagos Assembly member, Kazeem Alimi dies at 50

    A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Kazeem Ademola Alimi, is dead.

    The lawmaker, who represented Eti Osa Constituency I, died after a brief illness yesterday, two weeks after his 50th birthday.

    A statement by Musbau Razak, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, said the late lawmaker died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

    A two-time lawmaker, Alimi was the chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    He is survived by a wife and children.

  • Flood: Lagos Assembly summons Commissioner for environment

    Flood: Lagos Assembly summons Commissioner for environment

    Sequel to the massive flood that affected the entire Lagos metropolis on Saturday, the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) on Monday summoned the Commissioner for Environment in state, Mr Babatunde Adejare, to appear before it on Tuesday to explain what the government is during to prevent a recurrence especially now that the raining season is fully here.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the flood affected major parts of the state, especially Lekki, Victoria Island, Ajah, Ikoyi and Lagos Island, which experts attributed to a torrential rainfall.

    The House, however, said that it had become necessary for the commissioner and his team to brief the House on efforts the ministry was making towards addressing the problem.

    The resolution followed a motion moved by Mr Gbolahan Yishawu, the Chairman House Committee on Waterfronts Infrastructures.

    The motion, which was against flooding in the state, was co-sponsored by 10 other lawmakers.

    Yishawu said: “increase in perennial rainfall has wreaked havocs in many states, particularly in Lagos.

    “The downpour and thunderstorms over the weeks have left hundreds homeless with massive loss of business, incomes.

    “It has also caused damage to properties and loss of lives. Major roads have been flooded, especially around Ajah, Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikoyi areas of the state.’’

    According to him, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has linked the increase in the volume of rainfall and rising sea levels to global climate change which resulted in incessant flooding.

    Yishawu lamented over flagrant disregard to environmental and physical planning laws and guidelines in the state.

    “Many residents have chosen to build illegal structures on drains and water ways, with construction and sand filling works around the Lagoon and waterfront in the state.

    “All these have compounded effects of the rainfall,’’ he added.

    The lawmaker said that the illegal construction, improper disposal of solid waste in canals/gutters and reclamation of wetlands if not urgently checked would continue to cause flooding.

    “We are aware of the efforts of the state government in abating flooding within the state which includes clearing of drains, expansion and rehabilitation of existing collectors and canals to allow for free flow of water.

    “The state government as well has carried out several sensitization of members of the public on the dangers of dumping refuse into canal and illegal construction in drainage paths,’’ he said.

    The lawmakers took turns to support the motion.

    The Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who also expressed concern, directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Azeez Sanni, to write and invite the commissioner and his team.

    The House adjourned its plenary until July 11.

     

     

    NAN

     

  • Lagos Assembly embarks on mid-term review of 2017 budget

    Lagos Assembly embarks on mid-term review of 2017 budget

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday moved to assess the mid-term performance of the state’s 2017 budget to ascertain how Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state were faring.

    The House decided to take the step after the Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Rotimi Olowo, harped on the need for such review.

    According to Olowo, reviewing the budget performance in the last six months will help give direction for the 2018 budget estimates, which he noted, could hit the N1trillion mark.

    “The exercise will help scrutinise how the MDAs are doing in terms of the revenue generated as well as their level of compliance with their capital and recurrent expenditure,” he said.

    Other lawmakers took turns to support the call for the mid-term review of the state’s budget.

    The Majority Leader, Mr Sanai Agunbiade, said that the exercise, when carried out, would help reveal whether the current budget estimates were working according to the House’s expectation.

    Agunbiade added that the move would also help the lawmakers to serve members of the public better.

    According to him, the outcome of the exercise will be made public to make taxpayers know how their taxes have been put into use in the past six months.

    Also speaking, Mr Jude Idimogu, representing Oshodi Isolo Constituency II, described the step as apt and important.

    Idimogu said that the review would help in scrutinising the activities of all the ministries, including those he deemed not to have really measured up to what was expected of them.

    The lawmaker expressed reservation at the performance of the agencies in charge of road maintenance in the state.

    He said said that many roads in the state had become unusable since the commencement of the rainy season.

    The Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who also gave the call his nod, said that review of budgets should not be made an annual thing only.

    Obasa said that emphasis should also be placed on periodic review of budgets so that any perceived loophole could be promptly plugged.

    “This periodic review will help the parliament in ascertaining how the executive is performing as far as the 2017 budget estimates are concerned.

    “This review will also help in giving direction to the 2018 budget estimates.

    “Not only will it help us in knowing the performance of MDAs, it will also help us to have an insight into their needs and what they might be lacking.

    “For example it will help us to know how much furniture public schools in the state need, or what the hospitals need,” said Obasa.

    He, therefore, gave the committee four weeks to work on the review and report to the House.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Assembly, on Jan. 3, passed the state’s 2017 Appropriation bill of N812.998 billion, which Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode signed into law.

    The House adjourned its plenary session until Tuesday.

     

     

    NAN

     

  • Lagos Assembly to obliterate Minority Leader, Whip titles

    Lagos Assembly to obliterate Minority Leader, Whip titles

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday said that circumstances had obviated the need for the offices of Minority Leader and Minority Whip in the House.

    The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Publicity and Security, Mr Tunde Braimoh, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that six out of the eight lawmakers elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the House had, on Feb. 16, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The defectors, including the two former holders of the offices, claimed they left the PDP because of the crisis in the party and attendant leadership tussle.

    With their defection, the PDP is left with two lawmakers – Mr Victor Akande (Ojo I) and Mr Dipo Olorunrinu (Amunwo Odofin I) – in the 40-member House.

    Braimoh said: “Now, we talk of two members in a minority in an assembly, and leadership is not just for appellation or title; it is for function, accomplishment and effect.

    “It is not something we just award, it is something that is given and we expect something in return and some performance. We expect some kind of work and service, and here we just talk about two people.

    “Now, if we have two opposition members in the 40-member Assembly and we say one is the minority leader, leading who? And at the same time, we say another is the minority whip, whipping who?

    “The offices have been extinguished because they cannot be seen to be desired, they cannot be seen to function.

    “The office will be non-effectual. The offices will not have the morality. We can’t award office just because we want people to feel important.”

    The lawmaker said that the step was not politically motivated but created by the circumstances as only two legislators were in minority and the offices were two also.

    “The offices have been obviated by circumstances in which we find ourselves; they are just two and the offices are two. It will not augur well.

    “The two members cannot be bosses over themselves; if we have that, the system has collapsed,” he said.

    Braimoh said that the Assembly made it clear when six of the eight PDP lawmakers defected to APC in February that the offices had become unnecessary.

    According to him, the 1999 Constitution guarantees only the offices of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, while other offices are the creation of the assembly.

    “The only offices recognised by the Constitution are those of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker; the rest are based on the whims and caprices or organisational convenience and comfort of any assembly.

    “It is not as if it is compulsory that those offices should exist; they are created by our rules, and where the rules become superfluous, they become obviated.

    “I am not saying the minority members are not important; they are, but the truth of the matter is that the offices of the minority leader and the minority whip have become obviated,” the lawmaker said.

    Mr Moshood Salvador, Lagos State Chairman of PDP, had earlier warned the house to be guided in its thinking on the matter and avoid taking a “military’’ approach.

    “ For God’s sake, two is a number and one is a number,’’ he saif soon after the defection of the PDP members, insisting that the party members would have their places as Minority Leader and Minority Whip.

    Meanwhile, information available on the site lagoshouseofassembly.gov.ng indicates: “The minority leader is not required if all honourable members are from the same party’’.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls in the fifth Assembly in Lagos State in 2003, the only PDP member in the 40-member House, Mr Julius Ajose, who was representing Badagry II, was named the Minority Leader.

  • Rainy season: Vacate flood-prone areas now, Lagos Assembly warns residents

    Rainy season: Vacate flood-prone areas now, Lagos Assembly warns residents

     

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has warned residents living in flood-prone parts of the state to seek alternative accommodation before the rain finally starts to prevent unnecessary loss of lives and properties.

    The Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Setonji David, gave the advice on Sunday in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.


    David said that the state government would not want to lose any resident to flooding.

    The lawmaker called for respect for government regulations on physical planning.

    He said: “Residents should consider their safety and the safety of others when they are building.

    “It is not safe to build without approval. Building on water-logged areas is suicidal; building on waterways or close to a canal is bad. We should make safety a priority.

    “We are appealing to all residents to build according to plans and obey the regulations on physical planning.’’

    David explained further that after securing an approval, an intending plot developer must consult an expert in building.

    “Some houses have drains around them which have been blocked with refuse; this is also a suicidal as it may lead to a disaster as rains become heavy.

    “Some people sweep in their houses and throw refuse into the drains and block them. When there is a serious downpour, it can be dangerous.”

    The lawmaker commended the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) for stepping up monitoring of building to ensure standards and prevent disasters.

    He decried refusal of some landlords and tenants to a government order to vacate distressed houses marked for demolition.

    The legislator warned that the government would punish residents flouting its regulations on physical planning.

    The chairman said that many lost lives and property would been saved if residents conformed to building regulations.

     

  • Lagos Assembly passes 2017 N812bn Appropriation Bill

    Lagos Assembly passes 2017 N812bn Appropriation Bill

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the state’s 2017 Appropriation bill of N812.998 billion.

    The passage followed the adoption of the report and recommendations of the House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, headed by Mr Rotimi Olowo.

    The House approved the sum of N305.182 billion as total recurrent expenditure and N507.816 billion as the total capital expenditure for the year ending Dec. 31, 2017.

    Olowo, while presenting the committee report, said that the state was able to achieve 71 per cent budget performance in 2016 in spite of the economic recession in the country.

    The lawmaker said that the state would embark on progressive taxation which would bring more people into the tax net and make the rich pay more.

    As part of the committee recommendations, the lawmaker said there was a need to comply with the Appropriation (Amendment) (Re-ordering) Law, 2016 to release funds to relevant MDAs.

    The lawmaker added that there was a need for the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget to carry out a budget review of the 2015-2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) of MDAs before allocating envelopes for Y2018 proposed budget estimate.

    He said that this would guide against duplication of expenditure (Capital and Recurrent) by MDAs.

    Among the highlights of the approved 2017 budget is the increase in the Capital Expenditure of Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission from N2.5 billion to N3 billion to cater for election matters.

    On the other hand, overhead for Security/Emergency Interventions was reduced from N500 million to N400 million.

    Among other things, N1 billion was allocated as capital expenditure for the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter governmental Relations.

    The Assembly approved the sum of N20.43 billion for LAMATA as capital expenditure and N2 billion for Ferry Services.

    Similarly, the capital vote head for Road Maintenance rose from N790.10 million to N1.79 billion.

    However, overhead cost of Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission was increased from N210 million to N252 million.

    The House also approved N10 billion for the State Infrastructure Intervention Fund, while it approved N159.55 million for state Electricity Board.

    The Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, commended Olowo and members of the committee for its thorough scrutiny of the budget within a short time frame.

    Obasa directed the Acting Clerk, Mr Azeez Sanni to send a clean copy of the bill to Governor Akinwnmi Ambode for his assent.

    The House adjourned its plenary till Jan. 5.

    Recall that Ambode had, on Nov. 29, 2016, presented the Appropriation Bill to the lawmakers for approval.

    The House had, on Dec. 1, 2016, after receiving the budget, directed all its standing committees to invite all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to defend their budgets.