Politics

Lagos governor Sanwo-Olu presents N1.2trn budget for 2021

Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 2:15 PM by Aanu Adegun Khadijah Thabit

- The 2021 budget for Lagos state is estimated at N1,155,022,413,005

- The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent protest that led to wanton destruction of properties were put into consideration

- Meanwhile, the governor has called for innovative ways of keeping governance costs at a minimum

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Ahead of year 2021, the Lagos state government has presented the budget estimate of N1,155,022,413,005.

The budget was presented by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday, November 10.

The governor said as revenues continue to dwindle, it is imperative for the government to come up with innovative ways of keeping the costs of governance at a minimum.

He said:

“It is our firm belief that with dwindling revenues and the appurtenant inflationary growth rates, that we need to come up with innovative ways of keeping the costs of governance at a minimum while engendering a spirit of selflessness in public service."

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Lagos governor Sanwo-Olu presents N1.2trn budget for 2021 — Lagos state government has presented 2021 budget estimate. Credit: Babafemi Oretuyi
Source: UGC

The governor said the budget estimate was prepared in consideration of the twin challenges that befell the state - COVID-19 pandemic and the recent protest that resulted in the destruction of properties.

He, however, expressed optimism that the state would bounce back as it makes the protection of lives and properties its priority.

Sanwo-Olu urged all business owners affected by the recent EndSARS protests to take advantage of the state’s employment trust fund.

Below is a sectoral breakdown of the budget:

1. General Public Services 136,278,189,622.39

i Science and Technology 28,272,741,669.00

ii Other General Public Services 108,005,447,953.39

2. Public Order and Safety 32,757,159,406.85

3. Economic Affairs 381,852,747,856.72

i Agriculture 18,311,948,584.57

ii Commerce 41,989,851,318.18

iii Toursim, Art & culture 6,012,710,830.00

iv Energy and Mineral Resources 32,585,739,585.09

v Transportation 98,931,628,325.88

vi Infrastructure - Works Family 172,238,545,968.00

vii Waterfront 11,782,323,245.00

4. Environment 50,934,105,592.09

i Drainage 11,936,556,866.00

ii Other Environmental Services 38,997,548,726.09

5. Housing and Community Amenities 40,280,489,878.68

Statewide

10. Contingency Reserve (Including Special Expenditure - Statewide and Special Expenditure -Others) 20,554,523,753.69

11. Loans (Repayments, CDSA & Debt Servicing) 166,215,862,798.26

12. Personnel Cost (Statewide - Pension etc) 49,807,203,890.38

13. Grants & Counterpact Fund

TOTAL 1,155,022,413,005.82

In another development, the Lagos state government on Sunday, November 8, ordered the release of persons who were arrested during the EndSARS protest, numbering about 253.

The directive was issued by the attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Lagos, Justice Moyosore Onigbanjo.

Onigbanjo said this decision came after the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) went through the charges made against the arrested persons by the police and found them devoid of evidence.

Meanwhile, Yoruba leaders have demanded equal treatment of the nation and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that Nigeria is brought back to true federalism to avert a crisis like the one witnessed during the EndSARS protest.