The Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon Wasiu Adeshina has stated that the 2023 budget of the local government will focus more on agricultural promotion and economic empowerment of residents.
Adeshina made this disclosure at the 2023 Budget Consultative Forum of his local government tagged, ‘Effective Budget Formulation’ held at the council auditorium in Ikorodu.
Addressing the gathering, which comprises of major community stakeholders like the representatives of community development associations, market men and women, traditional rulers, youths and body of artisans, etc.
‘I am determined to continue to pursue and expand the policies that will show that I respect the yearnings of the people. What we are doing today is to fulfill part of the provisions of the constitution. It is an avenue where community inputs and injected into the budget, because our budget is people-oriented’, he said.
Speaking further, Adeshina explained that, ‘we have decided to design the 2023 budget to focus more on Agricultural promotion and economic empowerment of citizens. This is a deviation from our previous budget which concentrated more on infrastructural development. We believe that agriculture is the next revenue cash cow after crude oil and we are determined to empower our farmers with necessary empowerment and support to make Ikorodu a local government to reckon with in the sector’, he stated.
The council boss also gave a breakdown of the revenue and expenditure in the 2022 budget which showed a 55. 36% performance index, while pledging that the 2023 budget would do better.
Adeshina also used the opportunity to highlight some of the completed and on-going projects in the 2022 budget while pledging to deliver on his promises to the good people of the council area.
He concluded his speech by imploring the participants to support the re-election of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu so that they can enjoy more dividends of democracy from his administration.
Key stakeholders at the forum commended Adeshina for his hardwork. They also made observations and contributions to be included in the 2023 budget.
Representative of the Ndigbo members in APC and the entire Ohaneze Ndigbo thanked the council boss for the great job he is doing. They also requested to be considered in the budget implementation.
National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ikorodu Chapter represented by Com Opaleye Michael also commended Hon Adeshina for the series of empowerment initiatives he has initiated and targeted at the youths and women. He however requested for a functional office and operational vehicle for the organization to aid their performance.
Speaking on behalf of the Baales, the Chairman, Council of Baales Ikorodu local government who also doubles as Baale Omitoro applauded the council boss for his good works. He also appealed to him to ensure prompt maintenance is carried out on all dilapidated roads across the local council.
Hassan Elemuren, Chairman Itunmori Zone lamented the state of drainage system in his community. He implored the Chairman to intervene so as to bring succour to residents of the area.
In her brief remarks to the gathering, Vice Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon Folashade Olabanji-Oba appreciated the stakeholders for their presence and inputs. She however requested for their support for the Adeshina-led local government so that they can succeed.
Responding to inputs from stakeholders, Hon Adeshina promised to look into all the inputs and recommendations of the stakeholders to ensure that they are captured in the 2023 budget.
To demonstrate the commitment of his administration to factor their inputs into the 2023 budget, he announced that his government will commence the drainage project on Eluku Street, boreholes at Omitoro and Oke Olokun in Agura community as well as bus for Council of Baales in the local government.
In closing, Adeshina assured the stakeholders that his team will take back all the feedbacks and ensure they are addressed in the budget.
