In a strategic move towards planning for the upcoming year, kakalistiq.com reports that Engr. Rasaki Bamidele Kasali, the Executive Chairman of Lekki LCDA (Local Council Development Area), commenced discussions on the 2024 budget during an official consultation forum. The session, which was held in the Council Secretariat during the week, provided stakeholders with an opportunity to contribute to the budgeting process.
Reflecting on the achievements of the current 2023 budget, the Executive Chairman highlighted substantial successes in education, health, security, infrastructure, welfare, empowerment, the environment, and the local economy. He expressed his intention to design the 2024 budget to complement and build upon the progress achieved.
Mr. Oladipupo Mojeed, the Head of the Department for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, emphasized the significance of the consultation forum as a platform for stakeholders to discuss their needs and propose inclusions in the local council’s budget. The Executive Chairman’s commitment to participatory budgeting was underscored, emphasizing the integration of the consultation forum into the annual budgeting process.
Dr. Ogunbekun Olajide, the Special Adviser on Budget and Revenue, provided a situational analysis of revenue, calling for increased compliance. He touched on critical indices such as growth rate, population, and unemployment, illustrating their interaction with the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Several voices, including Barr. Mukandasi Olaitan Ogidan, HRM. Oba Ganiu Adegbesan Adebowale, HRM. Oba Ebenezer Olusegun Oyiri, HRM. Oba Akibu Ismail Adeleke, Rev. Bishop S.A. Babatunde, Alhaja Jemilat Adeleke, Mrs. Falilat Adegbesan, Chief Dauda, and Mr. Poroye, contributed to the forum, sharing insights on various aspects, including empowerment, ICT, security, health, education, infrastructure, and revenue.
The Chairman laid out the principles guiding the 2024 year, emphasizing that planning and implementation would be based on available revenues and financing. The expenditure budget aims for comprehensiveness, transparency, realism, policy orientation, and clear accountability in execution.
In closing, the Chairman expressed gratitude for the attendees’ participation and solicited continuous support from the residents of Lekki LCDA to elevate the LCDA to greater heights.
