Hon. Banjo Presents N1.522b “Budget of Reassurance” To Lawmakers

Kunle ADELABU

Hon. Adeola Banjo, Chairman of the Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has presented a budget of N1,000, 522, 774 (One billion, five hundred million, five hundred and twenty two thousand, seven hundred and seventy four naira) to the Legislative Arm of the council.

The budget was tagged, “Budget of Reassurance”.

The Chairman, who presented the budgetary proposal on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, was accompanied to the presentation ceremony at the Councilor’s Chamber by past council chairmen, party chairmen, leaders, members of his cabinet, Head of the Council Administration, head of departments and others .

Total recurrent expenditure was put at N1, 332, 520, 778 (One billion, three hundred and thirty two million, five hundred and twenty thousand, seven hundred and seventy eight million naira), while the non-recurrent expenditure was put at N1, 068, 000, 000 (One hundred and sixty eight million naira).

After the reading of the last plenary session minutes by the Chamber officer, Hon. Adeniran Adeyemi, the Chief Whip, moved for the suspension of the sitting till another day to allow the Council Chairman present the appropriation bill to the House for consideration.

His motion was unanimously supported by other lawmakers present at the sitting.

While presenting the budget, Hon. Banjo stated that the budget was aimed at projecting into the future for the council.

“We have carefully crafted our theme for this year’s budget having considered where we were coming from and projected into the future. This is my second budget presentation in office and I sincerely do not have any regret as to how far we have come”.

He stated that his administration has achieved a lot in various sectors of the council.

“In our first year in office, we have been able to achieve quite a lot in the various sectors of our local economy. Our administration has done quite a lot in the areas of education, youth empowerment and training, sport development, improved revenue generation drive and in the health department to mention a few”.

He stated that numerous awards and recognitions that have been bestowed on the council are testimonies to the great feats that his administration has been able to record since inception.

“During the cause of the year, we won several national recognition award in different capacities which include Best Performing Local Government Chairman in Lagos State, Best Local Government in Ikorodu division by IKODASS, Best Council Manager in Lagos State was won by our own Steppy (Dr Olasunkanmi Odesanya, Head of the Council Administration) and our Odonla Primary Health Care Centre won the best PHC award in South West. All these are testimonials of our hard work, dedication and steadfastness”.

Hon. Banjo stated that his administration has plans to embark execution of several projects which are geared towards giving dividends of democracy to the people.

“Again, in the last few months, we have prepared the ground on which we intend to reassure our various publics of our readiness to consolidate on our efforts at delivering dividends of democracy to the good people of Ikorodu North LCDA.

“For us, it is with renewed hope and energy we plan for this fiscal year. In 2018, we embarked on a project in each of the ward. We hope to sustain this effort this year with even more capital projects. We have been compiling and listening to voices on the streets and that of our leaders to pick more impactful projects that would best serve the interest of our people”.

He assured the people of the council that every pars of the council will feel his administration’s impact.

“Let me state here categorically that we are not leaving any area out in Ikorodu North. We are a responsive and responsible government, we have every nook and cranny of the LCDA at heart so, those who have the erroneous impression that we are focusing on a particular ward in the LCDA should please desist from such thought”.

While enjoining the Councilors to accord the budget speedy attention, the Council Chairman also called for improved cooperation and support between the two arms.

“My Councilors, I want to use this medium to thank you once again for your immense support and understanding. Yes, it might seem rough but with love and understanding, we are sure to be victorious and stronger together. Let’s keep this harmonious relationship we have been keeping and by God’s grace, all shall be well with us”.

He also assured the Council’s staff members that his administration is doing everything possible to intervene in their r challenges while also calling on the party leaders to always call his administration’s attention when it is necessary.

“To other stakeholders, management and staff members, I want to use this medium to reassure you of our commitment to ensuring Ikorodu North remains safe, peaceful and habitable for all. It is important we understand that the resources are really not there to enable us do as much as we would have loved to do. We are not unaware of the various challenges here and there but, please, take solace in the fact that something is being done to ameliorate  the pains to the bearest minimum.

“To my political leaders, I say thank you for your usual support, cooperation and understanding. I am sure I have not been hiding anything from you. It is with open mind and sincerity we allot and apportion our hard earned resources. Please, feel very free to call our attention to whatever you notice needs to be done, it is a partnership.

“The prosperity of Ikorodu North is our common goal and I am sure you all know we have a listening ear. We would certainly heed your call provided we have the means and capability to get the job done in good time”.

Hon. Abiodun Adekoya, the Leader of the Ikorodu North LCDA Legislative arm, who presided over the budget sitting, assured the executive arm and the residents of the council that the budget proposal will be accorded speedy consideration.

“I want to assure the Executive Chairman, Hon. Adeola Adebisi Banjo, that the House will work assiduously towards giving the appropriation bill a speedy passage. This will in no small measure serve as a catalyst in bringing about rapid developmental projects to our Wards.

“We, the Councilors in Ikorodu, will play our part as a dynamic and resourceful Legislative Arm and also continue to cooperate with the Executive Arm of the Government in achieving these goals without undermining the principle of separation of power as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria”.

Among chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  at the budget presentation were Alhaji Akibu Adewunmi, former Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Prince Kunle Ogunbela, first Council Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Otunba Olasunkanmi Tijani, former Chairman, Ikorodu North Local Development Area, Prince Adeola Muhydeen Jokomba, former Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Abiodun Iyiola, APC Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Mathew Adesanya, former Secretary to the Council, Mr Adeniyi Odugbesi, Secretary to the Ikorodu North LCDA and Dr Olasunkanmi Odesanya, Head of the Administration, Ikorodu North LCDA among others.