Mariam Akinloye
The process of developing a people-oriented budget for 2024, in Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, started on Friday, with a Stakeholders’ Forum.
According to the Council Chairman, the stakeholders’ forum is vital to budget preparation, because it gives the populace the opportunity to make inputs and have a people- oriented budget.
At the strategic meeting held at the Ijede LCDA Secretariat hall, stakeholders commended the council administration under Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, for the efforts made so far, but also charged the council to look into the provisions of more Health centres, Schools, market management and also improve the Environment and Security issues within the council.
Also, concern over ticketing for transporters, challenges posed by the tipper drivers and difficulties that residents encounter in returning to Ijede at night from their various destinations among other issues were raised by the stakeholders as areas that they want the council authority to look into and address in the coming year.
In her address, the Ijede Council boss, Hon. Gbadebo – Alogba, said that the meeting allowed residents to seek interventions in critical areas and have it provided for in the 2024 budget for execution.
She was represented by her Vice Chairman, Hon. Kabir Kareem.
“It is my pleasure to welcome all stakeholders in the growth and development of Ijede Local Council Development Area, to the year 2024 Budget Stakeholders’ Forum”, he said.
“As we are all know, Budget Stakeholders’ Forum is vital to budget preparation because it gives room for interaction, whereby, people list out their needs such that the local government can have a people-oriented budget for each year.
“The local government is the closest tier of government to the people and where people go to seek government’s interventions on pressing issues affecting their communities, we are, therefore, determined to make governance felt among our people.
“We can, however, do this when we work together to ensure participatory governance”, he said.
The Council Chairman stated that many projects that were requested for during the 2023 Budget Stakeholders’ Forum, have been implemented, adding that the intention of her administration is to impacts on every ward with projects.
“Borne out of our last year’s deliberations, the local government has rehabilitated the library, rehabilitated the Oke-Eletu health centre, started the construction of a model primary school in lgbe Ogunro, procured a new Ambulance for use in our health center, to mention just few.
“I am, therefore, using this opportunity to implore all stakeholders here today to identify and present the most pressing issues in their communities which will all be noted down and attended to in order of priorities”, she said.
“It is my intention to touch every ward in Ijede local council development area with at least one notable project. I am calling on representatives from each ward to contribute their priorities so that together we can have a united voice in the formulation of policies, programmes and projects that will enhance development in our council area”.
Alhaji Ajala, a political and community leader in Ijede, in his presentation, charged the Ijede LCDA to make good use of its revenue, while also stating that the council must present a thorough report to the Lagos State House of Assembly that would reflect the true state of the council.
The political leader also called on the council to copy any good thing being done in other councils and reflect it in Ijede LCDA.
Mr Monsuru Bello, who represented the APC Chairman in Ijede, called the attention of the council to the environmental issues which he said has been a great concern to residents.
Residents of Ayetoro requested for the council’s presence and also asked for the provision of Health Centre and School in their community.
The Divisional Police Officer charged every resident to see security as their responsibility, and seek for support of the council for their operations.
Also at the Stakeholders’ Meeting were Ijede LCDA Council Leader and Councilors, Chief Imam of ljede, CAN Chairman, Ijede chapter, political leaders, traditional leaders, CDC/CDA representatives, students’ representatives, Youths leaders and cultural groups among others.
