The Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday signed the N662.588b 2016 Lagos State Appropriation Bill into law, appealing to the residents of the state to pay their taxes.
The governor, at the brief ceremony held at the State Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, said that the budget would be driven by Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the light of the falling crude oil prices and attendant drop in Federal Allocation as well as economic challenges.
“I will commend this Budget to all Lagosians and enjoin them to continue collaborating with us in building the Lagos of our dreams,” he said. Ambode promised that the budget would be faithfully implemented in line with the determination of his administration to make Lagos work for all, irrespective of age, gender, tribe or status.
He said: “The 2016 budget of N662.588 billion will enable our government focus on the present challenges of security, traffic gridlock resolution, as well as physical and infrastructural developments which have thrown up new challenges quite different from our past experience”.
The governor thanked the House of Assembly for speedy passage of the bill which he presented to the lawmakers on December 17 and was passed on December 31, saying it was no mean feat, considering the long hours spent and meticulous scrutiny provided by the House Committee on Appropriation.
