A human right organization, the Nigeria Peace Advocacy Group (NPAG), has expressed optimism that the proposed N1.39 trillion Budget presented before the Lagos State House of Assembly by the state Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu recently would be promptly looked into and passed without delay by the Legislative House.
President of the group, Omolola Olukayode, said his members have no iota of doubt in their mind that, the Legislative House under the able leadership of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa would aid the quick passage of the important Appropriation Bill in the interest of the generality of the people, reminding that, “Antecedence of the House in the time past has convinced us it will do a good job as usual.”
According to the group, this is not the first time the Mudashiru Obasa-led House will do it, enthusing that, “it has done it severally before and this one would not be an exception because the House is peopled by 40 experienced, competent and patriotic politicians of high calibre, who know their onion.”
The statement said that, the group pins its high optimism on the Executive/Legislative harmony existing between the two arms of the government, expressing the delights that the two arms have put the interests of the people they are serving above any other interests either personal or pecuniary.
“What has further raised our hope and belief that, the document would be treated with dispatch was the assurance given by Obasa that his colleagues in the Legislative House would keep supporting the Executive Arm of the government being superintended by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu,” the statement declared.
The organization added that, the reason it wants quick passage of the Appropriation Bill is to get the Governor well prepared as usual to hit the ground running from January 1, 2022, pointing out that, “the quick passage of the previous ones in 2020 and 2021 gave the governor ample chances of executing the outlined programmes therein to the letter,” reposing same confidence on Sanwo-Olu that, this time too, he will do a good job with the Budget.”
What is gratifying to note, the group continues, is the priority the governor gives to some aspects of growth and development like the infrastructure, education, Waterfront Agriculture, Transportation, Energy, Mineral Resources, Tourism, Entertainment/Creative Industry, Commerce/Industry as well as Wealth Creation and Employment.
The statement informed that, “of paramount importance to us are the aspects that have to do with education and youth employment that will lead to wealth creation,” reasoning that, “youth restiveness that often leads to all acts of criminality would be eliminated substantially because if the youth are gainfully employed, the devil would not have apprentice to engage.”
While giving the assurance that Sanwo-Olu will do a good job with the Budget if promptly passed, the statement said, “he has done it before and he will do it again even better than before.”