Lagos seeks residents’ input for 2027 budget

The Lagos State Government has initiated consultations with residents in each of the state's five divisions as they prepare the 2027 budget. The consultation commenced with a forum in the Ikeja Division, held at the Radio Lagos Multipurpose Hall in Agidingbi. During the forum, residents and community leaders shared their priorities and evaluated the progress of requests made in earlier consultations.

Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, emphasized that these annual consultations aim to give residents a voice in shaping government priorities and allow them to communicate their needs directly. "Every year, we go around our IBILE Divisions to listen to our citizens and hear what they want to see in their upcoming budget," George stated.

The Commissioner explained that the exercise also enables the government to report back to residents on the implementation of requests from the previous year. "This year, we've come in; we've given an account of what they asked us for last year. And we've shown them what we've done. And they've given us what they want for the new budget going on," he added.

Gilbert Ekugbe, a journalist with Punch Newspapers, covered the consultation process, highlighting the government's commitment to transparency and accountability in budgeting.