Security Will Get Lion Share in 2021 Budget in Lagos—Obasa

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

“Security will be a major consideration in the 2021 budget of the state,” Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, has declared.

However, he emphasised that this “is to be left for the Governor to decide,” noting that “as representatives of our people, we will look for that in the budget and ensure something good enough is considered for security in the coming year.”

Mr Obasa was speaking at a 4-day retreat on Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and budget process for the staff of the state House of Assembly.

He noted that though revenue to fund the budget next year is expected to decline due to the effect of COVID-19 on the economy, “we are not going to do anything funny to allow insecurity to take charge of the state.”

According to him, the relative peace in the state has made it possible for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to “maintain a speed of development and growth for which the state is known.”

“It is visible to everyone in Lagos that the government of the state has continued, doggedly, to put smiles on the faces of our people.

“It simply means we have been able to gather all we can irrespective of the revenue challenge in the projection we had for 2020,” Mr Obasa said.

He noted that Lagos has always taken a pride of place in relation to the security of the state and that this would not be different in 2021. This is because, according to him, the state expends huge funds on security annually.

“You must give credit to the Lagos state government if you consider the security situation of the state in comparison with others and we will keep improving on what we have achieved.

“I am not saying we will increase the budget for the coming year for security, we are not going to do anything funny to allow insecurity to take charge of the state.

“So, security will be a major consideration in the 2021 budget of the state but that is to be left for the governor to decide. As representatives of our people, we will look for that in the budget and ensure something good enough is considered for security in the coming year,” he said.