19th January, 2025
By Oluwafunke Ishola
Lagos Civil Society Participation for Development (LACSOP) has urged the newly installed Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs Mojisola Meranda, to initiate a public hearing of the state’s annual budget.
Its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mr Ayo Adebusoye, appealed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.
Adebusoye said citizens’ involvement during the presentation of the Appropriation Bill would engender transparency and inclusive governance.
According to him, Meranda’s implementing a public hearing of the annual budget will set her apart from previous speakers of the Assembly.
“Lagos State used to pride itself that all laws have to go through a public hearing. But the principal law, which is the budget, doesn’t go through that process.
“The House has to ensure that citizens can come and give their inputs at the time that the budget is presented by the governor.
“This is key because it gives citizens a sense of ownership of the budget. Let’s remember that the budget is funded primarily by the citizens who are the taxpayers,” he said.
Adebusoye emphasised that procurement processes, contracts and foreign deals should be made transparent to improve public trust.
