The Lagos State Government says it will commit more funds in the 2023 budget to run the Blue line rail on Badagry expressway.
It said that this was so, with the Federal Government approval of Badagry Deep Seaport Project under a Private-Public Partnership.
Mr Sam Egube, the Commissioner for Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, disclosed this during Year 2023 Budget Consultative Forum for Badagry Division in Lagos.
According to the Commissioner, the approved Badagry Deep Seaport Project will change the entire Division completely.
“The Blue line rail is going to run on Badagry expressway, we are going to commit more funds in this year’s budget to make sure that we progress the expressway significantly beyond where it is now.
“Though the fund is not enough, but as far as we are concerned, with the commitment we have with the people, we will continue to figure ways to expand our revenue base so that we can continue to serve people better,” he said.
Egube said the forum was to consult the people of Badagry Division on the performance of the government in their communities and what needs to be done.
“Everytime we need to prepare budget, it is important we consult the people because we are not government in the air.
“We are government sitting on the mandate that the people have given us and therefore, we must consult people before we do things.
“This is to tell them how we are doing, especially as a people, government and as a state.
“To let them know how we have performed against the last year plan, and what we have done against what they have told us was their specific interest in 2021 when we were preparing 2022 budget.
“We have to also to listen to them and to be able to have conversations around what is pinching them, what they need and what they want government to do for them,” he said.
The commissioner said Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had insisted since he became the governor that they should always consult the people in all the five divisions to know where the shoes pinches them.
He commended the large turnout of the people of Badagry Division for the forum.
“I feel excited because we have seven traditional rulers from the division here today representing their communities.
“They came with different memoranda and they also reminded us of some commitments we made and we explained where those projects are.
“And we made commitment as to what the remaining months will look like.
“I will like to thank the people of Badagry Division who have come to partner with their State government, for their efforts in their willingness to support us,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stakeholders at the forum complained on some uncompleted projects in their communities, which the commissioner promised to look into.
Some Chairmen of Community Development Committees, Coordinators of Youth Councils, community leaders and government officials from different ministries and agencies attended the forum. (NAN)