•Wants IGR channeled towards improvement of lives

By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Lagos State Chapter of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) has called on the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to prioritize the welfare of Lagos State workers and the general populace, saying that the state’s Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) should be channeled to improving the lives of the people.

The party also said the IGR should be used to address pressing concerns such as the deplorable state of roads across Lagos State.

SPN expressed dismay at what it described as the grossly inadequate provision of palliatives in Lagos State, despite the growing poverty occasioned by the subsidy removal and devaluation of Naira.

The party equally expressed strong belief that with democratic management and control of public finances and funding, involving the democratic participation of workers and the public, mismanagement and looting of public funds would be checkmated.

According to SPN, the action would guarantee the provision of more basic amenities as well as improvement in working and living standard of Lagosians.

“It could also ensure that public funds are transparently invested in job creation and employment opportunities for youths,” it added.

The group further expressed concern about the equitable distribution and utilization of the funds to benefit the ordinary people of Lagos who have been grappling with severe economic hardship.

The statement signed by the duo of Rufus Olusesan, Chairman, Lagos State SPN, and Moshood Oshunfurewa Adebola, Secretary, respectively, partly reads: “The Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ope George, recently disclosed that the Lagos State Government has generated an astonishing N400 billion in the first half of this year.

“This revelation came to light during the 2024 Budget Consultative Forum, where Mr. George expressed confidence in the state’s ability to meet its end-of-year target.

“While the Lagos State Government initially estimated an Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N924.805 billion to finance its N1.768 trillion 2023 budget, Mr. George stressed the necessity of increasing the IGR target for 2024 to provide more essential services to the people of Lagos.

“He underscored the state’s strong credit rating and robust IGR as indicators of its potential to attract investments and funding, including through public-private partnerships (PPPs).”

The party further demanded that the revenue should be used to serve the interests of the people and not go to the pocket of the ruling, corrupt politicians.