By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos State Government has announced that it will hold town hall meetings across the state’s five divisions to engage citizens in the preparation of the 2025 budget.
The meetings, known as “Budget Consultative Forum,” will take place from July 23 to July 30, 2024, and will provide an opportunity for residents to discuss developmental requests and issues affecting their areas.
The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, will lead the officers and staff of the Ministry in hosting the five-day event. The meetings will take place in the following locations: Lagos division (July 23), Ikeja division (July 24), Ikorodu division (July 25), Epe division (July 26), and Badagry division (July 30).
According to the statement by the State Ministry of Information and Strategy, the town hall meetings are part of the government’s philosophy of “Leaving No One Behind” and its drive to make Lagos a 21st Century Economy. The meetings will provide an update on the implementation status of completed and ongoing projects and programs enclosed in the Y2024 budget.
The Forum is expected to have representatives of residents, traditional rulers, professional bodies, civil society groups, government officials from state to local levels, non-governmental and trade organisations, youths, and people living with disabilities (PLWD), among others.
As stated in the release, “The town hall meetings are an annual event where government functionaries meet with the people based on the incoming fiscal year to discuss developmental requests and issues as they affect citizens in their various areas.”