By Abolaji Adebayo
Few days after the council held its budget retreat, the Executive Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Otunba Adebayo Olasoju has on Monday presented the proposed Appropriation Bill for the year 2022 before the legislative arm for its approval.
Olasoju presented a sum of N2,779,379,104.59 as the estimated budget for the fiscal year with works, housing, and infrastructure taking the lion share of N198,914,301.92k.
The budget is tagged ‘Budget of Infrastructural Development and Sustainabilit’.
Olasoju, while presenting the financial appropriation bill before the leadership and members of the lawmaking arm of the council, explained that his administration area of focus for the new year will be to consolidate and improve on the gains of the inherited 2021 budget in the area of infrastructural development and other sectors of governance, hence the name ‘Budget of Infrastructural Development and Sustainability’.
He added that just as his administration wasted no time in meeting some of the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the council area on Infrastructural development that led to the construction of over ten roads and ongoing works on a few others as well as deliberate expending efforts on health, education, security, welfare and empowerment, environment and other sectors last year, more should be expected in this fiscal year.
“In this year’s budget, we want to construct more roads and connect the roads in such a manner that there will be more alternative inner roads.
“Furthermore, to properly engage our youths, many life-changing programs via acquiring surviving skills in the area of ICT, sports development, human-capacity-development training, entertainment, training on poultry and farming, the building of vocational centers, and others will be at the forefront. Equally women’s development, children’s development, and elderly care while special provisions have been made available to take care of the above mentioned.”
The council boss added that provisions have been made in the proposed bill to further equip the primary healthcare centers for optimal output emphasizing that the monthly Care for the Elderly Program will continue.
He went further to appreciate the invaluable supports of residents, business owners, and other stakeholders in the council area by the way of payment of levies and dues as he expressed his optimism that the support will continue to fuel the reality of the projects embedded in the proposed bills.
In his remarks, the Council Leader, Hon. Akeem Ayoola Adeyemi (Alarape) promised that the House will carefully assess the bill and make it ready for passage in due time as he reiterated that the legislative arm, under his leadership, will not be a cog in the wheel of the council’s progress rather a reliable partner in its continued progress.
In the same vein, the Deputy Leader, Hon. Kanayo Osondu eulogized the council chairman for taking the bold step of coming up with a development-oriented appropriation bill like this as he expressed his confidence and conviction that, upon passage, the budget will edge the council closer to the “Isolo of our dream”.
Other councillors such as the Majority Leader, Hon. Abisodun Odunsina-Adeoye, the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Idris Babatunde Amusa and the Councillor representing Apena Ward, Hon. Temitope Agbabiaka also expressed their optimism in the proposed bill in meeting the yearnings of the people.
Present at the epoch-making event were the council’s vice chairman, Hon. Shakir Sadiq Adeola, the management staff led by the Council Manager and Treasurer, Mr. Samson Adebami and Dr. Adekoya Adesanya, respectively, some political office holders led by the Chief of Staff, Hon. Musbau Quadri, the Chairman Community Development Committee (CDC), Hon. Segun Olatunde among others.
Also, the Leader of the House Oshodi-Isolo LGA, Hon. Rasheed Obasa led some councilors from his LGA to witness the historical event, they include the councilor representing Ewu Ward; Hon. Adega Tope, the councilor representing Afariogun Ward, Hon. Wasiu Faluade and the councilor representing Mafoluku Ward; Hon. Abayomi Kazeem.
