Bariga LCDA begins 2027 budget consultations, prioritise residents’ demands

Bariga LCDA begins 2027 budget consultations, prioritise residents’ demands

Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State has begun consultations with residents and stakeholders across eight wards in the area as part of preparations for its 2027 budget.

The LCDA said the forum was to gather stakeholders’ priorities for the 2027 Appropriation Bill, with infrastructure and environmental management among key concerns.

The LCDA Chairman, Mrs Bukola Adedeji, made this known at the Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum held at the council’s secretariat in Lagos on Tuesday.

The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that the forum had the theme, “Budget for Sustainable Governance”.

‘’The annual consultation will provide the council the opportunity to listen to residents, understand their priorities and incorporate their needs into the budget preparation process, ‘’ she said.

She said that the government used the forum to also report on projects and programmes implemented following demands raised during previous consultations.

Adedeji said that, although not every request could be accommodated, the government had continued to return to communities to provide feedback on implementation while getting new priorities for subsequent budgets.

“We are here because we believe one fundamental truth: government cannot develop Bariga alone. Development that is planned without the people is development that will fail the people.

“This forum is, therefore, not a formality. It is a deliberate strategy to institutionalise participatory governance. We want to listen before we act and to plan with you, not just for you.

“Bariga LCDA is unique. We are a community that is closely populated, youthful, vibrant and full of potential.

‘’We are also a community with real challenges: from infrastructure gaps in our inner streets, to waste management, to the need to create more opportunities for our youth and women, ‘’ she said.

Adedeji said that since assuming office, her administration had, with the limited resources available to an LCDA, focused on what mattered most to the people.

The chairman said that with regard to roads and environment, the LCDA had experienced gradual rehabilitation of inner roads, desilting of drains and sustained advocacy for a cleaner Bariga.

Adedeji said in Education, her administration had support for the public primary schools, saying, ‘’The foundation determines the future.

“In primary health care, the government is strengthening our PHCs to ensure our mothers and children can access affordable care.

“For the youth and women, skills, empowerment and inclusion are important because a council that leaves its youth behind has no future.

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“In security and community cohesion, the council is working with all security stakeholders to keep Bariga safe and peaceful.

“We do not claim to have done everything, but we have been transparent, accountable, and we have been present,” the chairman said.

In his remarks, the immediate Past Chairman of the LCDA, Mr Kolade Alabi, urged Bariga stakeholders to pay their levies and rates in due time.

‘’This is because development is a partnership, and government brings governance, citizens bring civic responsibility, ‘’ Alabi said.

Also, the council’s Head of Department (HOD) on Budget and Planning, Mrs Adebola Adeshina, said the consultation was aimed at promoting feedback, accountability and evidence-based engagement.

She explained that requests from stakeholders would be documented, reviewed and prioritised before being considered for inclusion as government interventions.

VMT NEWS reports that stakeholders at the forum commended the process for providing residents with an opportunity to influence government priorities and give feedback on previous interventions.

The Chairman, Community Development Community (CDC) in the LCDA, Mr Mustapha Bello, said that the forum was to align public spending with the infrastructure and environmental needs of its growing population.

Bello said the CDC focused particularly on road rehabilitation, community welfare and other matters affecting residents.

VMT NEWS reports that the forum brought together representatives of CDCs and Community Development Associations.

Others at the meeting are landlords’ associations, artisans, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, religious leaders, women, students, market leaders and other critical stakeholders.