SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF IBEJU-LEKKI LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HON. DR. SEMIU OLORUNKEMI SURAKAT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE YEAR 2021 BUDGET RETREAT HELD ON WEDNESDAY 3RD TO FRIDAY 5TH JANUARY, 2021 AT EMMY HOTEL & SUITS, IBEJU-LEKKI.
THE VICE CHAIRMAN
THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
HEAD OF ADMINISTRATION
HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS/ UNITS
OTHER COUNCIL KEY FUNCTIONARIES HERE PRESENT
GENTLEMEN OF THE PRESS
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
It is with great pleasure and gratitude in mind that I welcome you all to this Year 2021 Budget Retreat holding here today. I give God the glory for the gift of life.
The Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government has rekindled the hope of the Ibeju-Lekki people as he promised to hasten on the ongoing developmental projects by his administration.
The Executive Chairman also make sure the COVID-19 protocol was adhered to strictly during the retreat. Hon. Dr. Semiu Olorunkemi Surakat expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the grace to witness the occasion despite all the challenges of the previous year. He said, the Local Government suffered setback due to the #EndSARS protest that got the Local Government burnt. Thus, the Chairman is determined to bring back life to the Local Government which brought about the theme of the retreat as “BUDGET OF RECOVERY AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY” for the people of Ibeju-Lekki.
The Chairman noted that the year 2021 budget will be prudently implemented noting that capital expenditure is his major focus despite the recurrent expenditure is a must but the ratio will be miles apart.
During the appraisal, Hon. Dr. Semiu Olorunkemi Surakat admonished all the technocrats to be reasonable with their proposals, while urging them to be selfless in the defense of their various departmental budget delivery in achieving the goals together and also making sure all levies and taxes are paid to the Local Government purse and not individual’s purse so as to collectively take the Local Government to that dreamed height.
The Chairman there after charged everyone to spread the message on the 2nd wave of Covid-19 Pandemic in their neighborhood. He said as the Nation is battling to combat the virus, all hands must be on deck. The Local Government would also make more sacrifices to further flatten the curve. Our Health Officers will intensify efforts in creating massive awareness and publicity across all our wards. Please comply with all the rules of COVID-19 as the 2nd wave is more deadly so let’s comply.
On that note. As I pray for a calamity free 2021, I urge us all to be open minded and flexible in all our doings. This will help us collectively achieve our set target.
There is no doubt in my mind that if this is greatly achieved, it will go a long way in propelling the wheel of progress in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government.
At this point, I will like to say a big thank you to everybody, for your supports and dedication, had it not been for your cooperation, we will not have come this far.
In conclusion I must appreciate the Legislative Arms and Executive members for their unalloyed supports, dedication commitments and useful advice. I appreciate you all for making last year a wonderful one.
It is on this note that I declare this retreat open to the Glory of God and benefits of the good people of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government.
Wishing everyone here a blissful year ahead.
Thanks and God bless.
Hon. Dr. Semiu Olorunkemi Surakat
Executive Chairman
Ibeju-Lekki Local Government,
Igando-Oloja.
