Lagos Civil Society Participation for Development (LACSOP) has appealed to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs Mojisola Meranda, to initiate a public hearing of the state’s annual budget.

Its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mr Ayo Adebusoye, appealed on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Adebusoye said citizens’ involvement during the presentation of the Appropriation Bill would engender transparency and inclusive governance.

According to him, Meranda’s implementing a public hearing of the annual budget will set her apart from previous speakers of the Assembly.

“Lagos State used to pride itself on the fact that all laws must go through a public hearing. But the principal law, which is the budget, doesn’t go through that process.

“The House has to ensure that citizens can come and give their inputs at the time that the budget is presented by the governor.

“This is key because it gives citizens a sense of ownership of the budget. Let’s remember that the budget is funded primarily by the citizens who are the taxpayers,” he said.

Adebusoye emphasised that procurement processes, contracts, and foreign deals should be transparent to improve public trust.

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According to him, the budget for the House of Assembly and Legislative House Service Commission should be made open to reduce corruption allegations against the house and state.

“It’s always difficult to make positive reforms because there are some people who would want the status quo to remain, however, being on the citizen’s side will make a huge difference,” he said.

He also called for the reactivation of the civil society legislative desk within the Assembly and robust and seamless interactions between civil society groups and the legislatures.

Adebusoye emphasised that this would ensure prompt feedback on programmes and projects of government statewide.

He called for a dedicated and functional phone number to ensure all legislators are accessible to their constituents.

“Now, with technology, it’s very easy to do that. You see, citizens in the UK and other countries send their concerns to their MPs, and they’ll get a response.

“We must ensure that leaders would govern competently, transparently and in the public interest,” he said.

NAN reports that Meranda, representing Apapa I, was elected as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa, who occupied the seat since 2015.

Meranda’s election on Jan. 13 as a replacement made her the first female speaker in the parliament since 1999.