By Peter Dansu Badagry West Local Council Development Area on Wednesday commenced its 2026 Budget Retreat, setting a firm tone for strategi...
By Peter Dansu
Badagry West Local Council Development Area on Wednesday commenced its 2026 Budget Retreat, setting a firm tone for strategic planning, disciplined execution and transparent governance under the leadership of its Executive Chairman, Hon Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren, popularly known as RiKAY.
Declaring the retreat open, Chairman RiKAY challenged top management and departmental heads to embrace unity, synergy and a renewed sense of responsibility, stressing that the success of the 2026 fiscal year would depend largely on teamwork and focused implementation.
He said the theme of the proposed budget, Budget of Renewed Hope, Action and Grassroots Development, reflects his administration’s resolve to move beyond plans on paper to projects that directly improve the lives of residents across communities in Badagry West.
According to him, the expectations of the people are rising and governance must respond with visible development, stronger institutions and improved service delivery.
“We have started well, but our people expect more. This budget must speak through action. It must deliver real impact and measurable progress. Relenting is not an option,” the chairman stated.
Earlier, the Head of Budget, Mr Kazeem Adesanya, welcomed participants and noted that the retreat provides a critical platform for evaluating past performance, aligning priorities and strengthening the operational framework required to drive the council’s 2026 development agenda.
One of the major highlights of the opening session was the inauguration of the Procurement Planning Committee by the chairman. The committee is expected to strengthen transparency, enforce due process and ensure that all projects executed by the LCDA meet value for money standards.
Delivering a keynote presentation titled Seed of Development, former Council Manager of Igbogbo Bayeku, Mr Tijani Waheed, stressed the need to modernize budget implementation processes in line with evolving innovations and technology.
In an interview, Waheed said budgets had been prepared over the years, but changing realities demand improved execution strategies that can guarantee better outcomes for the people.
He urged management staff to work closely with the chairman, noting that commitment, cooperation and alignment remain essential for delivering meaningful governance at the grassroots.
Waheed also spoke on the broader dimensions of development, including social, economic and environmental factors, while identifying challenges such as limited funding, weak partnerships, inequality, climate pressures and global economic uncertainties. He commended Chairman RiKAY for aligning early interventions with best practice budgeting standards.
Also speaking, procurement consultant Mr Osuporu Samuel gave a detailed presentation on modern procurement processes, emphasizing the need for public competitive bidding, transparent evaluation and strict adherence to due process.
He noted that strong procurement systems are central to good governance and public confidence, adding that no meaningful development can be achieved without accountability in project execution.
Another key focus of the retreat was Internally Generated Revenue. Participants reviewed current revenue performance, identified gaps and explored strategies to expand the council’s revenue base in 2026.
Discussions centered on improving compliance, strengthening revenue monitoring, enhancing stakeholder engagement and deploying innovative approaches to grow revenue without placing additional burden on residents.
The deliberations laid the groundwork for a more sustainable and predictable revenue framework capable of supporting the effective implementation of the 2026 budget.
Overall, the budget retreat set a clear strategic direction for the coming fiscal year, reinforcing the administration’s emphasis on planning, transparency and strong implementation structures under Chairman RiKAY’s leadership.
The retreat continues today with more technical sessions aimed at deepening budget alignment, strengthening inter departmental coordination and finalizing frameworks for effective service delivery in the new year.
Those in attendance included the Vice Chairman, Hon Princess Sesi Ogungbe Yusuf, the Council Manager, Engr Akande Lawrence, the Council Treasurer, Mr Asunni Kamarudeen, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Zinsu Emmanuel, the Chief Press Secretary, Solomon ZOSU, alongside political aides, management staff, youth representatives and directors.
No comments