The Lagos State Civil Society Participation for Development (LACSOP) has tasked the Lagos State government to adopt a gender and social inclusion budgeting in the 2022 appropriation.
LACSOP made the demand in its submission to the Year 2022 Lagos State budget, provided by 59 Non-governmental and Community Based Organizations, delivered during the Y2022 Budget Consultative forum convened by the State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.
The group demanded that there should be “creation of budget line for safe spaces, e.g. shelters for victims and survivors of domestic violence.
“Release of funds to Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs and release the Year 2021 budget provisions for the Disability Fund.
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“Making health infrastructure and services accessible is a major concern for persons with Disabilities in terms of ramps, signage and sign language interpreters.”
LACSOP, in its demands, also urged Lagos State Government to make sector budget monitors publicly available.
The Group urged the government to “improve political will and support for the approval and release of TB funds,” adding that “there is need to urgently improve TB funding approval and releases from the current 2% to 80% for 2022.”
“Direct funding towards research on tropical diseases and a proactive and preventative measure for Nigeria and Africa Clear budgetary provisions that would enhance access to healthcare facilities for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
“Prioritize budget performance to ensure the supplies of materials needed for HIV/AIDS intervention.”
LACSOP stated that there is an urgent need to increase the overall health budget allocation share to 15%, given the glaring health infrastructure deficit exacerbated by the COVID pandemic.
The Group further call for an increased budgetary allocation to inclusive schools in the state to close out-of-school gaps among children with disability.
LACSOP asked the government to consider increasing funding to infrastructure & furniture at schools and urgently address the Out of School (OOSC) incidents in the State.