Councils must complement state govt’s development efforts, says governor

Oziegbe Okoeki

LAGOS State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Thursday that local governments and local council development areas (LCDAs) must complement the state government’s developmental efforts.

He urged them to prioritise the completion of projects, especially construction/maintenance of inner roads, waste management, security of lives and property, primary education/health care, etc.

The governor spoke at the swearing-in of Princess Onikosi Abolanle Fammy as the chairman of Ikosi Isheri LCDA, at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

Onikosi, who was the vice chairman of the LCDA, replaced former chairman Alhaji Abdulfatai Ayodele Oyesanya, who died on January 21.

Sanwo-Olu said that the state and councils must synergise to deliver a Smart City State that would work for all.

He said: “The aggregation of the 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs makes up what is known as Lagos State. What this means for me is that the dream of a Greater Lagos can only be realised with Greater Local Governments.

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“The infrastructural projects being executed by this administration fall within the jurisdiction of one local government or the other. To ensure maximum effect and optimum delivery of dividends of democracy to our people.

“Local government is the third tier of the Nigerian federation with its responsibilities clearly defined in the constitution. By their position on the ladder of governance structure, local governments are the closest to the grassroots and are, therefore, expected to provide and facilitate the provision of services that will have direct impact on the lives of the ordinary people.”

Sanwo-Olu told the chairman that as she assumes office, she should know that the task ahead required purposeful and result- oriented leadership that would deepen the relevance of local government administration for the benefit of the people of Ikosi Isheri LCDA.