The Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said the State Government would continue to take the front seat in ensuring that security agencies in the State especially the Police are well equipped to continue to safeguard the lives and property of Lagosians.
The Governor, who spoke at the 10th Town Hall Meeting on Security held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), said though security is an expensive business, his administration would continue to make the necessary sacrifice that would ensure that residents, visitors and investors in the State can feel safe to move about and carry out their lawful businesses.
Governor Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule said the LSSTF, established 10 years ago to fill the gap in the equipment, training and logistics deficiencies for security agencies operating in the State has however been limited by lack of resources to provide the needed equipment to wage war against all forms of criminal activities.
“We have improved security in our State and we are very grateful to all those who have committed to making contributions to the Fund over the years. Our collective efforts have also made our security model a standard for others to follow,” he said.
The Governor recalled that the efforts of the State Government in supporting security agencies recently came to fore in Johannesburg, South Africa where the Rapid Response (RRS) Squad of the State Police Command was awarded “Best Anti-Crime Police Squad in West Africa” while the Commander RRS, ACP Olatunji Disu, was awarded “Most Outstanding Police Operational Officer in Africa” just as the Lagos State Government got the award for “Best Security and Most Safety-Conscious State in Africa”.
He, however, said that the successes achieved so far must be sustained, saying that it would require more concerted efforts from the private sector to complement government’s efforts in equipping the security agencies with modern equipment.
“I wish to state that our government would continue to take the front seat in supporting our security agencies in the state. But you all must also play your part as responsible citizens of Lagos to ensure the future worthy of the Centre of Excellence”, Governor Ambode said.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the LSSTF, Mr Oye Hassan- Odukale, said that the Fund has fully come of age as an organisation that is fully committed to the safety and security of all Lagosians.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr Abdurrazaq Balogun, said the security in the State has improved drastically owing to the interventions by the State Government through the donation of equipment worth over N1.6billion in the last one year with private sector support of about N440million in cash and 19 patrol vehicles.
Also in his presentation, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, explained that against the backdrop of numerous challenges, Lagos State witnessed tremendous improvement in crime management, adding that in assessing the state of safety and security, Lagos can be adjudged as relatively peaceful and secured.
At the meeting, corporate organisations, individuals and stakeholders made donations towards the sustenance of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.