Lagos State Governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday explained why he and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, visited President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Villa, Abuja.
He said he visited the seat of government to congratulate the number one citizen for his victory at the general elections.
An elated Buhari, who received Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat warmly, also felicitated with the duo for their victory at the poll. He also held a closed door meeting with them.
Speaking with reporters, after the meeting, Sanwo-Olu said: “It is important for the deputy governor-elect and myself to have a one-on-one short discussion with the Commander-in-Chief, and it’s a rare privilege. It was a short one, just to say congratulations to him on his own election and he also said the same thing to us. So, it’s a very short courtesy visit to Mr. President.’’
The governor-elect gave an insight into the plans for Lagos State, saying that he will preside over a problem-solving government.
Sanwo-Olu said he would find enduring solutions to many of the challenges confronting the state, including transportation, housing, waste management, health and education.
He emphasised that he and his deputy have the competence and capabilities to hit the ground running and foster good governance in the Centre of Excellence.
Sanwo-Olu added: “We are actually very excited. We are excited because we’ve seen all the challenges ahead of us and we know that, given all the plans and strategies we are putting in place for execution, we will certainly be bringing about solutions that will solve various challenges in Lagos very quickly.
“We know that with a mega city of our status, it comes with a lot of challenges but we are lucky that we have been part of it before now and we are excited that the solutions we are bringing up, many of which we told our people on the campaign trail, we are sure we will very quickly be able to bring about positive development that will improve the quality of lives and ease all of the challenges that we currently have in Lagos.”
On the recent building collapse in the state, which he described as unfortunate, the governor-elect said the state government is doing all that is possible to ensure building codes are strictly adhered to.
Sanwo-Olu added that his administration would strengthen the existing codes and also apply the rules without pandering to sentiments.
Sanwo-Olu stressed: “It’s an unfortunate incident. I used to be the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Building Collapse. That was about 10 years ago, which led to the creation of an agency called Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABCA).
“It was meant to identify structures well ahead before issues like this begin to happen. But it’s an unfortunate thing, extremely very unfortunate and it also means that we expect it would happen again if nothing drastic is done to check it. Our administration will strengthen the agency and apply the law without sentiments.”
“Lagos truly really needs regeneration, especially Lagos Island and that was part of the things we promised on the campaign trail. So, it’s to have a conversation with all of the families on the Island and we’ll see the kind of redevelopment that is important as it’s being done by a lot of other big cities like Lagos.”
On urban renewal, the governor-elect said proper enumeration of property is the ultimate solution to achieve success.
He said once properties are properly enumerated and the owners see the government’s sincerity of purpose, they will key into it and regeneration can take place.
