Today, at the induction programme for the 57 elected Council Chairmen, I charged the new leaders of the third tier of government in Lagos State to devote their resources to people-oriented programmes that will address poverty and accelerate good governance at the grassroots.
I reminded the council chairmen that the manifesto of the APC on whose platform they came to power gives priority to programmes focusing on development and people’s welfare. I stated that it was incumbent on them to sustain the support, trust and confidence of the people by promoting purposeful, result-oriented and inclusive governance.
The party’s people-centred ideas and programmes have, over the years, been implemented meticulously at the Federal level and in Lagos to the admiration and satisfaction of our people, who, in return, have remained consistent and unwavering in their support and loyalty to our party.
As Local Government Chief Executives, they have important responsibilities as Security Officers in their domains, serving as an early-warning security system for law enforcement and security agencies, and for the State Government.
Council Chairmen must have eyes and ears to the ground, working closely with local and traditional institutions, market, transport and artisan unions, youth groups, and religious organisations to defuse those seemingly minor tensions that have the tendency to blow up into unmanageable situations.
I also used the occasion to give a progress report on the 377 projects kicked off last year by the State Government across the wards and bring the new council helmsmen to speed on them.