Lagos Assembly chief whip calls for citizens’ participation in governance

The Chief Whip of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Rotimi Abiru, has called on the people of the state, especially those in Bariga area, to come forward and present their complaints and requests to government as inputs to be considered as the State prepares the 2017 budget.

The lawmaker who was speaking at the Bariga LCDA Secretariat venue of the  season two of the Lagos State House of Assembly organised constituency stakeholders’ parley held simultaneously in all the 40 constituencies of the State also enjoined residents to continue to cooperate and support the State government, saying this is necessary for any government to achieve developments and steady growth.

He explained that the fundamental objectives of the meeting is to brief constituents on the activities of the current Assembly in the last one year in the areas of response to security challenges in the State and to obtain information from participants on the peculiar security problems within the constituency with suggestion on how to combat same.

Rolling out the achievements of the first edition of the parley held in November, 2015, Abiru said, the requests made by residents of the State at the parley were given considerable attention by the State government especially in the area of infrastructural developments across the State in the 2016 budget.

“I wish to state that it is in our determination to give meaning to good representation and good governance that we have come again with the second edition of the stakeholders’ meeting which will enable us sit together to brief you on our activities in the last one year.

We submitted the collated complaints and requests of our constituencies to the Governor

“ Akinwumi Ambode for executive action. I’m pleased to inform you, that the report has been receiving the attention of the Governor and part of your requests and our recommendations are being implemented across the State”

“The Governor has through circular, “No. MEPB/B/2015/10” from the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget with Ref. No. MEPB/B.2016/S.2016/774/IV/7 dated 30th August, stated as follows: “In line with the policy of the State government of inclusive governance, the process leading to Y2017 budget commenced with the yearly budget consultative forum, which provided an avenue for citizens and residents of the State in the three (3) Senatorial Districts to make inputs into the budget. MDAs are enjoined to incorporate these inputs into their budget proposals (Annexure 1). In addition, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly held constituency stakeholders’ meeting across the 40 constituencies of our State and the reports are equally available as inputs into Y2017 budgets”

“This is our testimony to you that our contributions during stakeholders meeting are valuable and that our Governor listens,” Abiru stated.

Highlights of the event which has it’s theme: as “Community/Neighbourhood Policing Starts With You” includes; the submission of the Divisional Police Officer of Pedro Police Station in Shomolu, Mr. Cyril Nwobu who enjoined  residents of the State to always make use of the phone lines provided by the Police to make report of Police officers taking bribes especially those who demand money before granting bail to suspects. The Divisional Police Officer stated this in response to a participant complaints against the police over the issue of bribes as well as demands for money before bail is granted even though it was said that bail is free.     The questions and answers session where constituents freely presented their complaints, requests, offered advices to government as well applauded the Chief Whip of the Lagos House for effective and quality representation of the people of Shomolu constituency 02.

The Chief Whip who acknowledged complaints, requests as well as advises to government from participants however, promised to channel them to the appropriate authority.

Abiru who said he appreciates all the encommium showered on him by the constituents said it will encourage him to do more for the people at the Lagos House, saying the state legislature was determined to make issues raised at the interactive meeting to form the basis of next year’s budget.