4th October, 2017
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Government on Wednesday charged members of the political class to refrain from things that could generate conflict and polarize the state at any level.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Kehinde Joseph said this at a stakeholders meeting on the sensitisation of the political class on the Lagos State Government’s policies and protection of projects in their domain, which held on Wednesday in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
Joseph, who addressed women political leaders from the various wards in the state, said there was need for them to embrace things that would bring about oneness and cohesion.
“You should eschew anything that could generate conflict and polarization at any level. Our oneness and cohesion should be maintained. All issues that could lead to crises should be reported to the appropriate quarters. This is the only way we could remain united and strong,” he said.
Joseph solicited the unwavering support for the current administration, adding that “I want to appeal to you all to continue to collectively support this administration. This administration has been acknowledged by leaders, not only in Nigeria but around the world as a focused and performing one.”
Also, the special adviser said the current administration had introduced the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, CLI to drive solid waste disposal in the state as a law was already in place to address holistically environmental challenges in the state.
He implored all to support the new initiative by ensuring cooperation with all government agencies in the area of keeping Lagos clean.
“As stakeholders in this administration, you owe it a duty not only to monitor ongoing projects in your locality but to ensure that such projects are executed without any disturbance from any quarters. In addition, you should protect such projects.
“You owe it a duty to bring to the notice of the government the abuse of such projects. Pedestrian bridges must not turn to markets in your area, illegal refuse dumpsite must be reported to the appropriate authority and the protection of the newly introduced waste-bins must be taken seriously. It is by so doing that we can assist the governor to sustain the tempo of development in the state,” he stated.
Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Babatunde Hunpe said under the CLI, 27,000 street sweepers would be recruited to take care of the environment while they would be paid salaries above minimum wage, while they would also be insured.
He said the new investors would be bringing over 600 compactors to the state to cart away domestic waste in the state, adding that the trucks were still on the high sea and would arrive the state soon.
Hunpe said the old PSP operators had agreed to partner with the state government on the CLI initiative and that they would now be made to cater for commercial waste.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, Women leader, Kemi Nelson charged the women to support the various initiatives of the Ambode administration aimed at moving Lagos forward to greater heights.
Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf said Ambode had impacted on lives in the state and that there was need to support him for the progress of the state.