Lagos promises to deliver on electoral mandate

“I understand the import of the mandate. I cherish the mandate; I am fully conscious of the import for your hopes and aspirations and I remain as committed as I was in 2007 to fulfill those aspirations”. ...... Babatunde Fashola.

Lagos promises to deliver on electoral mandate
Qasim Akinreti, Lagos

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), says he remains committed to do his best and deliver on his electoral mandate as he took the constitutional Oath of Office for a second term.

This was contained in his acceptance speech after the swearing in ceremony performed by the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Inumidun Akande, who also swore in the new Deputy Governor of the State, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Central Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub.

Governor Fashola described the mandate as a support for the continuation of good governance in the State, and promised that the people-oriented programmes and policies of his administration would continue to move Lagos to a brighter rewarding future.

“I understand the import of the mandate. Let me assure you all that as leader of the government team, I cherish the mandate; I am fully conscious of the import for your hopes and aspirations and I remain as committed as I was in 2007 to fulfill those aspirations”, the Governor said.

Clarion call

He called on other public elected officials to ensure that the people who voted them get the best of good governance and accountability. In his words, “In 2007, very few of us were known to you. But today, we have become like goldfish. We have no hiding place. We understand that you will not settle for less and we are committed to give you nothing but the best”. 

Compliance with rules

Governor Fashola also enjoined the electorate to comply with the rules and regulations guiding the relationship between government and citizens pointing out that the achievements of his administration in the last four years were largely as a result of total commitment to law and order.

“As I make this solemn pledge before you all and before God, let me remind all of us that the progress we have made was not made by me alone. Every law abiding ‘Lagosian’ was a contributor. We achieved this progress by building a Government whose commitment to law and order was unmistakable and unequivocal. We will require an even greater commitment to law and order, not only to sustain what we have achieved, but also to progress upon it”, the Governor said.

Running an inclusive government 

He assured that his administration would continue to run an all-inclusive government where the aspirations of every sector would be accommodated. 

On the problems that face the State such as youth unemployment, bad roads and others, Governor Fashola said his administration would continue to be innovative and ready to evolve and expand policies like the Agriculture Youth Empowerment Scheme, the Lagos Ignite Programme, Technical and Vocational education, and the State’s skill acquisition and microfinance schemes.

He said:“our Government sees the unemployment of young people as a challenge to be addressed and not as a license for young people to take to crime or to act outside the law”.

Restraint

The Governor equally appealed to the people to be patient with the Government, adding that while it acknowledges that many roads have been built, the administration is conscious of the fact that there are areas yet to be reached promising that as many roads as it could fund would be made motorable soon.

“Whenever these policies occasion discomfort, I appeal to you to see them as sincere efforts to make things better and urge you to bring forward your complaints for any redress that may be possible without seeking to take the laws into your own hands or interpreting those policies as being specifically targeted at any group. That is not our way,” he urged.

He pointed out that the administration’s decision making process had always and would remain driven by the consideration of what gives the greatest good to the greatest possible number of the people.
   
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe had congratulated the people of Lagos for making a convincing statement with their votes as the Action Congress of Nigeria Governorship candidate, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), recorded the largest number of votes nationwide.

The ceremony attracted many notables including former governors of the state, party faithful, traditional rulers and other stakeholders. 

Williams