Buhari: FG will Continue to Support Lagos

• Says Nigerian economy will soon recover Inaugurates N1.85bn security equipment

Gboyega Akinsanmi

President Muhammadu Buhari monday said the federal government would continue to support Lagos State Government to actualise several strategic projects it had initiated in the state.

The president also inaugurated security equipment which the state government purchased for security agencies at a cost of N1.85 billion, noting that Lagos during Governor Akinwunmi Ambode government “has continued to maintain its leading role in delivering good governance to the people.”

He made the remark after inaugurating the State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Rescue Unit in Oshodi, security equipment at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and Ago Palace Way in Okota.

Buhari, who was represented at the events by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, promised that the federal government would continue to support the state government.

He noted that the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Lagos-Kano and Lagos-Calabar rail lines “are projects embedded in the 2016 budget which will benefit the State immensely.”

The president noted that the state government surely “deserves commendation for the good work he is doing, it is what other governors should also emulate to make life better for people. The federal government would continue to support Lagos in every way possible.”

He said now that the state was being governed by the same party as the federal government, there should be no excuse for Lagos “not to get the support it deserves from the federal government. Lagos State must benefit even more than before.”

The president assured Nigerians that the biting economic situation in Nigeria would soon be a thing of the past, citing measures that the federal government had taken to ensure economic recovery.

He said the presidency was aware of the prevailing hardship in the land but added that these difficulties “are sign of great future. This country is going high and is going to be a great nation indeed.”

Buhari said a lot “has happened in the past that is causing the hardship that is presently being experienced in country, but that everyone must be prepared to ensure that Nigeria gets out of economic doldrums.

“This country is going to be a nation where there will be abundance and prosperity but there are teething problems. There is a lot of repairs to be done, there is a lot of re-adjustment, there is a lot that we have to do to ensure that our country becomes the kind of country that we really want it to be.”

While handing over security equipment at the Tafawa Balewa Square, the president said it was a testament to the premium Ambode’s administration placed on safety of lives and property of its citizenry.

He said: “I have also seen already so much attention being paid to security, and just earlier on, we were at the LASEMA rescue operation unit which we just inaugurated.

“Also, we are about to inaugurate several security equipment donation to the police and security agencies. In fact, virtually all the security agencies including Imigrations, Customs and NDLEA are to benefit from this latest gift of the state government.”

He said the state government was blazing the trail with several commendable projects, including the two roads being constructed in each of the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas of the state.
Buhari said: “I must also say that I am impressed with the fact that the whole effort at security is an integrated one and so we have the Light up Lagos being an important component of that whole effort.

“I want to say that the governor of this state deserves our commendation and all of the praise and support that he is getting. With this special rescue unit, it is evident that we have moved a notch higher. There is no question at all that this facility is a world class facility.”

Also speaking, Ambode said aside the initial goal to significantly bring down response time by responders, the state government is working tirelessly to roll out dispatch centres across key areas within the state with the goal of further reducing response times.

He said the vehicles and equipment would be distributed among the 107 police stations and 13 Police Area Commands in the state, and all the security agencies would also be beneficiaries of the equipment.