Sanwo-Olu, Fashola, others call for collaboration between the executive and legislative
Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, former Minister of Works, Raji Fashola (SAN), and Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, have called for collaboration between the executive and legislative in order for Nigerians to feel the impact of democracy.
At the 18th Lagos State Executive and Legislative Parley with the theme ‘ Engaging All For Inclusive Governance: Hands on For A Greater Lagos Rising, held on Friday at Eko Convention Centre,
Sanwo-Olu said the current challenges Nigeria is facing can only be solved if the executive and legislative work together to build bridges.
“We have key roles to play as representatives of our people. We must make life better for our people and create an economy where people can breathe. We would continue to see that our collaboration and mutual understand creates direct benefits for our people. We owe it to the citizen to always show up for them,” Sanwo-Olu told the lawmakers
He added: “The present challenges call for higher dedication. We must rise up with a sense of urgency to solve them. All of us need to work together, both the private and public sectors to ensure our staff can live.
The governor said his administration had embarked on initiatives such as reduction on transfer fare on all BRT buses, payment of over N70billion pension liability, creation of food hubs among other programmes to cushion the effect of economic hardship on Lagosians.
On his part, Faahola urges political leaders ‘to make democracy work for our people ‘ Fashola noted that the people do not know why they vote in an election.
“People don’t really understand we are there for them. Sometimes they don’t know what they are voting for. The big issue is how to put more money in the hands of the people,” Fashola noted.
He added that for the government to show they have the interest of the people at heart, certain taxes and levies could be suspended for a few months while more money is put into projects such as repair and construction of roads.
Fashola also suggested a meeting between the government and small business owners to find out what the government can do to keep them in business.
Obasa, who was represented by the House majority leader, Noheem Adisa, said the parley signifies a deep commitment between the executive and legislative at building cordial relationships for the benefit of the state.
“It’s important for us as executive and legislative to meet our responsibility. We must recognise the power of unity. We should build bridges where there are divides to create resilient Lagos. Our differences are opportunities for growth,” Obasa said.
The Special Adviser, Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Abiodun Tajudeen, in his address noted that the synergy between the executive and legislature stands as a pivotal force behind Lagos’s monumental achievements, adding that the purpose of the parley was to further strengthen the bond.
The Chairman, Governance Advisory Council, GAC, Tajudeen Olusi, urged Mudashiru Obasa led Lagos House of Assembly to give utmost support to the executive.
” You must bring into focus the manifesto of our party and work together,” he admonished.
