Ambode Swears In Sole Administrators For 57 LCDAs, Warns Against Graft

Ambode-Sole AdministratorsGovernor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday swore in Sole Administrators for the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state, with a warning to shun corruption.
The governor told the appointees at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Lagos House in Ikeja that it would no longer be business as usual as the people of the state and the government would be monitoring them.
He said that the government would not hesitate to remove any administrator who failed to serve the people diligently or abused the office.
“It will no longer be business as usual; rather, it will be a tough journey requiring character, leadership, commitment and resilience of those at the helm of affairs to actualise our dreams.
“Strict accountability must be your watchword. Lagosians will be watching you and we will be watching you too.
“Your appointment today as Sole Administrators should therefore be seen as a call to service of our people.
“You are relay runners on a journey of reform that will ultimately culminate in the election of accountable people that will carry on the baton of good governance for our people.
“For the duration of your race, I urge you to run the race efficiently with diligence so you do not betray the trust that has been placed in you”, Ambode said.
The governor said that a strict monitoring, control and feedback process would be put in place to ensure that there were no excesses or excuses.
He enjoined the appointees to make a difference to the lives of the people, share in their joys and pain, and reside among them.
“It is only through this symbiotic relationship that we can truly say we have begun to understand and serve our people”, Ambode said.
According to him, his administration is committed to local government reforms and is working hard to meet the yearnings of the people at the grassroots by providing them with basic amenities.
“We are dedicated to this and will deliver on our promise of a government of inclusion where no one is left behind”, he said.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, said the appointment was one of the steps aimed at preparing the Local Government Areas for the subsequent holding of elections.
Thanking the governor for their appointments, the Sole Administrator of Bariga LCDA, Sanya Osinjo, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, reassured Mr. Ambode that they would discharge their duties diligently.
It would be recalled that Gov. Ambode appointed new Sole Administrators on Saturday following his dissolution of the caretaker committees of the 57 councils.
The dissolution followed the resolution of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday relieving the Executive Secretaries of the LGs and LCDAs of their responsibilities.