Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has admonished members of the management of the South West Development Commission to live up to expectations by bringing meaningful development to the zone.
He said that was the essence of creating the commission.
Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke yesterday when members of the commission’s management visited him at the State House, Alausa.
The team was led by its chairman, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi.
Sanwo-Olu, who is the chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum, said he and other South West governors would collaborate with the commission to ensure that resources are available for it to work with and urged the agency to ensure that available resources are well utilised, just as it reminded the commission that its objective should not be at variance with the national interest.
He charged the commission to be up and doing by swinging into action immediately: “You can fast-track, you don’t have to work for several years to achieve what you need to achieve.” He challenged them to compete with other commissions across the country.
Sanwo-Olu added that whatever he can do to ensure the commission is not lagging, he would do, saying, “Whatever I can do to ensure the commission does not fall behind in the comity of commissions, I will do it, because to fall behind is an embarrassment. We are here to help make life better. We have to charge you because it is a commission that has peer review; you cannot afford not to do well.”
He also urged them to compare notes with commissions in other regions, and to reciprocate any good projects executed there.
Responding to the commission’s request that the South West governors serve as an advisory committee to it, Sanwo-Olu said it is a welcome development and that he would pass the message to his colleagues.
He also assured the commission that the state government would provide an office for it, serving as a liaison and rendering all necessary assistance to ensure its success.
Adetunmbi, in his message, said they decided to visit Sanwo-Olu, the Chairman of the South West governors’ forum, and look at areas where the South West governors can collaborate with the commission.
While fielding questions from journalists after the visit, Senator Adetunmbi said, “The purpose of this visit is to extend courtesies to the governor of Lagos State as the Chairman of the South West governors. It is a good starting point for the commission to familiarise itself with the state managers in the South West, beginning with Lagos.