Corporate Lagos endorses Ambode’s security, judicial reform plans
THE quest of the Lagos State
Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to reform the security and judicial sectors
received a massive boost on Thursday as individuals and corporate organisations
made commitments in cash and kind towards ensuring a safer and more secured
Lagos.
At a dinner put together by the
Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) members of the corporate world and
respected members of the society, lauded the strides of Governor Ambode in the
last two months as well as his plans to upgrade the security network in the
state, affirming their commitment to continue to support the government’s
strides to make Lagos safer.
At the event, over One billion Naira
was realised from cash donations from various corporate organisations and
individuals while others made commitments to provide security patrol vehicles
and gadgets as well as technical know-how. Governor Ambode in his remarks, said
that his administration remain committed towards evolving new strategies to
effectively police Lagos and rid the state from all forms of criminal
activities.
He said his administration was
already thinking of overhauling its security apparatus to be able to rise up to
the evolving trends of crime in the state. “Right now we have just about
33,000 people policing us and we’re about 20 million. So, if you combine other
forces, the Fire Service, LASTMA and Ambulance service, it might bring the
number to about 40,000 of them as against 20 million people”.
“I can admit we lack the right technology.
We don’t have a holistic approach to coordinate everything that we are doing
and then we don’t have the security management that Lagos actually needs, so we
are under policed and we are not getting the right technology to be able to say
that Lagos is secured. We must now integrate men, equipment and technology to
keep Lagos safer”, he said.
“So technically, Lagos state
government, the Police and other security agencies have analog technology right
now, there is no interface amongst all of us. So we need to migrate to digital
for improved information dissemination”, he affirmed.
The Governor lauded the private
sector contribution to the LSSTF in the last seven years, which he put at a
total of N4billion, while the state government has contributed about N8billion
to the fund.
He said commencing from next year, a
Lagos State Awards of Excellence will be held annually to recognise and certify
individuals and companies who have been selfless about issues affecting Lagos.
Governor Ambode however said the state
government was not resting on its oars, revealing that in the last 60 days, his
administration has been fashioning new strategies to enhance security.
He also unveiled plans to strengthen
the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) as well as establish an integrated security and
emergency control platform, such that the control and command centre in Alausa
will have an interface with other security networks through the surveillance
cameras which will be provided.
“It is in my interest that I drive
the business of making Lagos safer and it’s also in my interest that you join
hands with me to succeed in this”, the Governor said.
Among those present at the dinner
include President of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Alike Dangote, Managing
Director, Zenon Oil, Mr. Femi Otedola, Chairman, Zenith Bank Group, Mr. Jim
Ovia, Chairman, Heirs Holdings Limited, Mr. Tony Elumelu, top Executives of
financial institutions and firms, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu 1, Deputy
Governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule and Chairman, Lagos State
Security Trust Fund, Mr. Remi Makanjuola.
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