(L-R) Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, Special Adviser to GovGov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday appealed to communities not to misuse government projects and assets in their localities, but to take ownership and protect them for the benefit of all.
Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, made the remark at a two-day leadership training for Lagos State Community Development Committees and Associations (CDCs).
The theme of the training was: “Inclusive Governance, a Catalyst for Sustainable Development’’.
He said that hostile attitude to government assets was a reflection of subject culture that prevailed under military rule when unelected and unaccountable government were the order of the day.
According to him, it was then a culture of protest and resistance.
“’With democratic rule in place, this training is necessary to usher in a new consciousness of collective responsibility.
“Government properties are no longer “their own’’ but “our own’’.
“Our communities must work together to improve the happiness of every family in the neighbourhood,’’ the governor said.
According to him, communities must resist those who seek to make their lives and properties insecure.
“It is a duty we owe to our children; it is a duty we must discharge,’’ he said.
Ambode urged the CDCs to support the government by taking ownership and protecting government projects and assets, so that people could use them for as long as possible.
“As we prepare to reconstruct the next 181 roads and other amenities to improve the standard of living of our people, we seek the support of our CDCs.
“The major landmarks in this journey of our all-inclusive government include to transfer the management of rural water projects, newly built roads, street lights and selected parks to the communities.
“These steps demonstrate our confidence in your managerial acumen and commitment to our goal of community development,’’ he said.
In his address, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, Special Adviser to the Governor on Communities and Communications, described the CDCs as the vanguard of development in the state.
Bamigbetan said that the training would make the CDCs aware of their responsibilities as partners to the state government in development.
Also speaking, Mr Kehinde Joseph, Special Adviser to the governor on Civic Engagement, urged community leaders to support the government to drive speedy development at the grassroots. (NAN)