Lagos seeks partnership with civil society for service delivery, projects execution

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Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

Accurate data critical to development, says commissioner

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday expressed his willingness to partner with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to enhance service delivery, and execute people-oriented programmes and projects in the state

He charged the CSOs to contribute to policy-making process as the state government continues to collaborate, build alliances and encourage partnership in its policies.

Special Adviser to the governor on Civic Engagement, Kehinde Joseph said this yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting with CSOs with the theme: Stand Up For Someone’s Right Today: Be Your Neighbour’s Watcher.

He said the days when government institutions were always at loggerhead with CSOs were gone, adding that Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), CSOs and government must work together to ensure effective service delivery to the people, particularly the vulnerable in society.

Joseph added that government alone could not deliver on its mandate without the assistance of stakeholders, stressing that CSOs as the voice of the voiceless, should leverage on their advantage to call government’s attention to societal ills whenever there are breaches.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Kayode Oguntimehin said government and CSOs should continue to be partners in progress. Special Assistant to the Governor on Civil Engagement, Taiwo Aiyedun promised that the state government will continue to engage CSOs in discussions and issues that would move the state forward.

However, Civil Society Groups at the occasion stressed the need for the state government to be more humane in its development strides.They cited the instance of demolition of shanties across the state and urged the state government to always provide alternative shelter for victims of demolition exercises.

Meanwhile, the state government yesterday said adequate data remains critical to efficient planning and execution of policies and programmes that would help to enhance the people’s quality of life.

Speaking with a delegation of the Nigeria Statistical Association (NSA) who visited the state government, Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pension, Akintola Benson said adequate data remains critical to development.

The delegation led by the Second Vice President of the NSA, Olusanya Olubusoye and former Statistician General of the Federation, Oladejo Ajayi, was to intimate the state government about its forthcoming international conference scheduled for September 6 to September 8, 2017.Benson assured that the state government would partner with the NSA and support the conference to ensure its success.