Bill Signing

Lagos to Convene Special Retreat to Ratify All Key Projects

Feb 18, 2008 - Lagos State Government would soon convene a special retreat to consider and ratify all key projects identified by the State Government during the last state wide local government tour with a view to embarking on the immediate implementation.

This was disclosed by the State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday while signing the Community Development Association Bill 2008 into Law at the Governor’s conference room at Alausa.

Governor Fashola added that budgetary provision has been made for all the projects in the 2008 appropriation in line with the stand of the State Government to make the mandate given by the people to be worth the while.

In his words; “our responsibility is to work for you with our sweat, blood, talent and time. If we do not know what you want, it would be difficult to move forward”.

Governor Fashola added that the present administration clearly recognizes that only through a renewed and sustained commitment to enhancing the capacity of an increasing number of community based organizations (CBOs) and Non Governmental organizations (NGOs) in ;Lagos State, can the much needed social and economic development be attained.

In his words: “we equally believe that growth and development is attainable for our people, if local institutions and other partners in development can be enabled to take up the very increasing challenges of development through proper identification and communication of needs, through self-help projects, from a ‘bottom up’ perspective.
He described the occasion as another landmark in the annals of the state which would ultimately position the Community Development Associations to participate effectively in the development process.

The Governor informed that the numerous community development Associations in Lagos State are being encouraged by the instrumentality of the new Law to look inwards for its financing needs and for Self help project.

He also encouraged them to serve as good ambassadors of their respective communities, by assisting in monitoring government projects and offering effective feedback at the same time to the government.

Governor Fashola added that the new law would make the CDA’s more effective, responsible, responsive, accountable and development focused while acting as agents of change.

The Community Development Associations are expected to contribute their own quota to community policing through the instrumentality of the Neighbourhood Watchers and community based security agents and generally playing a critical role of catalyst in the rapid transformation of the state, Governor Fashola enthused.

Governor Fashola explained that no society can function effectively or sustain itself without the rule of law, saying law and order are imperatives for the survival of human communities.

He said every law passed would be publicly signed into law with a view to creating awareness so that when enforcement of such law commences, people would not feign ignorance of the law.

Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser of Legislative and Political Matters Mr AbdulLateef Abdul Hakeem said the signing into law of the Community Development Bill is a process of strengthening legislative awareness in the State.

Mr Abdul Hakeem said the new law would regulate the activities and operation of all Community Development Associations in the State.