Press Releases

Lagos Micro Credit Institution Set Up To Cater For All – Fashola
…Assures Tejuosho traders at 900 Days in Office interaction with informal Sector Operators

Nov 14, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Saturday assured the people of Lagos State that the State Micro Credit Institution (LASMI) is positioned to provide micro credit facilities to all people irrespective of standing, if they apply for it.

According to Governor Fashola who spoke at the Governor’s Forum organized to mark his 900 day in office as Governor of Lagos State with the theme “Increasing the Efficiency of the Informal Sector for a Vibrant Economy” held at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja, it is only the association and groups of people who have applied for micro credit from the organization that have so far benefitted from it.

Governor Fashola while taking questions from operators in the informal sector spoke against the background of allegations by the President of the Association of Artisans and Tradesmen in Lagos State, Engineer Bola Sanusi that the members have not benefitted from the loans of LASMI.

According to Governor Fashola, the fact that taxi drivers in the state have accessed the loan is a pointer to the reality that if indeed any of the artisan groups have applied and fulfilled the conditions, the loans would be granted.

He added that he has personally handed over cheques for micro credit loans to some beneficiaries at the same venue in the recent past.

He advised that members of the public should always realize that those who agreed to serve should be commended rather than being vilified especially when unverifiable allegations are being made in the public domain.

Governor Fashola who responded to questions on various issues said the State is planning to establish enterprise zones in Ibeju Lekki, Otto Awori and Ikorodu, adding through the zones, the government would accommodate all artisans and provide dedicated power supply to them.

The Lagos State Governor, who said the forum is an example of democracy in action, added that there is no state in the federation where a 100day account of stewardship is consistently rendered as it is done in Lagos.

While responding to a question on the effect of flash flooding often misconstrued as flooding in some parts of the State, Governor Fashola prayed that the State does not witness the type of devastation which flooding has wreaked in the Philippines and other parts of the world. He added that science has shown that there is an increasing level of rainfall all over the world, stressing that with Lagos being a coastal state, rainfall is a usual occurrence and urged the media to partner with the Government to enlighten the populace.

He also charged the people to change their attitudes in terms of the environment because each time people trade on the streets and deposit some of the bye products of the sales on the streets; it ends up in the drains and blocks it.

The Governor explained that with rains, the farmers are all smiling in Lagos, stressing that what usually happens in Lagos is flash flooding which usually disappears after some hours.

Said he: “Go home and know that without rains, we are all endangered. We need the rains for food production and the dams. We have to be patient. It is a process. We have dredged the canal and cleared the drains. Anybody who does not want rain should go to the desert”.

On allegations that officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) have been highhanded in dealing with members of the public, the Governor said the state is always engaging in training and retraining of the operatives for better operation.

But reacting to the description of Street trading as being a “minor offence”, the Governor said no offence should be regarded as being minor, stressing that when people sell on the highways, they prevent motorists from getting to their destinations on time.

He added that every time a needless hour is spent on the road, it contributes to shortening the lifespan of an individual by being a causative factor for illnesses like stroke, stress and diabetes.

The Governor urged all traders to ensure that their stalls are located behind the drains and not on the drains.

Governor Fashola explained that the state as a matter of policy does not violate the rights of the citizens and has also provided means of seeking redress such as the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) and the People’s Advice Centre for those who seek it when their rights are trampled upon.

The Lagos State helmsman said the state will regulate the activities of sand dredgers and diggers in the state, because apart from its effect on the environment, the dredgers were responsible for damaging the Ajah-Badore Road which cost the state about N9Bilion to reconstruct after being destroyed by heavy duty vehicles dredging in the area.

On allegations that Tejuosho might become a market for the rich traders, the Governor assured that he would take the most acceptable decision on the allocations of stalls at the market, urging the traders to also take advantage of LASMI to pay through mortgage for the stalls at Tejuosho.

He asked the artisans, especially mechanics and vulcanizers to consider a collaboration which would ensure that they work together and to also embrace the mobile workshop technique which is well accepted overseas.

On fears by automobile technicians that Government plans to relocate them from their various mechanic village sites after making it habitable, the Governor said the technicians can remain at their various locations pending when work would be completed on the enterprises zones.

He commended vulcanizers in the state for volunteering to provide free pressure check for all motorists in the state, a day before Sallah and Christmas, adding that he would investigate if tyres can be used for other purposes after being used and worn out.

In his presentation, the Managing Director of Lagos State Micro Credit Initiative, Mr Gbolahan Bakare said the organization is prepared and ready to provide credit facilities to members of the public especially those who seek the facility of the institution.

Also present at the occasion were the Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Sosan, Chairman of the Action Congress in Lagos State, Chief Henry Ajomale, members of the State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, members of the informal and formal sectors of the economy, Traditional rulers as well other top government functionaries.