Press Releases

Will To Embrace Change Key To National Development – Fashola
…As Governor addresses Yoruba Tennis Club, Island Club members on Christmas Eve

Dec 24, 2011 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) at the weekend enjoined Nigerians to embrace change pointing out that it is the only means to overcome the numerous challenges confronting the nation.

Governor Fashola, who spoke at the 2011 Christmas Eve Dance of the Yoruba Tennis Club and Island Club respectively, insisted that if Nigerians find the will to change things they do not accept, all the problems confronting the country would be a thing of the past.

He told members of the Clubs, "I do not think that we lack the ability to do what is right or change what we do not accept. What I think is lacking is the will to do so", adding that in all the instances where this will has been found, challenges confronting the country had been overcome.

Calling for a revaluation of values, beliefs, attitudes and choices among the people, Governor Fashola declared, "As the year comes to an end, it provides an opportunity for deep reflection and stocktaking. It calls us to ask what we can do better so that we can be bigger beneficiaries of this commonwealth".

"I believe that we must accept that we can all do a lot better about the place we call home than we have done today. I make these observations in the light of recent developments and responses to policies that we are enunciating to make life better", the Governor said.

Governor Fashola, who cited a number of personal examples, said while it is inherent in human nature to resist it, change is the only thing that is permanent in life.According to the Governor, the daily demands and aspirations for better roads, better health care, better education, better electricity and water supply are inherent demands for change, adding that certain things must necessarily be given up to get something better.

Governor Fashola explained that in the process of achieving the desired change some level of discomfort will be experienced from which will emerge comfort and greater benefits for all noting that it is also the undeniable responsibility of government to minimize the discomfort along the way.

Citing a number of practical examples, Governor Fashola recalled the video Slum Sweepers which documented the relocation of people from Ofin and Olowogbowo areas in central Lagos to Shitta in Surulere to make way for the construction of Eko Bridge noting that people protested then but anyone could imagine what could have happened if the bridge had not been built then.

The Governor also cited the initial discomforts and complaints which greeted the construction of Awolowo Road and Onikan by the administration of former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the hue and cry which accompanied such landmark initiatives like the cleaning of Oshodi and the creation of dedicated lanes for the Bus Rapid Transist System which has today recorded over 20 million passengers in addition to becoming a continental transportation model at the World Bank.

Another example, according to the Governor, which involved sacrifice on the part of concerned stakeholders that had to be relocated like the Judiciary Store house was, the recently commissioned Ikeja Shopping Mall where one of the 94 stores employed 300 people on its first day of operation.

Governor Fashola reiterated that decisions in government are not taken on the basis of his preferences as an individual but on the basis of what is good and right and what will give the greatest good to the greatest number.

While acknowledging that there would be people who would disagree with some of the policies of government, the Governor said the State has responsibility to make them understand adding that people in government would equally be affected by such policies and programmes if not now, after leaving office.

Governor Fashola who also used the opportunity to clarify his position on a number of issues which he recently spoke on but which were not accurately reported in the media said when he declared at a Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility that companies must be just before being generous, it was misreported that he demanded a probe of the companies. The Governor, however, insisted, "the truth is that all I have said are part of the many laws that our country made. I was only doing my job and complying with the oath I swore before God and all of you to defend the Constitution and every law made under it".

Governor Fashola, who said the only time a company operating in the State could claim to be socially responsible is when it has enthroned a proper culture of corporate governance, earned its money legitimately and paid its taxes, declared, "What is offensive in asking a company to spend money to ensure it does not pollute the environment and affect our health, instead of allowing it to first pollute our drinking water and source of fishing only to turn round and say that it is donating a borehole to us with all the benefit of publicity as if it has done us a favour."

He noted that it may not be popular to insist on the truth always but added, "This is the truth. I cannot stop saying it. It is the only way I know. It may not be popular to do so but I choose change and a better quality of life for my people, for my State and for my country far above any popularity that keeping silent will bring".

"We have shied away for too long from confronting the truth that we have suffered more than we need to", the Governor said adding that it was better to confront the truth than seek cheap popularity.

On the issue of Withholding Tax, Governor Fashola who debunked the insinuation in some quarters that he was on a collision course with a section of the society when he announced that there would be enforcement of the collection of the taxes explained, "Withholding Tax is not a new tax. It is part of income tax. It is not double taxation. It means only that when your final assessment is done at the end of the tax year, what you have paid as Withholding Tax is deducted and if there is any balance that is all you will pay".

Governor Fashola insisted that his administration, without the benefit of derivation, deserves not only support but commendation "for having the audacity to dream big and find a fair and legitimate way to get everybody to contribute by paying taxes so that the burden is shared by many and not borne by a few".

"Perhaps, we should cast our minds back to the beginning when my predecessor, Governor Tinubu, started this journey in 1999; the annual budget of Lagos State was N17.662 billion. This year, the budget estimate have increased to N490.605 billion which is about 2, 778 percent increase", the Governor said adding that in spite of the large fiscal spending, the demands still exceeded the available resources.

He continued, "Let us pause to imagine what life will be if we had kept to a budget of N17 billion since 1999. There will certainly be a lot more that will have been left undone. But by being courageous, creative and far sighted, and through collective sacrifice by payment of taxes, we are seeing traffic lights, street lights, police vehicles, street sweepers, new roads, bridges, ferries, rail construction, new schools, hospitals and so many more".

"How else could we have provide these without collective contribution?", the Governor asked pointing out that South South State, with a population far less than Lagos State's 18 million people, with 13 percent Derivation from oil, has a budget of N427 billion for 2012.

He thanked members of the Clubs for their support of the Action Congress of Nigeria at the last general elections and the Local Government elections adding, For those who were opposed to us, I also thank you. Your opposition enriched the democratic process by providing an alternative and a choice. It challenged us to prove that we were the better party and I believe the results of the election and the progress being made in our State has vindicated us".

Earlier, in his Christmas Message, Chairman of Yoruba Tennis Club, Brother Bolaji Cole prayed that God would continue to use Governor Fashola to better the lives of the people of Lagos describing his re-election as "a position well deserved by you and indeed a blessing to the people of Lagos State that we have you at the helm of affairs in the State of Excellence". At the Island Club the Governor and his entourage were treated to a rousing reception by the Chairman , Alhaji Hakeem Gbolahan Awe and other officers.

Prominent among those who were in the entourage of the Governor were the Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, the Chief of Staff, Mr. Lanre Babalola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce and Industry, Mr. Seye Oladejo, his Taxation and Revenue counterpart, Mr. Abimbola Sodipo, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadaje, his Agriculture and Cooperatives counterpart, Prince Gbolahan Lawal as well as Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed. Both events were also attended by traditional rulers, members of the National Assembly representing Lagos , members of the State House of Assembly, Elder statesmen and prominent Lagosians from all walks of life.