Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday said that constant parley and collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government was critical to effective governance.
Ambode said this at the 14th edition of the Lagos State Executive and Legislative Parley, with the theme: “Lagos, the Rise of a Mega City: A Collaboration that Works’’.
He said that such a parley would to help to evaluate the performance of government to keep the state on the part of development for the benefit of the people, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.
”This is the first and only sustaining forum where all elected and appointed leaders representing Lagos residents at the federal and state levels come together to positively direct the future of the state.
”We are here to tell ourselves the truth to ensure that we keep to our constitutional roles of making life better and meaningful for the people, ” he said.
Ambode said that the 2017 edition would focus on strong collaboration to make the smart city project of the state achievable.
”With the current happenings around the world, we are moving from mega to smart city state, and we need to guarantee that status via transportation, environmental, energy and revenue reforms.
”This collaboration will help us come up with a legal framework for reforms as well as attract investors for the development of Lagos and Nigeria at large.
” We are reaffirming our vision to make life better and more meaningful for the citizens, ” he said.
Ambode said that true federalism, restructuring and devolution of power remained the key to solving the nation’s challenges.
He commended the state’s representatives at the National Assembly for complementing the efforts of the state government.
In his lecture entitled “ Sustaining Political Relevance in the Hearts of the Electorate’’, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Leader, House of Representatives, urged political leaders to meet the needs of the electorate by keeping to campaign promises.
According to him, that is the way to sustain political relevance and people’s confidence.
”Political relevance is about performance and providing the dividends of democracy.
”As a legislator, ensure you make meaningful laws and as an executive, implement projects that will benefit and develop the people.
“These will win the hearts of the people, ” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, said that the collaboration was essential to make Lagos a smart state.
Obasa said that the Assembly collated views of members of the electorate from different constituencies at a stakeholders’ forum on how to chart the way forward for the state.
He urged the executive to consider the views of the people in the planning the state 2018 Budget.
Sen. Olugbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) urged the Federal Government to emulate Lagos State by having a platform where executives and the legislators could discuss and strategise to deliver good governance.
Sen. Olamilekan Adeola (Lagos West) pledged that Lagos State representatives would continue to protect the interests of the state in the National Assembly.