Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday hosted members of the Nigerian Bar Association from the Ikeja Branch and the Law Week Planning Committee of the Lagos Branch, charging members of the Bar to speak up against the culture of impunity.
The Governor who spoke at the Courtesy Call Room of the Lagos House, Ikeja noted that the responsibility to speak for process and due diligence lies more with members of the Bar who must always ensure that things are done only because they are right.
“Sometimes the process is as important as the result itself. How was it done? Was it done with impunity which could take away a lot from it or was it done according to process? The responsibility to speak up for process and diligence lies more with us. We are supposed to know”.
Commending some of the topics listed for discussion during the on- going Law Week of the Lagos Branch of the NBA, Governor Fashola declared:“That takes me to some of the serious issues proposed to be raised by the Lagos Branch of the Bar Association at its Law Conference week. I think they are serious issues that speak to the challenge of today and I hope members and non-members will participate fully. The bigger burden lie on us members of the Bar to lead by example and I hope that not only would we talk about these things but would do something about it if everyone leaves those conferences and meetings with a resolve to do the little that he or she can do”.
The State Governor thanked the members of the Ikeja Branch and Lagos Branch for the support they have always given to the State Government though it is one that is defined by principles and belief that the right things will be done.
He was also appreciative of the Chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the NBA for reminding him about some of the places where the services of the state government are being awaited especially UNILAG Estate which Mr Ubani mentioned, explaining that the needs of the ever growing population of the State have continuously outstrip the resource just as it also outstrips the capacity.
Speaking specifically on the UNILAG Estate, the Governor said despite the passage of the 2013 Budget, the State Government has slated two out of the four major roads in the area for rehabilitation adding that certain basic infrastructure constitutes continuous engagements which cannot finish in the life of any administration
“Roads are perishable assets. If you fix them, after their life cycle, they will fall into the need to be maintained or rebuilt. We don’t commit to projects only because they are projects that will finish. If we begin to look at project development in the way of what we can finish, we shortchange the state”.
He reiterated that the present administration earmarked 450 roads as its target when it assumed office for the second term, adding that in 2012, 160 were awarded while a total of 70 have been awarded thus far this year which comes to about half of what the government promised.
He added that as more are completed, newer ones will be embarked upon and explained that the decision on which road comes first in terms of getting government attention is often decided in terms of roads that are more traffic bearing and strategic to conveying more people to their various destinations.
“It is of no use building a road to my personal house and leaving the one that will carry buses that will convey passengers. We are looking at things beyond us so that new team can take over and that would be the basis for decision making when the time comes to say we started this and we are better able to finish it because we understand it better. We only take on as much as we can and confined to a budget size every year”.
Giving a rapid overview of some of the on- going road projects, Governor Fashola said quite a lot of work is going on in different parts of the State. “Some bridges have been completed. The bridge over the Ejigbo Canal has been substantially completed and what is left now is the road work. The piling work on the Isheri- Ijegun- Isolo Bridge has also been completed and involved pilings that are up to the depth of 70 metres with several hundreds of pilings to be installed there.
“It is only when we finish that kind of serious work that we can complete the roadwork. The Bridge at Mile 12 Agiliti has been finished too. The one in Tedi, we had some problems there and we had to change contractor. There is so much going on but would only have meaning when they are finished. Very few people knew we were building the Ikoyi –Lekki Link Bridge until it was completed”, he stated.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr Monday Ubani had commended Governor Fashola for redefining the parameters of good governance through the changes he has made in the handling of the affairs of the state.
He said members of the Bar appreciate what the Governor is doing especially in terms of infrastructure, adding that he has become a good ambassador for the legal profession and that tomorrow the association can encourage other lawyers who aspire to public office because a member like the Governor has left an inspiring record.
He appealed to the Governor to assist in ensuring a completion of the Bar Centre in Ikeja as well as assisting the Federal High Court in Ikeja to make it functional, adding that the Governor should ensure alongside his colleagues in the evolving All Progressive Congress (APC) that the party fields only very credible candidates in the next general elections.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Law Week Conference of the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs Tolani Adeola- Edu commended the Governor for the good work he has been doing since he was elected as Governor of Lagos State and invited him to be part of the week long activities lined up to commemorate the Law Week of the Lagos Branch while also requesting his financial support to ensure the success of the various programmes.
The Governor was joined by the Deputy Governor, Hon (Mrs) Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire and members of the State Executive Council including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaiye, Commissioners for Home Affairs and Culture, Hon Oyinlomo Danmole, Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Ademorin Kuye Special Adviser on Central Business Districts, Mrs Derin Disu and Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba while those on the entourage of the Lagos Branch of the NBA included the Chairman, Mr Taiwo Taiwo, the Secretary, Mr Felix Muoka, Mr Victor Ihekweazu, Chief (Mrs) Toyin Ogunbambi, Mrs Morenike Obi-Farinde and member of the NBA Law Planning Committee, Mr Moyo Onigbanjo while those on the entourage of the Ikeja Branch include Vice Chairman, Carol Ibeh, Treasurer, Mrs. Carol Ibhaunefe, Welfare Secretary, Mr Samson Omodara, Publicity Secretary, Mrs Memuna Esegine and Assistant General Secretary, Mr Gbenga Ajayi among others.