Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged the South West Development Commission to justify its establishment by delivering tangible development across the region, saying the commission must move swiftly to address infrastructure and socio-economic challenges.
Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Thursday while receiving the commission’s management, led by its Chairman, Olubunmi Adetunmbi, on a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
The governor, who also chairs the South-West Governors’ Forum, pledged the support of governors in the region, saying they would work closely with the commission to ensure it succeeds.
“The essence of creating the commission is to bring meaningful development to the South-West. You can fast-track; you don’t have to work for a number of years to achieve what you need to achieve,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He urged the commission to ensure prudent use of available resources and align its programmes with national development priorities.
“Our objective should not be at variance with the national interest. Available resources must be properly utilised to deliver projects that will improve the lives of our people,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also challenged the commission to measure its performance against other regional development commissions across the country.
“You should compare notes with other commissions and replicate successful initiatives where necessary. Whatever I can do to ensure the commission does not fall behind in the comity of commissions, I will do, because to fall behind is an embarrassment.
“We are here to help make life better. It is a commission that has peer review, and you cannot afford not to do well,” he said.
The governor welcomed a proposal by the commission for South-West governors to serve as its advisory committee, describing the idea as beneficial to regional development.
He said he would discuss the proposal with his colleagues in the South-West Governors’ Forum.
Sanwo-Olu also pledged to provide office accommodation in Lagos to serve as the commission’s liaison office and assured it of the state’s continued support.
Earlier, Adetunmbi said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the commission and the governments of the six South-West states.
“The purpose of this visit is to extend courtesies to the governor of Lagos State as the chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum.
“It is a good starting point for the commission to familiarise itself with the managers of the states in the South-West, starting from Lagos,” he said.
According to him, discussions centred on areas where the commission and state governments could work together to accelerate development across the region.
“We explained the areas where we need assistance, which is to bring development to the South-West through collaboration and cooperation with the states that make up the zone.
“I believe this is a good starting point, and the governor has assured the commission of his support and that of the South-West states, so we can work together to solve problems in the interest of the people of the region,” Adetunmbi said.
