FULL ADDRESS DELIVERED BY GOV BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU OF LAGOS ON Feb. 18, 2023
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE TODAY 18th February, 2023
Fellow Lagosians,
1. This address is necessary in view of the ongoing situation
in the country, regarding the change of currency notes and
the attendant hardships being faced by ordinary Lagosians.
2. First, let me thank you the good people of Lagos for your
patience and unwavering perseverance even in these
challenging times.
3. My fellow Lagosians, this is a heartfelt call to you, as your
Governor, to please remain calm at this time, and avoid all
forms of violence, arson and rioting. Even in the face of the
difficulties and frustrations being faced by all, violence and
destruction should not and will never be the answer.
4. We have noticed with dismay the rampant incidents
surrounding some of the players in the financial services
value chain (POS Agents/Operators); as well as petrol
station attendants who have taken the current challenges
to mean an opportunity to extort hard working and law
abiding Lagosians with extortionate service charges on
funds withdrawal and sale of PMS.
5. Let me appeal to those involved in such behavior to desist
from such sharp practices. It is especially in difficult times like these that we all need to be our brothers’ and sisters’
keeper and do everything we can to contribute to lessening
the hardships faced by our fellow Lagosians. This is not the
period to sacrifice empathy, compassion, and humanity on
the altar of profit making.
6. To my good people of Lagos, please resist the opportunists
who seek to take advantage of the anger and frustration
that you all are feeling to hijack the situation and foment
trouble.
7. We know that there are unscrupulous persons who want to
sow seeds of violence and discord by their very utterances
and actions, all with the view of robbing you of the chance
to cast your votes in the February 25 Presidential and
National Assembly elections. Do not allow them to use you
to achieve their evil intentions.
8. There is no justification whatsoever for attacking public or
private property. The law enforcement agents have
received clear instructions to take full control and ensure
zero tolerance for any and all acts of arson, violence and destruction
9. I enjoin all law-abiding Lagosians to carry out their lawful
activities without fear.
10. As a government that fully understands the challenges
that you are faced with, with regards to access to cash, we
are working very hard to provide palliative measures to
lessen the burdens being faced.
11. As part of these measures, I have already approved an
immediate reduction in transportation charges for publicowned transport, across the Lagos State public transport
system: our buses, ferries and taxis.
12. We are also equally in discussion with private transport
operators not to hike fares at this point of time, given the
difficult circumstances in which many Lagosians find
themselves.
13. We have also since commenced the distribution of food
packs, to the most vulnerable citizens, the people most
impacted by this disruption in the supply of cash. We will
continue to highlight more vulnerable groups within our
distribution channels who would benefit from the palliatives s we scale up the rollout of these palliatives, we ask for
your continued patience and understanding. Remain calm
and go about your lawful activities and duties.
15. The Lagos State Government under my watch will
continue to stand by, with and for the ordinary people of
Lagos.
16. Let me, at this juncture, also thank the Police and other
security agencies/operatives that have been working round
the clock to maintain the peace, law and order in our State
– we owe you a debt of gratitude. May I also use this
opportunity to ask you not to relent in your efforts at
continuing to keep the peace in and around the metropolis.
17. I thank you all for listening.
18. God bless Lagos State, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu
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