Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday formally provided a platform for ordinary Nigerians and organizations at home and abroad to make contributions to the State Security Trust Fund by launching the Fund’s website with an e-donation payment engine and the Citizens’ Contributory Security Scheme.
The Governor who spoke at the Martinos Events Centre at Alausa, during the Third Town Hall meeting on security added that the new scheme would broaden the Fund’s ownership and attract a wider participation of citizens and businesses of all social and economic levels.
The Governor who declared that past investments in the Fund has been worthwhile as every indicator has shown that crime has reduced considerably and called on those who have contributed before to do so again in the collective interest of the society just as he charged those who are yet to contribute but whose improved security could be said to have subsidized by those who have donated to do so now in the collective interest of all.
“All of you owe a bounden duty to contribute to the Fund. You may not know it, but under-resourced as they are, it is the committed men of the Navy, Army and Police supported by the Trust Fund, who have been watching your back, sometimes at the cost of their lives”,.
He also made a special advocacy in particular to the tank farm owners, the NNPC, the NPA and all agencies engaged in economic activity around Apapa and the Atlas Cove that they owe it a duty to contribute to the fund.
He urged the people to always call on the emergency toll free numbers 767 and 121 anytime they are in distress situations, promising that the personnel manning the call centres would always pass such vital information to the first responders.
“You need to give back. We are not unaware of the current situation in both the financial and petroleum markets but history has shown us that it is at times such as these that true patriots rise up to the challenge and fill the breach, and I urge you all to show the true and positive spirit of Lagosians in donating to the Fund”, Governor Fashola added.
The Lagos State Governor added that: “No country has ever been able to get away with reducing spending on law enforcement and security or with reducing the size of its Police Force no matter how effective they may be”.
He explained that the Lagos State Government on its part has committed over N3billion to the Fund and that just two weeks ago, the Conference of Local Government Council Development Area Chairmen donated 114 patrol vehicles to the State Police Command with the pledge of another ten APC for the command.
He said it was instructive that the 114 patrol vehicles was donated by the collective efforts of the 57 Local Governments and Council Development areas of Lagos State, adding that it is the same 57 Local Governments that some people would not want to exist.
Said he: “We must upgrade and increase our fleet of vehicles, we must procure more and nimbler APCs for the various Area Commands must maintain our emergency call centres and upgrade their capacity
We need more ballistic kit for the men and more guns and ammunition. We need money for fuelling and maintenance of assets especially in the area of vehicles, boats and communication”.
Lagos State helmsman also revealed that two helicopters recently purchased by the State Government from abroad for emergency evacuation, aerial security survey and quick response to security situations will soon arrive for the use of the Police.
He promised that the present administration is resolute to outspend, out fund and out march the competition by all those who seek to make criminality a way of life, adding that with the support of the people, the Police would be fast and efficient in achieving the task.
Governor Fashola reiterated that it is only a matter of time before State Police becomes operational in Nigeria, charging all Nigerians to have the courage to do what is right in terms of operation and legalization of State Police.
“Why can’t a State with its State High Courts, Fire services and Hospitals, Universities not have a State Police. Why are we afraid of ourselves in terms of probable misuse. The success of Lagos State with LSSTF is an example of what can happen if the Police is supported”.
On his description as not been a politician, Governor Fashola said he would rather be a politician in the mould of people like late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, President Barak Obama, Mr Bill Clinton all of who have used public office for public good and not political jobbers who do nothing but grandstand on all issues.
Earlier, while giving an account of how the Police has fared under the Security Trust Fund initiative, Commissioner of Police, Marvel Akpoyibo said Lagos State has witnessed a very considerable reduction in the incidence of armed robbery attacks and crime generally, just as it has been made very hot for kidnappers.
Mr Akpoyibo explained that due to the improved security in the state, more industries are relocating to the State just as more job seekers are also coming into the state for better job opportunities.
He said that the command is still facing some constraints in terms of inadequacy of arms, ammunitions, operational tools like base stations, walkie-talkies, patrol vehicles and boats for the waterways.
While giving a report of the board of trustees, the Executive Secretary of LSSTF, Mr Fola Arthur Worrey said as at September 1, 2009, the fund has a balance of N175.9Million in its bank accounts.
He said only a few of the retail companies whose activities are responsible for a deluge of street traders in most areas in most areas of the state and fast foods outlets whose activities also attract a convergence of people at various fun spots all over the city and are morally bound to support the initiative have contributed to the Fund.
Mr Arthur Worrey added that it is the belief of the Fund that the display of corporate social responsibility by contributors will encourage others to contribute to the Fund.
He said the transparent donation boxes would be available at the banking halls of financial institutions where people can donate their widow’s mite.
The Chairman of the board of Trustees of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Remi Makanjuola in his address of welcome, congratulated Governor Fashola (SAN) the private sector, law enforcement agencies and the board and management of the fund for a job fairly well done.
He said the donation online and citizens contribution scheme will enable all citizens irrespective of their age, social status, financial capacity or circumstance to donate whatever they are able to give to the fund.
He explained that the initiatives are designed to increase ownership, build awareness and spread the financial burden, thus hopefully ensuring the longevity of the initiative.
In his comments at the occasion, a former Commissioner for Police in Lagos, Mr Fulani Kwajafa commended Governor Fashola for introducing what he described as “the best security initiative in the country”.
He urged other States in the Federation to emulate Lagos State in the security initiative towards ridding the State of criminal elements and also donated four security lights worth Four Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N400,00.00) to the Trust Fund.
Other contributors who spoke at the event commended Governor Fashola for his initiative in setting up the LSSTF, adding that Lagos is the better for it.
Governor Fashola later logged into the e-donation website of the LSSTF where he made a donation.
The event was attended by dignitaries like the Doyen of Accountancy profession in Nigeria, Mr Akintola Williams, Chancellor of the Lagos State University, Chief Molade Okoya Thomas, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Oyefusi Oyetade, Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi 1, members of the Organised Private Sector heads of the security formations in the State and senior Police officers.
