12th November, 2012
The Lagos State Government has disclosed that it will spend N984 million in providing 140 transformers to light up rural communities in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi said this at a dinner organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Amuwo–Odofin Local Government in commemoration of the 2012 community day celebration.
He described the gesture as part of the government’s efforts at ensuring that citizens enjoy the dividends of democracy.
He also urged residents to pay attention to the security of their areas. Ojelabi said the provision of the transformers will improve the economic activities in the rural areas and improve the living standard of the people
According to him, “My ministry is particularly impressed with the efforts of these wonderful people who have continued to uphold the tenent of our great party which is service to humanity and justice to all by championing any programme of the ministry designed to bring succour to the rural populace, particularly in the area of maintenance and sustenance of the ministry’s developmental projects at the grassroots as well as security surveillance.”
He explained that while some of the local government chairmen had commenced implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage to the Neighbourhood Watchers attached to their councils, some still find it difficult to pay N10,000.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to these council chairmen that are still paying their watchers anything less than the new minimum wage or owing them as much as six months arrears to turn a new leaf and pay these watchers their wages promptly and correctly,” he stated.
Ojelabi stated that the neighbourhood watchers apart from policing the grassroots, provide useful information that can improve the security of the local government.
—Kazeem Ugbodaga