By Florence Onuegbu
The secretaries to the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State have been urged to drive the state’s THEMES+ agenda at the grassroots.
Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG) gave the charge on Saturday in Lagos, at an inaugural meeting with the newly appointed Secretaries to the Local Governments (SLGs).
Salu-Hundeyin said that they should drive the THEMES+ agenda by ensuring its benefits reach residents at the grassroots.
She said the secretaries occupied strategic positions as the closest government functionaries to the people and must discharge their responsibilities selflessly, in line with Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision for a greater Lagos.
“I have conveyed Mr Governor’s message that they must be on their toes because they are closest to the grassroots.
“They must serve selflessly and ensure that issues affecting residents are promptly discussed with their council chairmen and escalated to the state government for appropriate action,” the SSG said.
She said the secretaries must utilise the THEMES+ development agenda as the framework for implementing government policies across their councils.
According to her, priorities may differ from one council to another, with some focusing on health, transportation, security, flood control, environmental sanitation or waste management, depending on local needs.
“The important thing is that the THEMES+ agenda should be our guide. Every local government should implement the aspects most relevant to its people while aligning with the overall development goals of the state,” she said.
Salu-Hundeyin also highlighted the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, urging the secretaries to intensify awareness of the programme to improve access to affordable healthcare for residents.
She said that environmental sanitation must also receive greater attention through regular community clean-up exercises and sustained public enlightenment against indiscriminate waste disposal.
According to her, council officials should mobilise residents to keep drains free of refuse to reduce flooding and improve public health.
She urged the newly appointed SLGs to uphold the principles of responsibility, transparency and good governance in the discharge of their duties.
“Council secretaries are custodians of due process, coordinators of administration and the institutional memory of their respective councils.
“You are the engine room of local government administration, and the people of Lagos State expect excellence from you.
“I, therefore, urge you to discharge your responsibilities with professionalism, diligence and innovation,” the SSG said.
She said that the office of the SSG would continue to partner with them in the shared mission of building a greater Lagos, in line with the THEMES+ development agenda of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
In his remarks, Mr Kunle Olambiwonnu, Chairman of the Forum of Secretaries to the 57 Local Governments and LCDAs, said the council secretaries were committed to implementing government policies effectively at the grassroots.
Olambiwonnu described the engagement with the SSG as enlightening and resourceful, as it equipped the secretaries with vital information needed to improve governance across the councils.
“The SSG has enlightened us and given us key information we need. It was an engagement where we rubbed minds together, and we have benefited immensely from her wealth of experience,” he said.
According to him, the major takeaway from the meeting is the need for the secretaries to be more impactful in their respective councils and ensure government policies translate into tangible benefits for residents.
He acknowledged that local government administration faced numerous challenges, but expressed confidence that they would be addressed.
Olambiwonnu commended council chairmen for supporting the secretaries, saying they have the necessary tools to deliver on their responsibilities and implement the resolutions reached at the meeting.
Speaking on security, he said that all secretaries to the local governments also serve as secretaries of their respective peace and security committees.
He said that the committee holds regular meetings with security stakeholders to review security challenges and proffer solutions for their communities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Oluwafunke Ishola