- Announces N2 billion donations from high network Lagosians, companies
- Pledges to inject 300 vehicles to refleet aging police vehicles
- To build befitting office for the LSSFT
By Demilade Adeniyi
From the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday came s charge to high networth Nigerians and big corporations not to get weary of supporting the state’s security initiative – Lagos State Security Trust Fund.
This is just as he announced the donation of N2 billion, with a whopping N1 billion pledge to come from the Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria and the Geregu Energy Chairman, Mr Femi Otedola.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at the 17th Security Town Hall meeting organised by the Fund, at the Eko Hotel, where he also announced that the government would be donating 300 vehicles to the LSSTF for onward refleeting of the security outfits in the state.
He said he looked forward to raising between N5 billion to N7 billion in the present financial year of the Fund, and further announced that the government will ensure the building of a befitting office for the Fund, which had been issued a quit notice from its present office by their landlord.
Sanwo-Olu who was the first acting Executive Secretary if the Fund when it took off in 2007, said the agency has proven it’s relevance in the onerous task of securing the state over and over again, adding that the agency has kept faith with all its stakeholders by keeping its audited book open for scrutiny.
He said security will continue to be a cardinal focus of his administration because of its critical connection to prosperity.
He said though the Fund had thrived in the past 17 years with the voluntary donation from willing stakeholders, government will continue to seeks ways of ensuring that the Fund gets more funds to be able to deliver on its mandates.
He spoke just as the Minister of state for Police Affairs Hajia Sulaiman Ibrahim, lauded the state for coming up with the Fund which has helped in transforming the business if security in the state.
Hajia ibrahim, who pledged the sum of N1 million for the Fund gave the Federal Government will continue to support the state in its initiatives aimed at strengthening security.
In his report, the Acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Waheed Ayilara said the Police Command has enjoyed tremendous support from the LSSTF even as he pledged that the officers and men of the command will not rest on their oars in ensuring that peace reign in the state at all times.
He said following the ban of Okada operations in 10 local governments a d 15 LCDAs in the state by the Governor in May 2022, a total of 3,919 motorcycles were impounded for playing restricted routes, while 61 operators and 40 passengers were convicted for flouting the traffic law.
He said within the year, 20 traffic robberies were busted and their perpetrators arrested and tried.
Giving further breakdown, Ayilara said a total of 3, 841 vehicles were contravened during the year for commuting on BRT corridor, while 654 others were intercepted for driving against traffic.
On gender based violence, 256 cases of rape/defilement, domestic violence and sexual harassment were recorded, with 180 of them already tried while others are still being prosecuted.
Ayilara said eight cases of kidnapping were recorded in the last one year and 18 kidnappers were arrested and charged to court.
Ayilara said 189 robbery cases were recorded in the last one year, with 172 residential robberies foiled. About 257 suspects connected with these robberies are being tried Ayilara said.
The LSSTF’s Executive Secretary/CEO Dr Abdurrazaq Balogun said the Fund was able to do more with less fund this year because it focussed on repair and maintenance of old fleet of vehicles distributed to all security outfits operating in the state.
He said because of the huge responsibilities ahead of the Fund, there is need to rethink the funding options available to it to make the issue of securing the state everybody’s business.
He said the Fund in the year u der review received N318.7 million in cash donations and two vehicles, adding that only 35 donors responded this year to the clarion call for donation and supported the Fund’s operation this year.
“Because if paucity if funds the Fund focused on refurbishment of RRS operational vehicles as the cost of replacement appears prohibitive. In all, the Fund besides providing fuel for the Mari e Police and IarForce to the tune of N41.3 million and consumables of about N29.1 million. We also provided 13 vehicles, 57 motorcycles, 576 tyres, 155 batteries, 150 raincoats and boots and 12 drums (200 litres each) of engine oil among others logistics and consumables”, Balogun declared.
He said the Fund challenges is increasingly getting more complex as improved technology and the internet of things have continued to I troduxe higher level of sophistication to the challenges of security in the state.
“The more we continue to advance and rely on technology, and the internet, the more newer areas of vulnerabilities continue to emerge,” he said.
He said added to this mix is the concept of human security where economic, food, health, environmental, personal community and political security all play a dominant role in defining how safe a society will be.