Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu Admits Wasteful Spending
The governor assured that his administration is committed, responsible, and transparent.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has said his administration is not immune to mistakes.
Admitting that a mistake was made over figures of spending, Sanwo-Olu said his government was committed to public goods
The documents provided by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (PPA) may include errors, according to state officials, who made this announcement today.
This was made public by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s willingness to acknowledge mistakes demonstrates a commendable commitment to openness and accountability. In a political landscape where admitting errors can be perceived as a vulnerability, Sanwo-Olu’s stance reflects a leadership style grounded in humility and a genuine desire to address concerns transparently. This admission sets a precedent for a culture of accountability within the Lagos State government.
The intricacies of financial records, especially in the public sector, are well-known. With numerous transactions, allocations, and expenditures, errors can inadvertently creep into the documentation process. The admission by state officials that errors may exist in the documents provided by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency underscores the challenges inherent in maintaining accurate financial records. It also highlights the importance of continuous oversight and review processes to identify and rectify any discrepancies promptly.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s emphasis on the commitment to public goods amid the acknowledgment of mistakes is crucial. It reaffirms the government’s dedication to serving the public interest and ensuring that taxpayer funds are utilized responsibly. While errors in financial records may occur, the commitment to the overarching goal of providing essential public goods remains unwavering.
At the commissioning of the newly constructed operations headquarters of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) in Ikeja, the state capital, Sanwo-Olu made the following statements:
The Sanwo-Olu administration has been under fire lately for government spending. Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor, has refuted claims made on the internet that his office was paid more than N2 billion to provide refrigerators, lights, and rechargeable fans.
Sanwo-Olu said, “Over the weekend, we saw on social media how some people can politically turn around all of our attempts to be responsible, transparent, and committed to good governance. We don’t have a problem with any individual. We, indeed, acknowledged that this is the way it should be. We appreciate the fact that people can look at us in the face and say you need to do well in this area.
“We don’t have a problem with the originator of the open letter; in short, we like him and we thank him. Indeed, if we are seen as a government that is transparent and responsible, we should not be shy of criticism. But, it is only when criticism is malicious and is misrepresenting the truth, that is when there will be a problem.
“Officers in Lagos State have come out to show that there could be mistakes on some lines of items. There was a particular issue where an item was meant to be N2 million but was written as N2 billion. There are many discrepancies that have been corrected by PPA. We are not going to join issues with anyone on social media. All we are committed to is continuous service to the people of Lagos.”
In a statement sent through his spokesman, Gboyega Akosile, the governor stated that the state had nothing to conceal from the scandal and that it was unnecessary
