The member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing the Amuwo Odofin I Constituency, Hon. Dipo Olorunrinu, last week held a stakeholders’ meeting at the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Secretariat.
In attendance at the meeting, tagged “Towards a Better Constituency Engagement”, were the executive secretary of the council, Modupe Ajibola-Ojudu, DPO of the Festac Police Division, among other dignitaries and stakeholders.
The meeting was the first time such a constituency meeting would be held in all 40 constituencies of Lagos State and is an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Obasa.
While making his keynote address at the event, Olorunrinu, said he had a desire to interact with stakeholders because he was there to serve the people and convey their problems to the government. He said the major aim of the meeting was to harness issues that will inform the year 2016 Budget and discuss the progress and challenges of the Amuwo Odofin I Constituency.
Olorunrinu acknowledged the achievements of past governments of Lagos state dating back to 2nd October, 1979 when the state witnessed the emergence and birth of representative governance with the inauguration of the First Legislative Assembly.
He pointed out that the Lagos State House of Assembly would always put the people first because the legislators were elected to represent their interest, concerns, hopes, and aspirations.
He reminded the attendees that the legislature is primarily responsible for making, revisiting, amending and repealing laws for the advancement and well-being of the citizenry.
Other functions it performs include: representation, oversight, checks and balances on the other organs of government (Executive and Judiciary), confirmation of the governor’s nominees including chairmen/members of statutory commissions/boards, conducting investigation into matters to which it has powers to make laws and approval of the spending of public monies.
Hon. Dipo Olorunrinu further urged all stakeholders to be part of the historic consensus building as the destiny of the state was in everyone’s hands and it is their civic and constitutional responsibility to decide what they want and for posterity.
He assured them that whatever information, suggestions and contributions gathered from the meeting would help government formulate proactive policies that would be of benefit to all.
The stakeholders appreciated Hon. Olorunrinu for creating an avenue where they could have such an interactive session with him. The issues raised were poor drainage system and maintenance, security and the high rate of crime, traffic congestion as a result of only one major exit route from Festac Town and an appeal for an overhead link bridge from Festac to help ease the traffic problem.
Also discussed were lack of a substantive emergency response unit in Festac especially in cases of fire incidence, request for PHCN prepaid meters, and complaints on the exorbitant power rates and an appeal for the empowerment of the youths to further engage them in positive ventures among others.
Hon. Olorunrinu thanked all stakeholders in attendance and assured them that all issues raised has been noted and will be addressed accordingly. He promised that they will surely enjoy the dividends of democracy from the government.
