Lagos State Government has presented N489 million as severance allowance to 715 former elected and political appointees in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). The payment is the second and final tranche.
The beneficiaries served from 2004 to 2007 during the tenure of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as governor, and beneficiaries in the LCDA were pioneer appointees after Tinubu created 37 new LCDAs from the initial 20 councils. The Federal Government then however described them as unconstitutional, and witheld all local allocation due then.
Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Local Government and Community Affairs, Bolaji Robert, who presented the cheques, described the moment as ‘a dream over a period of time come true’.
He said: “This is to show that Lagos is different from other states. This is a state that runs its governance in continuity. Today’s beneficiaries were not owed by Sanwo-Olu, but paying them this severance allowance shows that governance needs continuity.
“The beneficiaries are also pioneer appointees of the LCDAs created by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who ensured that the councils remained existent, with salaries and entitlements paid, and development continued throughout the state, despite the fact that the Federal Government of the day witheld local government allocations.
“Even after Tinubu’s tenure as governor, successive administrations have kept up with their welfare. Today, they are getting what rightly belongs to them because we have a listening governor. The payment is the responsibility of the local governments, but the state decided to be magnanimous and bear 50 per cent counterpart funding. It is also worthy to note that deceased beneficiaries are represented by their relatives, so we thank Governor Sanwo-Olu for the gesture.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, who thanked the beneficiaries for their ‘great service to the growth and development of Lagos’, added: “Today’s gathering is one that resounds and attests to the government’s commitment to the welfare of every citizen in Lagos political space, especially political office holders who have contributed immensely to the state’s development.
“We cannot shy away from the tremendous roles and efforts you all have contributed in making Lagos the most enviable state in Nigeria, and one of the most thriving cities in Africa. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed and this is why Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved this presentation of severance allowances to commend and appreciate you for your admirable efforts as past political office holders and government functionaries.
“I appeal to all beneficiaries to continue to contribute their quota to the development of A Greater Lagos, by consolidating the government’s efforts to achieving the Lagos of our dream. I pray that we will all prosper with whatever we invest our severance-allowances into.”
