By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Prominent Lagos Indigenes, while expressing that they whole heartedly support Governor Babajide Sanwoolu in his bid to repeal the 2007 Pension law that gave humongous pensions to past Governors and Deputies in the state, has called on him to go a step further to make the good decision more impactful by also terminate the Alpha Beta contract believed to be own by political godfather, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
They made this known in a press statement issued in Lagos on Monday and signed by Professor Abisogun Leigh, Major General Adekunle Martins (Rtd), Prince Yomi Tokosi and convener, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri.
In the statement obtained by The DEFENDER, the indigenes expressed delight in the move by the state government to repeal the law.
In attendance at the meeting following which the statement was issued included top personalities like Chief Lai Ajayi Bembe, Arc Nosiru Kekere Ekun, Major Kehinde Danmole (Rtd), Ms Denrele Adeniran Ogunsanya, Engr Mutiu Gbajumo, Alhaji Muri Ashorobi, Dr Ade Dosunmu, Engr Lateef Onikoyi and Dr Layi Ogunbambi, Odofin of Lagos, among others.
“This is a bold step to reduce the cost of governance in the state and thus free Lagos from unwarranted financial burden.
“We urge the Governor to immediately present a bill to the Lagos House of Assembly for the repeal of the Pension Act,” they stated.
The Indigenes emphasised that “in his bold move to cut down cost of governance in Lagos state and plug all necessary loopholes of wastages, Sanwo-Olu, should as a young Governor, terminate the protracted Alpha Beta contract forthwith.”
According to them, “the contract is a complete wastage on our internally Generated Revenue. (IGR).”
“The huge contract sum should be converted to provide necessary infrastructures in the state and also provide jobs for our restive youths.
“Besides the state has no business in amassing further loans. Such money freed from Alpha Beta contract can be converted to more profitable usage.
“Our IGR and the federal government Revenue Allocations are more than enough to cater for the infrastructural needs of the people,” the lndegines added.
They also called the attention of Governor Sanwo-Olu to the long abandoned Lagos Badagry Express road and want it urgently completed.
“This road is an eyesore to the mega city of Lagos. We should also look more into reducing cost of governance and plugging all wastages”.
These were part of the series of recommendations in their communique after the meeting held in Lagos last weekend.
