The Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday met with civil servants, urging them to support him to take the state to greater heights.
Speaking at the meeting in Ikeja, Ambode thanked workers for being part of the state’s success story of the last 16years and for supporting him in the elections.
He described the civil service as the driver of development and said their partnership would help him to achieve his mission of a more prosperous state.
Ambode, who said he saw his emergence as governor as a call to service, urged civil servants to walk the journey with him through improved service delivery.
The governor-elect pledged to run an open government that would thrive on the contributions of residents of different backgrounds and groups.
He said that he would welcome criticism of his policies and programmes from workers for the best interest of the state and its residents.
“We know that the public service is the driver of any government. So, as we begin this journey of greater development together, I expect you to bring with me improved productivity.
“Whatever it is that our administration will do in the betterment of the lives of residents, you should always walk with us and help us.
“When we make mistakes or we are trying to make wrong policies, you should be bold enough, as you have always been, to say that what we are doing is not in the best interest of the people.
“I just want to appreciate you and tell you to always stand up and tell us the truth about the prosperity of Lagos. I am passionate about that prosperity and I want you to work with me,” he said.
Ambode said having worked in the state’s civil service and retired after 27 years, he understood everything about the system.
The governor-elect said that he was a beneficiary of the service’s long-standing culture of excellence and would do his best to make it the best in Africa.
Ambode promised improved synergy among the three arms of government – the executive, legislature and the judiciary – for greater service to residents.
He congratulated Lagosians on the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the prresidential elections, saying it was the first in many years Lagos would align with the centre.
Ambode said his administration would work closely with the Federal Government to speed up the state’s pace of development.
Governor Babatunde Fashola, in his contribution, said the civil service had a big role to play in the development of any society.
He said countries like England, Singapore and others were in their present state owing to the immense commitment of their public service.
Fashola urged civil servants to see themselves as the real builders of Lagos and give Ambode the support his administration had enjoyed over the last eight years.
“I want you to reinforce and consolidate on what we have achieved so far.
“Sixteen years ago, very few believed that government could work again.
“But today, with your determination, can-do spirit, you have proven that government can work and that civil service is the driver of development in any part of the world.
“I want you to support Ambode so that together we can have a better Lagos,” he said.
Fashola urged workers to be politically neutral but make right democratic choices that would bring about development.
The governor thanked the civil servants for their consistent support for his government, saying the cooperation contributed greatly to the strides recorded by his administration.
NAN
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