By Olasunkanmi Akoni, Abdulwahab Abdulah, Ebun Sessou,  Jane Echewedo & Obinna Mbajunwa

MEMBERS of the Lagos State House of Assembly have appealed to the Senate to reconsider the bill for Special Status and Federal Grants to Lagos State in recognition of its socio-economic benefits to Nigerians in general.

This came as the Lagos State government has expressed its readiness to ensure that citizens of the State have access to justice in line with the policy of the government.

The lawmaker representing Alimosho Constituency I, Mr. Bisi Yusuff, who made the call, yesterday, said: “I commend Sen. Remi Tinubu for her effort on the bill. I also appeal to my colleagues to support her and write to the Senate to reconsider the bill.”

On her part, Mrs. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho said: “It is obvious that Lagos State deserves such grants and the special status is for all not for few people.”

In his remarks, Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa while commending efforts of Sen. Tinubu for her faithfulness to the state, stated that the right of Lagos State cannot be denied because without Lagos, there cannot be a nation called Nigeria. He said: “As a parliamentarian, there is a legislative process to achieve our aims; it is not by attacking or condemning the Senate. We will write a letter to the Senate to reconsider the bill because it is for the betterment of all.”

Igbonla kidnap: Lawmakers want Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law 2016 implemented

Also, the lawmakers called for the immediate implementation of Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law 2016 and resolutions passed by the House to solve the security issues in the state. Olusegun Olulade, representing Epe Constituency II, raised the issue under matters of urgent public importance. He lamented how kidnappers came through the waterways to abduct the principal, house master, and four students of Igbonla Model College while they also kidnapped a 70 year old former bank manager in Epe area of the state.

He said that there was the need to strengthen the state Security Trust Fund Law, provide gunboats and marine police on the state waterways in order to provide maximum security.

Contributing, Oluyinka Ogundimu, representing Agege II, emphasized the need to have total control of security in the state. He suggested that the rights to security matters be removed from exclusive list to concurrent list. Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency I, urged the state government to build a surveillance to monitor the routes in Epe axis, saying “Epe is under siege.”

Lagos vows to protect citizens rights

Meanwhile, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the ministry of justice, Mrs Funlola Odunlami, yesterday, at a one day workshop organized by the Public Advice Centre (PAC), said government is determined to ensure that members of the public make use of the services of the Centre. Odunlami said Lagos State has always taken the lead in legislation and law reform initiatives.

The theme of the workshop, entitled: “The Role of Public Advice Centre (PAC) in Contemporary Lagos”, said it was aimed at enlightening members of the public on the roles of the Centre.

She said: “The workshop will give members of the public a good opportunity to learn and know more of the Centre’s role, its positive impact in ensuring that rights of individual resident of the State are well protected and guaranteed.”