Governor Sanwo-Olu demands priority for power infrastructure in Lagos State
“Lagos State plays critical role as key economic hub, microcosm of Nigeria” Lagos Governor tells Adelabu
Oredola Adeola
Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State has urged Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, to prioritize Lagos in the provision of power infrastructure, emphasizing the State is critical role as a key economic hub and microcosm of Nigeria.
The Lagos State Governor made this request on Friday during a visit to Power House, the office of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.
According to him, “Lagos is critical and an important microcosm of the country, it should therefore be given major consideration in the provision of Power infrastructure, but we are not saying this to the disadvantage of other States”.
He therefore commended Chief Adelabu for the improvement being witnessed in the power sector adding that no development can take place without the sector.
Chief the Permanent Secretary, and Adedayo Olowoniyi, Chief Technical Assistant (CTA) to the Minister of Power
Sanwoolu said he had no doubt he would do well considering his antecedent. “I have a high-performance expectation from the Power Minister based on his antecedents”, he said.
The Governor charged some of the Ministry’s Directors who received him in the company of the Minister, to further improve their performance.
“The power sector is critical for economic turnaround and the development of the country, you must therefore constantly improve on your performance”, he said.
The Lagos Governor said everything revolved around the power sector and enjoined the Ministry to continue to cooperate with the Minister to deliver on their mandate and change the narrative in the power sector.
“Other critical sectors depend on power. I am therefore here to let you know how important you are to our development. Power is what can transform this country. We can use it as a springboard to galvanize our economy”, he said.
According to Sanwoolu, adequate power supply, apart from galvanizing the private sector will also enable Nigerians to do things for themselves.
“Mr. President is talking about N1 trillion GDP, this is possible within five years. The Private sector is the real engine of growth and when we bring down the cost of production through improved power supply, the Private sector will grow and will employ more people.
“Government is not about growth; government is just the enabler of growth. So, everybody must understand that once people are given power, they do not need government, they will do things on their own and that’s how nations grow”, Governor Sanwo-Olu said.
Mahmuda Mamman, Permanent Secretary, responding on behalf of the Ministry, solicited the cooperation and support of Governor Sanwo-Olu in achieving the Ministry’s mandate adding that the Ministry cannot do it alone.