Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, on Tuesday urged the United Kingdom to support democracy in Nigeria.
The Speaker pointed out that the recent blockade of access to the residence of Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, by the police signaled serious danger.
The Speaker pointed out that the recent blockade of access to the residence of Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, by the police signaled serious danger.
Ikuforiji made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Peter Carter, to the state Assembly complex.
He said, “There is need for the continued support of the United Kingdom for entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria. The world must have noticed some of the infringements of our constitution and that of human rights especially by the Federal Government.
“The denial of access to the residence of the Rivers State Governor by the police in particular showed that our government at the centre should be called to order. Federal Government needs to show respect to our constitution. The situation in Rivers has reaffirmed the need for state police.”
Ikuforiji said the envoy’s visit to the Assembly’s complex would go a long way in further underscoring the very cordial relationship that had always existed between Britain and Nigeria.
He said, “It is a great joy for me to receive you here today because of the cordial relationship that exists between our countries. As we all know, the United Kingdom is the only country that can claim to be the mother of all parliaments in the world.”
The Speaker assured the envoy that the state lawmakers would continue to deepen good governance through pro-people legislations.
The Deputy High Commissioner urged the state legislature to continue to be commited to the cause of democracy.
The envoy added that such commitment would not only ensure good governance, but would also send powerful messages to the electorate.
Carter, who described the Lagos lawmakers as the best in the country, urged them to continue to be at the forefront of good governance in Nigeria.
He said, “The Lagos State House of Assembly is the best state legislative assembly in the country. This legislature is at the forefront of good governance in Nigeria.
“Your total commitment to the cause of democracy sends a very powerful message to the electorates.
“You must keep up the good work by always putting their electorate first in all you do. It is indeed good to know that the Lagos State House of Assembly is totally committed to all that is good in the democratic process.”
Meanwhile, the Assembly has urged the manufacturing companies operating in the state to ensure strict compliance with the traffic law or face the consequences.
Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Commerce and Industry, Bisi Yusuf, said this during the committee’s visit to some companies at ACME Road, Ikeja.
The lawmaker expressed displeasure over the indiscriminate parking of the company’s trucks by the road sides, which, he said was causing gridlock in the area.
He said, “The state government will not allow any company operating within the state to cause unnecessary gridlock.”
