Fashola approves 120 new vehicles for Lagos traditional rulers

The Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, in what appears to be a special Christmas gift to traditional rulers in the state, has approved the procurement of 120 new vehicles of various brands for traditional rulers in the state.

According to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ademorin Kuye, who announced this via an interview on Saturday in Lagos, the purchase of the vehicles has been provisioned for in 2014 budget..

Kuye is of the view that the vehicles would facilitate the work of the traditional rulers, even as he said that the government was also renovating their palaces and building some new ones as part of its plan to also enhance the living standards of the rulers .

'Already, the 120 vehicles have been provided for in the 2014 budget and these would add to the over 30 vehicles that we have provided in the current year. These vehicles speak of the commitment of the state government toward improving the welfare of traditional rulers in the state and empowering our Obas to serve their people,' he said.

He stated further,  'We have just delivered a new palace for the Alara of Ilara, Epe and work would soon commence on new palaces for the Akran of Badagry and Olu of Ikeja. Renovation of the palaces of Ayangburen of Ikorodu and Elejigbo of Ejigbo are ongoing and we are taking all these steps to strengthen the traditional institution in the state. '

Kuye also announced that the state government had set up a committee to consider applications from traditional rulers seeking upgrade.

He explained, 'We have different categories of Obas in the state and some of them, based on historical evidence and some other considerations, believe they should be upgraded to higher categories. So the committee on upgrade of traditional rulers will consider applications, scrutinise the evidence provided there-in and make recommendations to the state government for approval. It is State Executive Council that gives the final approval based on the merits of the recommended applications.'

The commissioner, who said traditional rulers were partners in progress, added that the state government would continue to work with them to ensure development in the state.