President Bola Tinubu has called on state governors to focus more on projects that directly improve citizens’ quality of life, instead of building flyovers where traffic volume does not justify them.
The President made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State led by Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, at the State House.
Speaking directly to Oba Ladoja, Tinubu noted that financial allocations to states have increased significantly compared to when they both served as governors.
Tinubu was governor of Lagos from 1999 to 2007, while Ladoja served as governor of Oyo from 2003 to 2007.
“You have governed before as a governor. You need to help us communicate to these governors,” Tinubu said.
“Today, the economy of operation is high. But the money that I’m pushing to the states, if you had had it during your own time or during my time, it would have been different.
“They are taking four to five times their money. Nobody is borrowing money to pay salaries now. Pensioners are receiving their pay.”
The President urged governors to use the increased funds to address more critical needs.
“They should do more instead of building flying over where there is no numeric traffic; build roads and artery networks to really enhance the quality of life and the accessibility of the security agencies to penetrate those areas.”
Tinubu also said his administration is taking steps to improve security at the local level through the establishment of state police.
He called on traditional rulers to play a greater role in tackling insecurity, noting that the government is enhancing the capacity of forest guards to combat criminal activities.
