Fashola Approves 120 New Vehicles For Traditional Rulers

Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has approved the procurement of 120 new vehicles of various brands for traditional rulers in the state.

The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademorin Kuye, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

The commissioner, who said the vehicles would be purchased in 2014, noted that they would enable the traditional rulers to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

"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.

Kuye also told NAN that the state government was renovating palaces and building some new ones to strengthen the traditional institution and improve the living standards of the traditional rulers.

"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, '' he said.

The commissioner added that the state government had set up a committee to consider applications from traditional rulers seeking upgrade.

He said that the committee embedded in the State's Council of Obas would ensure that qualified traditional rulers get the deserved elevation.

"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, '' Kuye said.

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. (NAN)