Going On Protest Will Bring Set Back To Nigeria - Sanwo-olu

  

By Kayode Olopade 

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu has kicked against the protest billed to start today, saying those behind it  are bent on destabilising the  country, arguing that, the 10 days set aside for the protest, can never solve the challenges facing the country.

Addressing the state house correspondents at the Lagos House office in Ikeja on Wednesday he explained that, going on protest will bring setbacks to the  country, and that, the protest can be infiltrated by those who are bent on destabilising the country, and can  lead to destruction  of government  properties.

The governor said, the experience of #EndSARS protest is still fresh in the memory of Lagosians when government properties that are worth Billions of Naira were destroyed.

"Lagos has always been a beacon of hope, a city of refuge, a city of resilience and melting port of our diverse cultures. No other State reflects the assemblage of the brilliance and energy inherent in our diversity as a people like Lagos."

 Sanwo-olu stated that, the original proponent of the protest may have noble  intention  but it is wrong to say it is instrumental to change of governance.

"Some of the narratives it has occasioned about its instrumentality for change of government by another means other than the one constitutionally provided for are disturbing.

He said there are challenges,and the government is working at addressing  those challenges, and that it is wrong  to conclude that going on protest will  solve the problem on the ground, "It is pertinent to ask, is protest the practical catalyst for progress the nation requires at this time? Will such a protest suddenly ensure that all of our challenges disappear in ten days? Will the protest suddenly ensure the prices of food stuff drop by the 11th day? Will shutting down the economy for 10 days inspire economic growth we earnestly desire?

" I hold the strong view that a protest at this time will do none of these things for us as a nation. Rather, it would roll back the modest gains that we have made in various facets of our socio-economic life as a people."

Sanwo-olu  while admitting that,there are challenges in our land said the government is addressing them,"Yes. So much is being done in many sectors to alleviate the pains of the people and prepare the path to  lasting prosperity."

He explained  that quick fixes options to the problem are not available to the problem on ground.

Sanwo-olu said in trying to solve some of the problems, President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage into law this week and from today (Wednesday) students loans are being disbursed to indigent students to relieve indigent parents and students of the financial burden of getting tertiary education.

He explained  that as part of the promised devolution of power, the Local Governments have been granted financial autonomy to guarantee efficiency of that tier of government and bring governance closer to the people.

Sanwo-olu stated that, at Lagos State level,his administration has introduced many palliative measures to relieve people of the state the burden of hardship experienced as a removal of the fuel subsidy.

" As a State, we are not unaware of the effects of the economic reforms on our people. To cushion the effect, you would recall we launched the EKOCARES, our bespoke social protection initiative. Under this programme, we introduced the popular Sunday Discount Markets where residents bought basic foodstuff at 25% discount rate across the State."

Sanwo-olu added that, in view of efforts made by the federal government and various state governments to cushion the effect of the hardship experienced, the protest is uncalled for."Why then should there be a protest? All that we require now is to be patient for the benefits of the economic recovery policies to blossom. 

"Protests can never achieve in 10 days what carefully crafted economic reforms can achieve in a matter of weeks and months. More than ever before, our nation is blessed with a courageous leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR). Let me assure you that, Nigeria is headed in the right direction and the benefits of these hard reforms will percolate." Sanwo-olu explained