Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has openly admitted that his administration is not immune to making mistakes. Addressing concerns surrounding the figures of government spending, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized his government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the public.
The governor made these remarks during the inauguration of the Lagos State Building Control Agency Building in Ikeja, in response to the procurement record released by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency.
In reference to an open letter written by Funso Doherty, the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that his administration would continue to publish its spending records despite criticism. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to transparency, responsibility, and accountability.
Governor Sanwo-Olu stated: “We don’t have a problem with anybody or any individual. We acknowledge that these are ways in which we should be doing things. We appreciate criticism and the fact that people can look us in the face and tell us that we need to do well in the state. So, we don’t have a problem with the originator of the open letter. In fact, we appreciate it and want to thank him. It goes to show that to be a firm and responsible government, we should not shy away from criticism.”
The governor went on to clarify that constructive criticism is welcomed and plays a vital role in improving governance. However, he emphasized that malicious criticism intended to misrepresent the truth is where the issue lies. Governor Sanwo-Olu acknowledged that mistakes had been made in specific cases, such as an error that stated an item as N2 billion instead of N2 million.
Highlighting his team of dedicated public officials and committed civil servants, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that his administration aims to be recognized for their self-motivation and their ability to learn from their mistakes.
