Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday assured Lagosians of his determination to judiciously utilise tax payers’ money for the well-being of the people.

The governor spoke at the ninth town hall meeting on Security organised by the State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), with the theme: “Refreshing Our Security Model”.

He said his commitment to the people’s safety was non-negotiable, adding that security and a friendly investment climate remained his administration’s top priorities.

The governor said the town hall meeting was to continually create a platform for generation of ideas and solutions to confront security challenges facing the state, and to reassure security agencies of government’s commitment to their success.

Explaining that the N4.8 billion recently used to equip the police came from tax payers’ money, Ambode said under his administration such funds generated from the public would be accounted for and utilised to protect lives.
“What we have done in the last two weeks that totalled N4.8 billion, actually there is no kobo out of it that came from the Security Trust Fund, it actually came from you, because there is nothing called government money, it is tax payers’ money.

“Those of us who have been paying our taxes, we have actually apportioned part of the money you paid to purchase those equipment donated to the police.

“So we say to you, it is not our money, it is your money and it is only being used judiciously to protect ourselves,” the governor said.

Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the equipment donated to the police, adding that the command had been challenged and motivated by the gesture to do more.

Owoseni, who assured residents of the determination of the police to adequately and swiftly prevent and respond to crime, said 4,789 motorcycles were impounded.

Inaugurating the LSSTF board, Governor Ambode said his administration would continue to make Lagos safe and secure for law abiding citizens.

The governor assured that he would not relent in efforts to adequately equip security agencies in the state to confront challenges, just as he vowed to always support the board of the LSSTF.

LSSTF Chairman Oye Hassan-Odukale lamented that years of under-funding the police and other security agencies by successive administrations left a huge deficit that would require a yearly injection of at least N1 trillion for the next 30 years by the Federal Government.