The Lagos State government has charged residents to be productive and law-abiding.

The secretary to the state government (SSG), Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, gave the charge during the meeting with the paramilitary organisations and the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC).

Mrs Salu-Hundeyin said in a statement that there had been an influx of people into Lagos State, which the state government could not really stop, as such movement was enshrined in the law of the country.

“Nigeria has a law. Once you are living in this country, you are allowed to move freely. The constitution says there is freedom of movement. So we cannot stop anybody from coming into Lagos.

“But what we are saying is, if you are not adding value to us, don’t come and devalue our state. So, we are doing everything to ensure that there is no negativity in the movement of people into Lagos,” she said.

The SSG said that during the meeting with the paramilitary organisations, the immigration officer informed that they were looking at motorcycle (okada) riders, as a lot of them were not Nigerians.

According to her, when they find that a person is not a Nigerian and is committing acts that are detrimental to the well-being of residents of Lagos, such a person will be returned to his or her country.

“But you have to be sure that they are not Nigerians because if they are Nigerians, they have a right to live here.

“What we will do then is take them up. Maybe if you have done something criminal, they charge you to court.

“I am happy that even NAPTI told us that they are willing to take some of their cases to our own courts, the high courts, not necessarily the Federal High Courts all the time, so that they can be discharged and dealt with speedily,” she said.

Mrs Salu-Hundeyin said the government was working with the police and the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) to ensure a safer Lagos during and after the ember months.

She said the ember months were a period for the state to up its game in every area, especially security, as the governor was deploying everything to ensure that everyone slept with eyes closed.

The SSG said the government, through its ministries, was regularly empowering women and youths.

“When people are empowered, it also helps to reduce insecurity, which is why we are also looking at the youths, engaging them effectively.

“The governor would always ensure that youth engagement is primary and is top priority to him. For example, now we have the military engagement coming on that engages young people in the military.

“We have started the jingles and it is now running and then we’re going to have our youth also be gainfully engaged there. The more we put them in good places, the better for them and for us as well,” she said.

Mrs Salu-Hundeyin said that there had been a lot of improvement at ensuring tackling issues/challenges reported by members of PCRC in the last meeting.

She said that these issues included insecurity, traffic gridlock, electricity supply, scrap dealers, and scavengers, among others.

Also speaking, Apostle Kehinde Sowemimo, the chairman of PCRC, Lagos, said the committee would continue to work in synergy with the police and the government to keep Lagos peaceful and safe.

(NAN)