Focus on Citizens’ Welfare, Not Unnecessary Flyovers, Tinubu Tells Govs

President Bola Tinubu has called on state governors to prioritise projects that have direct impact on citizens’ lives, warning against spending public funds on infrastructure that does not address pressing needs.

Tinubu gave the charge on Thursday when he received traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Addressing Ladoja, who served as Oyo State governor between 2003 and 2007, the president said states currently have access to far greater financial resources than they did during their tenure as governors.

Tinubu, who governed Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, said the increase in allocations to states should be reflected in improved public services, infrastructure development and better living conditions for residents.

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“You have governed before as a governor. You need to help us communicate to these governors,” Tinubu told Ladoja.

The president said governors currently have access to four to five times more funds than what was available during their tenure, adding that most states no longer rely on borrowing to pay workers’ salaries.

“Today, the economy of operation is high. But the money that I’m pushing to the states, if you had had it during your own time or during my time, it would have been different,” he said.

“They are taking four to five times their money. Nobody is borrowing money to pay salaries now. Pensioners are receiving their pay.”

Tinubu urged governors to channel resources towards projects that would have greater impact on citizens, including road networks and infrastructure that improve accessibility.

“They should do more instead of building flying over where there is no numeric traffic; build roads and artery networks to really enhance the quality of life and the accessibility of the security agencies to penetrate those areas,” the president said.

On security challenges across the country, Tinubu said his administration was working towards strengthening security at the grassroots level through the proposed establishment of state police.