Ambode,
Lagos State Gov.
The Lagos State government said it has finally
banned state sponsorship of Muslim and Christian pilgrims who embark on
pilgrimages to Mecca in Saudi Arabia or Jerusalem in Israel, saying it
considered it the most irresponsible way of spending tax payers’ money.
The state Commissioner for
Home Affairs, Honourable Abdulateef Abdulhakeem, disclosed this when members of
the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Home Affairs, led by
Honourable Olayiwola Olawale, paid a visit to the ministry in furtherance
of their oversight function.
Abdulhakeem said the
government decided to ban the sponsorship because it amounted to injustice for
certain individuals to continue to benefit from the government to the detriment
of other members of the society.
“In this day and time
when we are talking about paucity of funds coupled with inhibiting challenges
that the government has to take care of, we can no longer afford to spend the
sum of one million on one single individual to go on pilgrimage when the
scripture did not compel anyone to do so.
“So, it is most
irresponsible way of spending tax payer’s money. That is why the government has
taken a solid decision, which we will be accountable and responsible for every
kobo that the tax payers pay to the government. It is an injustice for the
government to be spending millions on group of people when millions of
Lagosians are yearning for government’s attention,” he said.
The commissioner also
disclosed that the state government had commenced the process of gathering data
of religious organisations and their locations in the state, to be able to set
standards, give orientation and provide security for them.