Several Pro-democracy groups and human rights organizations have challenged Ministers and other government functionaries to emulate the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) on the way he keeps the populace informed about the activities of the administration.
The groups, in separate interviews expressed the delights and satisfaction in how Fashola periodically brief the public on how the government functions, saying, it is through some of his briefings that the citizens realize the need to support and cooperate with the government in power.
First to speak was the Convener and National President of the Campaign for Dignity in Governance (CDG), Comrade Razaq Olokoba, who said some negative attitudes of some people towards the government are as a result of unnecessary silence of those who should enlighten the public on why some things are the way they are, praising Fashola for assisting Biharis administration in putting it’s image at proper perspectives.
According to him, if others like him in government could emulate him, government/public relationship would be cordial, wondering why other Government functionaries think that only the Minister of Information can speak for the government!
Comrade Olokoba cited example of Fashola’s speech at the Niche lecture where he disclosed that ignorance of opposition’s roles always cause frictions in democratic processes, giving kudos to the Minister for his periodic enlightenment that always put the citizenry on the same page with the government.
Speaking in the same vein is the spokesman of the Speak Out 24/7, Comrade Olukayode Adeosun who also cited the example of Fashola’s remarks on the Second Niger Bridge which people thought exist only on paper, pointing out that until the project is now taking a final shape that the people thanked the Minister for putting their minds at rest long time ago.
Echoing the first two speakers is the leader of an all women Non Governmental Organization (NGO), Barrister Temitope Success- Adekunle, who commended Fashola for the instructions he dished out to the contractors handling Lagos -Ibadan Express Way to find a concrete way of easing the traffic bottle neck to allow computer and motorists easy passage to their destinations, saying such prompt actions from other Government functionaries are desired for smooth relationship between the government and the public.
All the speakers and others not captured here also concurred that, Fashola is doing well for the image of Biharis administration agreeing that, if others emulate him, unnecessary destructive criticism would give room for constructive and beneficial one.
