Ambode inaugurates Security Trust Fund board, tasks members on accountability

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Tuesday inaugurated the board of the state Security Trust Fund, charging the members to always render transparent account of funds received from stakeholders.

Ambode, during the inauguration at the State House, Marina, told the nine-member board to make accountability, prudency and transparency their watchword.

“With the realisation that security today requires serious investment in technology, the fund is to expand its reach and work to get more private sector support.

“I urge to constantly engage the private sector and enlighten them of the need to be part of the collective effort to strengthen our security infrastructure.

“As you do this, you must render transparent account of the funds you receive from all stakeholders,” he said.

Ambode urged the board to bring to bear their wide experience in the public and private sector, to deepen the goodwill which the fund had enjoyed over the years.

He said that members of the board were carefully selected based on their passion, track record of service, accountability, transparency and dedication.

“I have no doubt that the new board will hit the ground running, given the strong foundation that has been laid,” Ambode said.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to make the state safe and secure for law abiding citizens.

“We shall not relent in our efforts to ensure proper and adequate equipping of our security agencies to be able to confront the security challenges.

“The primary responsibility of government is to ensure the safety of lives and property of its people,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Security Trust Fund was established in 2007 in response to emerging security challenges.

It was established to serve as a platform for collaboration between the government and the private sector to pull resources for the provision of security equipment and materials needed to enhance the crime fighting capacity of security agencies.