A senior figure in the Anglican Church of Nigeria has described the decision by the federal government of Nigeria earlier in the week to withhold the capital’s local government statutory funds as morally unjustifiable.

|TOP|Dr. Ademola Ademowo, Bishop of Lagos and Archbishop of Province of Lagos, said the non-release of N14 billion from the N34 billion Lagos local government statutory funds would have a negative impact on the development of the state.

Speaking at the Lagos Diocese’s “Festival of Anglican Church Music” celebrations, Dr Ademowo said: “Lagos is the commercial nerve centre of the country. There are lots of problems facing the state and I think that releasing the funds will go a long way in addressing some of these problems.”

He commended Governor of Lagos Bola Ahmed Tinubu, however, for his efforts to revive the city and improve the living standards.

"I must commend Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the good works he is doing, particularly in enhancing the living standard of all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic colouration."

He added that Tinubu has “good intentions for the state” and welcomed his plans to improve the transport by expanding the bus network.

The Anglican bishop said the release of the funds was necessary if the Lagos State government was to meet its statutory responsibilities.

He also called on all Nigerians to regard the development of the nation as a collective responsibility and said that the Organised Private Sector (OPS) should compliment the government’s efforts to alleviate the problems facing the country.

Rev Ademowo said that the organised sector should invest in mechanised agriculture in order to reduce the dependence on imports that is damaging the Nigerian economy and “accelerate the pace of development for our nation”.