Open Letter on the Governor's Trip to Grenada

Dear Mr. Governor,

In the wake of recent criticism on social media, Lagos State Government, through its media channels, announced a previously undisclosed trip you recently made to Grenada, during which you are reported to have met with the Prime Minister of that Nation, in addition to attending certain unspecified social functions.

In the case of private travel, funded by yourself, it is undeniably your right to travel to any destination of your choice to attend any lawful gathering of your choice, whenever you so choose, as long as you meet the entry requirements of your destination.

I, like most Lagosians, will be quick to rise in defence of this right of yours, even in the face of concerns that have now been raised in popular media about certain social functions that you are alleged to have attended in Grenada.

A very different standard however applies for official trips funded by the people through the Lagos State Government. All such official trips should be undertaken only if they are legitimately and demonstrably in the public interest.

It is curious that out of more than 190 countries worldwide, Grenada, the same country where you attended social engagements, was the coincidental choice for bilateral engagement on behalf of the Government and People of Lagos State.

Grenada is a distant Island nation with a very small population of approximately 130,000 people and National GDP of just over $1bn, both of which are small fractions of those of Lagos State. Its economy is largely tourism-based and has very little complementarity, trade volume and potential with Lagos.

Mr Governor, we will leave the judgment as to whether this visit to Grenada was a good use of your time to you. However, it is imperative that you clarify how this trip was financed. In the unfortunate event that the trip was funded by LASG, you should consider making a refund of the costs of the trip to the State purse, as we do not consider that this expenditure is justifiable in the circumstances.

As you are aware, despite concerns we raised, the State House of Assembly has passed and you have just signed into law, a greatly increased expenditure budget of N2.27 trillion for 2024 with a projected budget deficit of over N400 billion which will ultimately be borne by the already over-stretched average Lagosian.

Addressing these questions will set the right example and demonstrate the transparency that the people of Lagos State deserve and expect from their government.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and we look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully, Funso Doherty