PARASTATALS MONITORING OFFICE SEEKS IMPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY FOR LASRAB

… TASKS LASRAB TO PUBLICIZE ITS ARCHIVAL MATERIALS

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Parastatals Monitoring Office,

(PMO), Mr Afolabi Ayantayo has emphasized the importance of exposing Lagosians to the history of Lagos State, as well as acquainting them with the various archival materials in the repository of the State.

He said historical knowledge of the past is necessary for the present generation to appreciate the past, make the present worthwhile and also make informed decisions about the future.

The Special Adviser said this recently when he led officials of the office on a visit to the Lagos State Records And Archives Bureau, (LASRAB) at the Magodo area of the State.

He challenged LASRAB to devote more time to publicize the various archival materials available within the Agency, with the aim of informing the citizenry about the history and cultural heritage of Lagos State and Nigeria, for the benefit of generations yet unborn.

According to him, the purpose of the visit was to have an overview of the activities of LASRAB and to enable the PMO to have an in-depth understanding of the mode of operations of the Agencies including their achievements as well as their challenges, with a view to ensuring effective and efficient service delivery to Lagosians.

Ayantayo said the visit was also in view of the core mandate of the Office to ensure that Agencies and Parastatals of the State Government are managed according to the guidelines of the current administration.

He urged LASRAB to publicize archival records they have in the Agency and ensure that all Lagos residents are aware of the existence of the Bureau.

Ayantayo thanked the entire LASRAB staff and urged them to do more in archiving and in the publicity of what they have, noting that people want to know more about the historical places and documents already documented and archived by the organization.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Parastatals Monitoring Office(PMO), Mrs Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, thanked LASRAB for the preservation of archival records in the State, just as she urged them to continue to look for documents and materials of historical value for preservation by the organization.

She assured that the visit, which was to know the activities and challenges of LASRAB has been achieved and would be presented to the State Governor with a view to making LASRAB better.

The host, and Director General of LASRAB, Mrs Bilikis Adebiyi-Abiola, thanked the team for the visit, saying that the concern by PMO to make the Agency better than what it is presently was commendable.

She emphasised the importance of record-keeping and that the Bureau was created to keep proper records, gather data and archive information about Lagos State.

Adebiyi-Abiola assured the team that LASRAB remains committed to continue carrying out its mandates in terms of preserving the historical heritage of the State.

She said LASRAB has done a lot in keeping proper records of happenings in Lagos State, but said better funding is needed to do more, for increased, effective and efficient service delivery.

“We need the Government to invest more in LASRAB. We need funds to keep records of happenings in Lagos State. We have done a lot in heritage preservation and we want to do more, but we are constrained by funding. Investing in LASRAB would enable the State to unlock hidden potentials for economic growth, as there are several records we need to archive in Lagos State which people want to see and would be a good preservation of our historical heritage.”

She pleaded with the Special Adviser and the Permanent Secretary to use their offices to help in the growth and development of LASRAB.

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Shileola Adama
Public Affairs Unit
LASRAB.
13th December, 2021