Running states is very difficult now –Ambode

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Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, says it has become difficult running states in the face of the dwindling economy.

Ambode stated this in an interview with journalists on Friday shortly after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja stressing that it is necessary to do something drastic whenever financial inflows do not tally with fixed costs as it is currently the case in many states of the federation.

Buhari had on Thursday said that most states of the federation could not pay their workers’ salaries despite the recent bailout approved for them by the Federal Government.

Ambode, who said his mission was to come and thank Buhari for placing Lagos State projects at the front burner during his recent visit to China, said state governors were right to seek moratorium on loans and other reliefs from the Federal Government.

He said drastic decisions must be taken to ensure that states remain afloat.

Ambode, however, said Lagos State was the major beneficiary of Buhari’s recent visit to China.

On those who criticised Buhari for the visit, Ambode said there was nothing that could be done in form of policies and programmes that would not attract criticism.

What is important, according to the governor, is about the majority of people who are going to benefit from the trip.