Lagos Commissioner Omotosho re-echoes calls to FG for special status for Lagos
By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Information and Strategy Commissioner in Lagos State government Hon Gbenga Omotosho has re-echoed the calls by Nigerians to Federal Government of Nigeria to accord Lagos metropolis a special status as applied to other big cities around the world.
Omotosho noted that the social, economic/commercial and political nature of Lagos required it to be accorded a special status.
The Commissioner reiterated the call while responding to issues raised in the Citizens Accountability and Rights Forum (CARF) monthly stakeholders interactive roundtable on public policy making and execution which was organised by the Committee For the Defence of Human Rights in collaboration with Centre For Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership.
The roundtable interaction themed: Local Government Administration and Rural Populace in Lagos: What Nexus for Development?, was held at Rights House, Ikeja Lagos on Thursday.
Responding to issues raised by representatives of Local Government Councils in Lagos State, Omotosho expressed that there is population explosion in Lagos State.
He said that there is daily influx of people in the State, adding that the increase is about 80 to 90 percent whereas the people that leave or go out of Lagos are minimal.
“Lagos State population is about 25 million, the size of about three countries in Africa. The number of tax payers in Lagos is about 6.5 million. Most rich men in Lagos are not paying taxes but they ply Lagos roads with their SUV.
“Lagos is taking more than its capacity can take.Let us join the call for a special status for Lagos.
He attributed the influx as a result of the Mega City nature Lagos with its hub of social, economic, commercial, industrial and political activities.
He observed that the thinking of the citizens is that government misapplied funds and not doing enough . He corrected the impression by saying that every year, executive go to the House of Assembly to tell them what they want to to and achieve.
“For us, the question of accountability is very crucial to us. All Governor Sanwo-Olu promises, he is doing them. Lagos State is the only State in Nigeria that has its rail.
” Lagos State government is doing much to make our people at the grassroots happy.
“Any time we are called upon to account to what has been given to us, we will be ready to give the account” Omotosho assured.
Responding on other issues raised during the interactive, session, the Commissioner said that more people are enjoying water transportation in Lagos because the sector was uplifted by purchasing of about 49 in addition to the existing ones ferries which carry about 70 or more people. He noted that more people are enjoying water transport
On issue of dirty life jackets, he said that he will carry the message to the governor.
On street lights, he disclosed that it takes about N600 million per month to run the plants which supply street light.
“But now we are going to use solar. We have done a lot of test run and interviews. In the nearest future, Lagos will be flooded with with solar energy “, he said.
Speaking on roads, Omotosho said that Lagos has about 9047 roads with CCTV in some of them. He said that presently the traffic control tower/limit can monitor traffic in at least 300 roads in Lagos for now.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu commissioned 31 roads in Ojokoro in one day when he came into office”
On Agege motor road, which is a federal road, it was initially meant to use SUKUK money awarded by the federal government. The road is to be executed between the federal government and Ogun State and they are not sleeping over it.
The Honourable Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development Bolaji Kayode Robert, ably represented by a Director, Local Government, Mr Raymond Ogunjobi said that local council are closer to the people. He urged local government chairmen not to concentrate development in one ward.
” Let the infrastructure go round, particularly the economic activities.
He said that rural communities abound in Lagos State, including riverine areas. He added that about 35 percent of Lagos State is rural area, stressing the Local Government council is the closest to rural communities and will remain a primary agent of change in Lagos.
Other discussants spoke on the developments embarked in their various local councils and challenges they encounter in running the affairs of the councils.
Earlier in his opening address/remarks, the President, Committee For The Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and Chairman, Centre For Anti corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), Comrade Debo Adeniran welcomed everyone to the fifth edition of CARF.
He said that the event provides a forum for healthy exchanges of ideas so that the areas of friction between the government and the governed would be drastically reduced if not totally eliminated because the people would have sense of belonging and the government would have the opportunity of listening to the people and explaining their positions on diverse policy issues that may crop up at a particular time.
“Today, we want to beam our searchlight on the third tier of government in Lagos State. With the theme, Local Government Administration and Rural Populace in Lagos State: What Nexus for Development?
We would like to explore the different angles to the efforts of the government at bringing the dividends of democracy to the rural populace, we would also use the opportunity provided by this forum to make inputs into the various efforts of government aimed at making life better for these sets of people, especially as it concerns various developmental projects in the state.
“Without any iota of doubts whatsoever, the proper administration of the Local Government system is the fastest and most reliable way to bring development and the gains of democracy closest to the people of Lagos State”.
“It is important to appreciate the importance of the local government administration in any political and governance structure. Without doubt, it is the foundation on which the superstructure of the state is based and the most effective tier of government to meet the basic needs of the citizens as it is the tier closest to the people” Adeniran said.
