ALMOST four months into the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and in spite of his efforts, the state is still facing the scourge of insecurity, bad roads, blocked drains and heaps of refuse along highways.
This was the verdict of stakeholders at meetings held in the 40 constituencies of the state, last week, noting that the problems were some of the issues affecting good governance in Lagos. The stakeholders’ meetings were organised by the Lagos House of Assembly with the theme: ‘’Environmental Challenges: Community Engagement to Facilitate Lasting Solution.” From Agege, the base of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, to other constituencies including Apapa, Kosofe, Epe, Somolu, Amuwo Odofin, Surulere, Ikorodu, Somolu, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Badagry Ifako/Ijaiye, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Oshodi/Isolo, Eti-Osa and Ibeju-Lekki, the stories are the same. The issues of flood, insecurity, bad roads, and heaps of refuse on the roads were among issues highlighted .
This year’s theme, the Speaker said, was chosen to proffer solutions to the lingering environmental challenges such as dumping of refuse on streets, drainages and major highways in the state. Noting that Lagos is the most populous state in Nigeria with over 22 million people, attracting a daily influx of over 6,000 migrants, Obasa said the state faces daunting rapid environmental problems which include waste generation and management, hence the need to engage the people in finding solutions to the environmental challenges. “Despite efforts being put in place to sensitise residents on the need to protect the environment, some still prefer to violate the environmental law and engage in actions capable of frustrating government’s efforts and huge investment in the sector. “The government, in protecting the environment and improving healthy living standards of residents, has re-organised the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, to be proactive towards enforcing, regulating and ensuring improved waste management process.’’
The stakeholders Representatives of groups present at the various constituencies including the women, chiefs, youths, health sector, and education sector among others lamented that if care was not taken, the state would degenerate. In Agege constituency 1, the Baale of Dopemu, Chief Ajani Shitta, said the abandoned Pen Cinema Bridge project, streets lights, insecurity, unemployment, and bad roads are some of the numerous issues begging for attention. “The project (PEN Cinema) has been abandoned by government and that has caused havoc in the community”, he said. On security and education, one of the residents, Mr. Niceboy Akinwunmi said, most of the government schools have been hijacked by hoodlums known as Awawa boys who unleash mayhem on students especially girls after school hours. According to him, the Awawa boys position themselves at the entrance of school gates, terrorise, molest and abused students.
Other residents said bad roads, insecurity, and lack of street lights in the area have posed serious security threats to the citizenry, adding that creation of employment opportunities and provision of facilities will bring about positive change in the community.