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By Lukman Olabiyi
Stakeholders in Lagos State have hailed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for various initiatives and interventions being implemented through his T.H.E.M.E.S plus agenda to maintain and sustain the position of the state as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria.
•Gov Sanwo Olu and his deputy, Dr Hamzat flanked by other dignitaries at the meeting
The stakeholders sat with Governor Sanwo-Olu recently, at the Lagos West Senatorial District Town Hall Meeting held in Ikeja, to deliberate, review, analyse, and proffer solutions to some issues clogging the wheel of progress of the state, particularly at the West Senatorial District.
The event was the first of its kind since the governor was sworn in on May 29, 2023 for the second term and it was meant for the governor to interact and get feedback from citizens on the THEMES plus agenda of his administration.
The attendees who were drawn from different sectors, were availed with numerous achievements of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration during first term and other developmental programmes and projects in the pipeline to further grow the economy and well-being of individuals in the state.
For the entire duration of the meeting, issue of development of the state was at the front burner as Governor Sanwo-Olu took his time to reel out the scorecard of the achievements recorded by his administration through the T.H.E.M.E.S plus agenda and also sought for support of all the stakeholders to do more.
“We have not rested on our oars since you, the good people of Lagos State, gave us the mandate to oversee the affairs of the state for another four years. I often like to describe this second term as our season of doubling. We want to move twice as fast as we did in the first term, and accomplish twice as much. Of course, our THEMES plus agenda will continue to guide and propel all that we do for the progress and development of Lagos State. As a government, our commitment to the well-being of citizens and growth of our state is resolute and unwavering. We remain dedicated to the successful implementation of pivotal projects”, he said.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, who welcomed the stakeholders to the event, said the meeting was all part of the open-door policy of the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu, and his ever-reliable deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
“The philosophy of the Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat administration is that for democracy to maintain its essence, the active involvement of the people in governance must be encouraged and, indeed, deliberately courted. This is because the citizens are the bedrock of democracy.
“It is, therefore, in furtherance of this principle that we are gathered here today to further promote our agenda of running an all-inclusive government through the instrumentality of the THEMES plus agenda – the six-pillar development plan of the administration.”
He said apart from Lagos West Senatorial District, other senatorial districts will also have their turns to engage the governor inorder for Governor Sanwo-Olu to give account of stewardship, adding that it gives room to render accounts and assure their army of stakeholders and shareholders that despite any turbulence that they may have experienced, the ship of state remains steady because it is in the hands of a tested captain, who will listen and take feedback for implementation.
During the interactive session, participants at the meeting were worried at the high level of insecurity in the country. They expressed concern that Lagos, being the commercial centre of the country, could also witness an increase in insecurity as more Nigerians move into the state from states currently experiencing high levels of insecurity.
The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers present at the event asked Governor Sanwo-Olu for measures the state government is putting in place to curb insecurity.
He also demanded to know why the Federal Government has refused to recognise the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA), despite the ruling party being at the centre.
A Nollywood actor ,Adeoye Adewale popularly known as Elesho decried the deplorable state of the Ijebu-Ode/Itokin Road, adding that the road, which links Ikorodu in Lagos State to Ogun State is strategic but has been left abandoned by the government.
Taiwo Ogunniyi, a Chief from Badagry also expressed concern on overpopulation in some areas such as Lagos Island, adding there is a need for the state government to develop rural areas along Badagry Road so as to decongest some parts of the state.
Other areas of concern were youth involvement in government at the local government level and disobedience to traffic rules by some Lagosians.
In his response, the governor said in the area of insecurity, the state government is taking the issue of security seriously adding that regular meetings are held with security agencies such as the police, army and navy. He further said other measures like meetings with traditional rulers, Community Development Associations (CDAs) and the establishment of the Neighbourhood Watch has helped to combat insecurity in the state.
In the area of bad roads, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the Federal Government has awarded the construction of Ijebu-Ode/ Itoikin Road but commencement of work on the road is hampered by funding. He promised that the contractor would move to the site once the government secured funding.
The governor further said a number of infrastructural projects were being developed along the Badagry Road to open up the area. He listed the infrastructures which include the second phase of the Blue Rail Line which will run from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko among others.
Speaking on the request for special status for Lagos and recognition for the 37 LCDAs, Sanwo-Olu said talks, lobbying and negotiations are ongoing between the state government and the National Assembly.
Sanwo-Olu urged Lagosians to obey traffic and environmental laws and pay their taxes to enable the government to meet up with its activities.
