The Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development, Hon. Bolaji Kayode Robert, has stated that the local government remains a primary agent of change at the grassroots, noting that an effective local government administration will bridge the urban-rural divide and enhance development in all the 36 States of Nigeria.
Hon. Robert spoke during the Citizens Accountability and Rights Forum (CARF) interactive session on public policy making and execution which was organised by the Committee For the Defence of Human Rights in collaboration with the Centre For Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) in Lagos.
The Commissioner, ably represented by Mr. Raymond Ogunjobi, affirmed that empowering rural communities through Local Government Administration involves encouraging active participation in decision-making processes, equitable distribution of resources that would strategically address infrastructural deficits, enhance healthcare, and improve educational facilities in rural areas.
He, however, asserted that while the potential for Local Government to drive rural development in Nigeria is immense, it has been averagely explored because the government has to address the bottlenecks that surround the autonomy that Local Government deserves.
He cited some of the challenges, which include limited financial resources, lack of administrative capacity, and policy and governance issues, amongst others.
“Amidst all these limitations, Lagos State has remained committed to its development agenda in our rural communities and this is why one of the policy trusts of the administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is to make Lagos State a 21st Century Economy,” he said.
Commenting at the forum, the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Gbenga Omotosho, disclosed that there was a daily influx of people into the State, adding that the increase is about 80 to 90 per cent, whereas the people who leave or go out of Lagos were minimal.
He stated, “Lagos deserves a special status as there is a 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 is minimal.
“Lagos State population is about 25 million, the size of about three countries in Africa. The number of taxpayers in Lagos is about 6.5 million.“
He mentioned the flag-off of the construction of a 400-meter road in ljake Community in Oto-Awori LCDA and a 510-meter road at Ganiyu-Oduntan/Lamidi-Agoro Street in Ikorodu, provision of 16 potable water to 16 rural communities of the State in form of Type A, Modified Type A, Solar Powered Type A and Micro Water Schemes.
He added the the rehabilitation of five dilapidated existing water facilities in rural communities around Ibeju-Lekki LGA; and other LCDA’s.
“This includes an ongoing provision of ninety-three (93) numbers of Water and Sanitation facility projects in various rural communities across the State, which includes sixty-five (65) water schemes, ten (10) communal toilets, and rehabilitation of eighteen (18) dilapidated existing water schemes,” he said.
On the state of the roads in Lagos metropolis, he noted that in the bid to continue to bring infrastructural development to the grassroots and to fulfill Mr. Governor’s mandate of making Lagos State a 21st Century Economy, the Ministry recently flagged off the commencement of the construction of a 1.3-kilometre road in Ayubu-Bashorun Street in llupeju Community area of ljede LCDA, Ikorodu.
Speaking, chairman, CDHR/CACOL, Debo Adeniran, remarked that in light of the recent judgement by the Supreme Court on the financial autonomy for LGAs in the country, there was a need to look at the benefits while embracing an all-inclusive implementation of the government’s policies to enhance the socio-economic well-being of residents of the State.
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