The Lagos State government has called for strengthened governance frameworks and deeper collaboration between government and local governments, community development associations (CDAS) and community development committees (CDCs), to bring the government closer to the grassroots.
At a stakeholders engagement meeting with chairmen of the 57 local governments and representatives of CDAs with the theme, “Empowering Voices, Shaping Policies” held at the Lagos State government Secretariat, Alausa, the special adviser to the governor, Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Dr Tajudeen Afolabi, said the stakeholders engagement was to examine critical issues such as Intergovernmental collaboration, overlapping mandates leading to double taxation, and get direct feedback from the people to enhance good governance with renewed confidence, trust and a stronger sense of ownership.
He said meaningful engagement between the government and the people is the lifeblood of inclusive governance as it serves as the bridge that links government to its citizens, enabling them to hear their voices, understand their needs and proffer solutions that reflect the shared aspirations of the people of the state.
Afolabi further said that for any administration to succeed, it must engage the people with sincerity and cultivate trust, adding that over the years, the state government, through the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, has been consistent in promoting inclusive dialogue and citizen-centred governance Initiatives.
“Each time we engage with communities whether in markets, schools, or council offices, we are reminded that genuine engagement is the bedrock of trust and progress. We’ve witnessed firsthand that when citizens feel acknowledged, they respond with renewed confidence and cooperation,” Afolabi said.
He also called on the youth to shun drugs and cultism and be ambassadors of peace by embracing truth and tolerance.
The permanent secretary in the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Engr Sholabomi Shasore, emphasised the importance of citizens’ gate platforms for residents to lay their complaints, give feedback and ask questions pertaining to governance which would be attended to by relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies representatives.
She enjoined residents to continue to engage, empower and evolve to propose workable strategies that would not only inform policy but inspire actions for the benefit of all residents.
“It is through consistent interaction like this that we can identify challenges, align priorities, and co-create solutions that advance our shared vision of a Greater Lagos,” Shashore said.
Stakeholders at the meeting raised different issues ranging from activities of motor park touts popularly called Agbero, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, multiple taxation, security threat by scavengers popularly called ‘mai’boila’ and demolition, with a call on the state government to prioritise the welfare of the citizens to address the high cost of living.
Nelson Ekujimi who represented a civil society organisation, the Committee for Protection of People’s Mandate, commended the organisers for holding such a meeting.
“The meeting is educational. It is a good avenue for people to ventilate their views on governance in their local government. The organisers have promised to escalate some of the issues we have raised. It has been a successful programme,” he said.
In attendance were representatives of National Youth Council of Nigeria, civil society organisations, artisans, traders, community development associations, students, among others.
