Town Hall meeting: Lagosians express worries over insecurity,  bad road, wants special status for Lagos

The occasion was the first town hall meeting by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration since he became governor in 2019 held at Balmoral Centre, Ikeja.

The town hall meeting with the Lagos West Senatorial District  was the first in a series of such meetings to be held in all the three senatorial districts in the state.

During the interactive session, participants at the Thursday meeting were worried at the high level of insecurity in the country and 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 taking 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 part 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 discourage discongest 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 several infrastructures are being developed along the Badagry road to open up the area. He mentioned the infrastructures to 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.