The Lagos State government just recently flagged off the construction of about 270 road projects across all the senatorial districts in the state.

The Governor at the ceremomy described grassroots as “the bedrock of development.” He stressed that the projects were strategic in promoting the wellbeing of the people across communities. He said his Government would continue to give residents a voice on issues that affect them”.

He further stated that “This administration’s development agenda is driven by the spirit to build a Greater Lagos. A Lagos that is livable, and conducive for the growth and development of enterprise. The dream of a greater Lagos is not exclusive. It is predicated on the principle of inclusiveness. By that, development is not considered satisfactory until it has addressed the yearnings of greatest number of people. They contribute to the commonwealth.”

Suffice to state that these developments do not seem to be addressing the yearnings of the greatest number of people of Lagos State, simply put, they are like telling the people “Now Your Suffering Continues”.

How could a government be placing all its “Firewood in the Fire” at the same time.

Lagosians are presently going through a lot of stress occasioned by the number of man hours used in transit everyday.
A look at the stretch of the state shows bad roads everywhere. Bodies ache, Cars squeak, tensions rise.

What sort of government would put it’s people through all that trauma?

There is absolutely nowhere in Lagos State that anyone could have a smooth drive.
There are presently road constructions going on in Epe, Ikorodu, Iju, Lagos Island, Apapa, Agege, to mention but a few.

The pains from the slow pace of some of these road constructions have been unbearable.

All these issues bring out some pertinent questions that need answers:

Why are all these roads being handled at the same time?

In some climes, such road constructions are done at night, why is ours different?

Should government not be a continuum?
If Yes, why are projects by previous governors not given the required urgent attention?

Why is the state being constantly dragged into continuous debts?

A report recently released by BudgITng showing the ability of each of the states in the Federation to meet their monthly Recurrent Expenditure and Loan Repayment Obligations in 2019 showed that Lagos State had a total revenue of N516billion and an expenditure and loan repayment obligation of N555billion in 2019, thereby having a deficit of about N39billion.

Where are the funds for these new projects coming from, if not from more and more loans?

As if the pains from driving on these roads are not enough, you would notice across all roads, fierce looking “state registered touts” in the guise of NURTW harassing and extorting money from bus drivers unhindered.

All these harassments and extortions are ultimately passed down to the people through increased transport fares, thereby inflicting more pains on the people.

It wasn’t surprising that the State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat could come out publicly to say “Why we can’t ban “agberos” in Lagos. He ridiculously went on to compare the “agberos” under the guise of NURTW with Doctors in the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

All these are serious pointers to the fact that this seems largely like a “government of deceit and pains”, if not why will a government continue to add to the sufferings of its citizens, despite saying that “it’s projects are strategic in promoting the well-being of the people across the communities.”

What voice has this government given to its people on issues that affect them as it promised?

We also ask this huge question, “Must the opposition line the streets of Lagos in protest before things can be done right?”

Enough is Enough!!!

Engr Adedeji Doherty,

Chairman, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos Chapter