As the country continues to gradually open up the economy after several weeks of lockdown, stakeholders have urged Lagos State to introduce policies and strategies to alleviate the sufferings of persons in the state, with the ultimate view of having a more Resilient state.
According to them, Lagos State should be seen as a pace setter in view of its status as the commercial nerve centre of the country.
A resident, Tope Adaramola said, the rapidly growing population of the state, requires an efficient, accessible and affordable transportation system, he said, that the masses are suffering, hence there is the need to improve greatly on the transportation system to alleviate the sufferings of persons in the state.
He noted that, Lagos State, has a long history of migration, and should strategise as to how to deal with the influx of persons into the state.
He further reiterated that, if adequate plans are not put in place, the influx of persons could lead to infrastructure being overstretched, Infrastructure would deteriorate and consequently, access to basic facilities would surely reduce.
A Public Relations consultant, Joseph Obah, said Lagos State should be more strategic in its bid to move the state forward.
He noted that, there is the urgent need for Government to increase awareness of the fact that, the citizenry might have to deal with the fallouts of Covid19 for a while.
He advised that there is the dire need to look into strengthening information management vis a vis preparedness for disaster. In his words, Covid 19 came like a “thief in the night”. How to deal with such shocks in future, as regards information dissemination should be hugely considered.
A medical practitioner, who would like to remain anonymous stated that there is the urgent need to improve on the health care system. The state should be prepared for crisis in terms of health infrastructure and personnel.
He stresses that the pandemic actually exposed the effectiveness and efficiency of the existing public and private health-care facilities. He advised that the state should be more proactive in its bid to attain the mega-city status.
An educationist, Oluseye Durojaiye stated that the advent of the novel corona virus, has brought to fore, the fact that online study at all levels of education has come to stay.
She queried to know what the fate of children whose parents cannot afford regular access to internet would be? She urged the government, to urgently look into how this imminent gap can be bridged.
In his own view, Architect Gbenga Odufuwa stated that, he is well aware, that Lagos State has master plans and model city plans.
He postulated that these plans were put in place to position the state for a better tomorrow as regards the physical environment.
He advised that the government needs to do more as regards accessibility to affordable housing for residents of the state.
He stressed that presently, cost of renting or buying of property is on the very high side, while the mortgage system which should be the succour, is at the moment not friendly.
He further wished to know what the Lagos State government was doing about the rampant cases of building collapse, as well as the violation of land use and space standards.
Some of the respondents were aware of the Lagos Resilience Strategy that was launched by the Lagos State government ably led by Babajide Sanwo-Olu but were evidently skeptical that the strategy would go the way of other policy statements or strategic plans before it.
They however advised that the governor should ensure that the strategy does not go the way of others.
