A group under the aegis of Lagos Peoples’ Assembly has commended governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode for his efforts to develop the state in all ramifications.
It also stated that the was doing his best to position Lagos State as a preferred destination point for investment and tourism through adherence to its master plan.
A statement jointly signed by the Convener, Comrade Femi Lawson and Clerk, Mallam Okwechime Abdul also applauded the governor the reductions in charges payable in the State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we fully identify with the aspirations of
the Governor for holistic development of the State. We note that an
unwary observer of governance in the State would have jumped into the
conclusion that the State is for the development of areas where the
upper middle class reside like Victoria Gardens City, Victoria Island,
Ikoyi, Lekki, Ikeja etc. in terms of provision of basic infrastructural
facilities.
“However, the strides of this administration in the near slum areas of
the State is worthy of commendation. Vintage examples can be cited with the bridges in Abule Egba, Aboru/ Ipaja, and Agege as well as the
ambitious infrastructural strides in Epe, Ikorodu and Badagry.
“We totally share the underlying philosophy of the State as encapsulated
in the recently amended Land Use Charge Law 2018. It is an equitable
social justice practiced globally to tax in progressive ratio the more
privileged, affluent and wealthy sections of society in order to provide
basic social amenities for the poorer sections. This is not just a
social re-engineering mechanism but a veritable tool for holistic socio
economic growth, social stability and security. It is trite to emphasize
that the rich can sleep better when the poor are not hungry and can live
in habitat suitable for human beings and not in zoological environment,” it read.
The group projected that the population of Lagos would rise to 35 million from the present estimated 20 million in a few years in spite of its loss of the status of ‘special city’.
“The State administrators must put on its thinking caps and reason out of
the box on how to meet up with the challenge of gaping infrastructural
deficits in health, education, housing, pipe down water, road network
sports, street lights, security and habitable environment.
“In a democracy, there is no one man show, it is run by institutions and
processes. We thus advise those who are against the developmental
policies of the State to modern and civilised status to engage the
parliament/State House of Assembly that passed the law instead of
threatening fire and brimstone to create social chaos in the State. It
is trite to reiterate that no group had the monopoly or copyright to
mass actions,” the group further stated.
While challenging the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to seek redress in courts, the group wondered why the private sector was not in support of the efforts of the state government.
“We challenge the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja
Branch to seek judicial interventions or be prepared to meet us in
street barricades.
“It is rather worrisome that the organized private sector which ought to
be a social partner on the infrastructural development of the State has
seemingly become organized political sector for some hawks in corridors
of power. We owe it a duty to alert the good people of Lagos on the
injurious intentions of these anti developmental elements.
The group urged the people of Lagos state to remember that world-class cities like Tokyo, New York, London, Singapore etc. were built by statesmen with developmental vision like Ambode.
“We therefore, call on Lagosians to continually rally round him,” the group stated.
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