Bennett Oghifo
Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has assured to build a more interconnected Lagos, decentralise government services, and develop the distinctive economic advantages of the five divisions of the state, namely: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe (IBILE).
Speaking during an interview at a radio station in Ikorodu, Hamzat said the growth of the State must be driven by a deliberate effort to harness the comparative advantages of each division, adding that his vision is to create a Lagos where residents would not have to travel to Alausa for services that could be provided within their respective divisions.
The Deputy Governor stated that strategic government presence in Ikorodu, Epe, and other divisions would bring governance closer to the people and make public services more accessible, elucidating that residents must have easier access to government services, efficient transportation, and other essential infrastructure closer to their communities.
“We must decentralise Lagos. Alausa should not be the only place where people can access government services. We should have mini-secretariats in Ikorodu, Badagry, and Epe, so that perhaps 80 per cent of the services people need can be resolved within their divisions, while matters requiring further attention can be escalated to Alausa. Also, each division of the state needs to develop around its unique economic strengths, and government must deliberately “plug into” the opportunities available in different parts of Lagos,” Hamzat said.
Furthermore, Hamzat identifaied Ikorodu’s potential in agriculture, food processing and transportation, promising to develop infrastructure around emerging institutions and economic activities in other divisions.
He emphasised the importance of organisation within the state, noting that reorganisation of local government administration must cover both physical and financial structures, with effective systems put in place to improve accountability, eliminate leakages and identify issues such as ghost workers.
The Deputy Governor further stressed the importance of planning Lagos as a borderless metropolitan city, noting that residents of neighbouring states also depend heavily on the State’s infrastructure and public services. He cited the example of Orile Agege General Hospital, where a significant proportion of patients come from outside Lagos, saying such realities must be taken into account in planning healthcare, transportation, water and other public infrastructure.
Hamzat assured stakeholders that the development of the State must remain inclusive, with the specific needs and opportunities of each division reflected in government planning.