There is no doubt that these are very tough times nationwide and indeed globally. Here at home, widening disparities in forex remain of great concern while prices of consumer goods and the rest continue to soar to the utter discomfiture of both the rich and the poor. There is a general lamentation in the land, so palpable it is frightening. Yet in the midst of our multifarious challenges, one cannot but be impressed by a series of predominantly cheery news emanating from the Lagos State Government.
Top on the table, for me, is the broadening of the Lagos transportation infrastructure.
With the Blue line train already transporting hundreds of commuters daily between Mile 2 and the Island, also projected for expansion in coverage to Okoko with additional coaches in no distant future, one can only begin to imagine how much easier lives and commuting in Lagos will be with the Red Line Rail system. The latter's first phase will move more than 500,000 passengers daily, covering a distance of over 27 kilometres from Agbado, with other stations at Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, and terminating at Oyingbo in Ebute-Metta. That's huge!
If you have been part of this burstling city long enough, you would give kudos to the government in the areas of infrastructural developments generally and especially the integrated transport system which is pratically facilitating a largely city-wide multi-level operations fit for a metropolis with such importance as Nigeria and indeed Africa's economic hub.
To cope with the ever swelling population of Lagos, these audacious steps are needed and we must admit, politics apart, that it takes an imaginative and proactive leadership to be on top of it all.
To be sure, all these initiatives are not impulsive measures but part of a masterplan that Governor Sanwo-Olu code named Project T.H.E.M.E.S, ( an acronym for his administration's six strategic development agenda namely, Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism as well as Security and Governance).
Given recent developments with visible and tangible results, there is little debate that the government is touching all these areas one after another impacting the lives of Lagosians positively.
Take the road networks for instance, if you have cause to move around from Ikorodu, to Badagry to Epe, there are ongoing construction and rehabilitation works you would see across the state.
Aside from the massive Lekki- Epe expressway, the planned airport and other related projects in that axis, there's the is the road project with bridge on the mainland, linking Ifako-Ijaiye Government and Ojodu Local government with the rest of the metropolis.
Slated for completion in the first quarter of this year, this also forms part of the state government's efforts at improving connectivity and consolidating the transportation pillar of the THEMES+ Agenda
As a business owner, I am particularly excited at the news of the state's newly introduced micro-business loans. As widely publicised, there's now an application portal for businesses to access funds of up to N5 million, a much- needed support for many to stay in business amid these challenging times The loan is reportedly open to all types of business owners who are ready to scale operations or expand to new markets.
That this initiative is coming at the heels of the recently launched 'Lagos Market
Trader Money' where as many as 15,000 beneficiaries got N50 000 each, made the loans to SMEs altogether commendable.
These are not mere happenstances. According to the SA to the Governor on Tax and Revenue - Mr Ogungbo Opeyemi Abdul-Kabir, all of the above measures are reasons people must continue to appreciate the nexus between the taxes they pay and government's capacity to fund its various projects which are essentially targeted at improving the socioeconomic environment and the welfare of the people.
"Taxes and revenues are key components of what empowers the government to expand social amenities to all Lagosians including the old and the indigent. So individuals and corporate bodies who pay their taxes and fulfil their statutory obligations to the government timely and without proding are, by the same token, helping to take care of the underprivileged, tackle road congestion as well as combat the spread of disease and crime", he said in a recent statement.
The latest good news is that Sanwo-Olu has announced a 25% reduction in transport services for the State Public Transport system, covering BRT, Train, and Ferry, as well as initiatives to provide free daily meals for over 1,000 people, open Sunday Markets in 42 identified locations.
In addition, government hospitals are now to provide pregnant women free deliveries including cesarean sections. Only families who have experienced the apprehension that accompany this particular health care needs would appreciate the magnitude of the governor's thoughtfulness especially at this period of pervading socioeconomic challenges.
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A word of caution though. There's the need to call for transparency in all these and upcoming interventions. Not too long ago, we saw how the Fed Govt free and sibsidized transportation during the last festive season was hijacked and messed up, leaving thousands of intended beneficiaries stranded and befuddled.
It is important that Governor Sanwo-Olu put the right measures in place to ensure that none of his initiatives become avenue for self-enrichment by well positioned civil servants, politicians and their cronies.
Records and full identities of all who are benefiting from Lagos state free social intervention must be accessible to civil societies and any other interested persons now and in future.
In closing, to say there would always be numerous areas calling for improvement in governance and the so-called dividends of democracy is to say the obvious. Yet, even at this, there is a level of developmental achievements in Lagos State which should earn those at the elm of affairs some fair acclaim for a job well done so far.
*Luwaji is an entrepreneur and public affairs analyst.
