LASG restates commitment to rural development at CDHR’s monthly forum

The Lagos State government has echoed its poise to intensify the existing drive for rural development.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy Honourable Gbenga Omotosho affirms the state’s effort and further plans in this regard, while speaking at the monthly gathering tagged- Citizens Accountability and Rights Forum (CARF), organized by the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) in partnership with Centre for Anti Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL).

Omotosho while speaking at the CDHR monthly parley held on Thursday tagged: Local Government Administration and Rural Populace in Lagos State. What Next for Development? Highlighted the laudable feat of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu lead government of the state.

He hinted that many projects targeted at discouraging rural-urban drift are in full swing, adding that the 2024 budget has performed optimally close to 60 percent already.

“We are serious about accountability; Lagos state is financing the rail line projects from its own balance sheet and by September our red line will start commuting people from Agbado to Oyingbo.

He added that the already functional blue rail line is clearly easing travel time and saving man hours lost to traffic in time past, even as 15 new ferries built by indigenous engineers had been commissioned for use since June 12,2024.

“20 more is envisaged to come upstream thereby opening the waterways more and encouraging passengers to travel in a safe, convenient and equally faster route to their destinations, connecting the rural areas to the urban centres.

In his view people can leave in the rural area and work in urban area of the state thus creating a link like what exists in big cities of the world like: Mumbai, Los Angeles and New York.

Omotosho added that the Light up Lagos scheme was too costly to maintain as it cost the state 600million naira per month.

“We felt it is crazy so we are turning some of the poles to gas powered, likewise changing the boxes to less energy consuming ones.

“Some of the poles will also be connected to power holding companies and we intend to do the solar powered lights too to save cost.”

Speaking earlier at the forum the keynote Speaker Honourable Bolaji Kayode Robert Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, pin pointed the fact that provision of basic amenities in the rural areas is key to ensure the stoppage of needless drift from the rural areas.

According to Robert the nexus between these two entities is important for growth.

“Provision of social amenities is the major focus of the local government and we have urged the local governments to ensure it goes round the existing wards of their localities, and there is this healthy competition brought about among the local governments of the state.

“In pursuit of national development recognition of local governments is key, Lagos being a cosmopolitan state does not translate to neglect of the rural areas as 35 percent of the state is rural and in need of infrastructures, since the return to civil rule in 1999 much is being done to address it.

Mr. Robert who was represented by Mr Raymond Ogunjobi maintained that the rural areas harbour the state’s strength in the area of agriculture, rich cultural heritage and more but limited financial resources, lack of administrative capacity and policy.

“The recent adjustment in the nomenclature of the ministry to accommodate the rural development signals the commitment of Lagos to development agenda in the local government-Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development.

“16 potable water projects have been completed across rural areas of the state as well as 93 water sanitation projects, provision of transformers to make room for power supply which is fundamental in achieving sustainable development.

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“We are fostering tailored solutions in the area of accountability through community engagement, over 18,000 kilometres of road is being constructed to open up the areas and boost development.”

Key players in the Local government administration like Mr. Haruna Ayodeji (Agege LGA), Mrs. Aderonke Odusanya (Ikorodu LGA) and Hon. Kolade Omisore (Secretary Ojokoro LCDA) were present and made salient contributions on how the populace welfare had been the focus of their government at the parley.

Omisore stated how critical development had been ensured in the council owing to a periodic stakeholders townhall meeting, held to garner resident needs prior to the making of their yearly budget.

He added that questionnaires are distributed to residents in order to sample peculiar needs of their wards for inclusion in the council’s budgetary provisions.

In his welcome address the CDHR President Comrade Debo Adeniran who equally moderated the forum, emphasised the importance of ensuring good governance at the grassroots being the rung of ladder closest to the people-the third tier of government in the state.

“It is important to appreciate the importance of the local government administration in any political and governance structure.

“Without doubt, it is the foundation on which the superstructure of the state is based and the most effective tier of government to meet the basic needs of the citizens as it is the tier closest to the people.

“It is thus our hope that you will fully appreciate that it is futile to suppose that a federal system can function efficiently and effectively by concentrating focus, powers and resources in the central government to the detriment of the federating states and local governments.”

Adeniran maintained that the parley is centred on ensuring the protection of masses welfare at the local government level.

“The idea of focusing on the state government’s policies and activities and gathering people to discuss it, is anchored on our determination to ensure that the common man on the street is not short changed by government policies.

“It encourages an all-embracing, all-inclusive implementation of government’s policies so as to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the State.”