Lagos communities agog, as residents engage lawmakers

bibing

ACROSS the length and breadth of Lagos, halls, open spaces and public car parks were filled to the brim recently. It was the day members of the Lagos State House of Assembly met their constituents for the first ever Constituency Stakeholders Meeting across the state.

Though it was a working day, many people arrived at the different venues before the 10am takeoff time, mostly out of curiosity.

The House of Assembly had given massive publicity to the programme days before, detailing the venues across the 40 state constituencies in Lagos.

In June, the Speaker of the Legislature, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa had in his inaugural speech assured Lagos residents that the assembly would involve the people in their activities. Therefore, the constituency stakeholders meeting presented an opportunity for Lagosians to assess the Lagos lawmakers in terms of their commitment to this promise. Many were they that had trooped to the different venues hoping to pour out their demands to the lawmakers.

The Speaker, Obasa had assured the people that their inputs would form part of the 2016 budget

From Ikorodu, Epe, Lagos Island, Kosofe, Surulere and others, traffic control virtually overwhelmed those in charge, as Lagosians trooped out in their numbers to the different venues.

In Agege where Obasa met his people, every available space was occupied, while security agents had a hectic time controlling the crowd. The story was the same all over the state, as virtually everyone in attendance wanted to speak on their expectations.

Traditional rulers, various unions, traders, community Development Associations (CDAS), the youth, market men and women and others all had one thing or the other to say

Obasa, in his welcome address, told the people that the concept of the meeting was quite unique as it was the first of its kind in the nation’s history. He said the Lagos Assembly was the first to hold such a meeting simultaneously across all the constituencies under its jurisdiction. The meeting, he emphasized, was to rub minds with the people to know their wishes and expectations from government.

Said he: “We are collaborating with our constituencies to ensure that the impact of government in felt at all levels and to reinvestigate rapid socio-economic projects, control of traffic, implementation of traffic laws, security and maintenance of law and order.”

According to the Lagos State number three citizen, the intention was to oil the wheel of the social contract which the lawmakers had with the people. He noted that the state House of Assembly was, by virtue of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, constitutionally empowered to make laws for the peace, order and the government of the state. He said the House of Assembly performs other functions including representation oversight, checks and balances on the Executive and Judiciary and more.

He announced at the event that Agege would soon be the beneficiary of a flyover at Pen cinema area of the constituency.

There was a loud cheer as Obasa made the announcement. The area known as Pen Cinema is a hub of commercial activities. The place records notorious traffic in the mornings and evenings every day.

On Lagos Island, it was a similar scenario. The deputy speaker, Hon Wasiu Eshinlokun told the people of his constituency that the House of Assembly was desirous of knowing the desire of the people for onward transmission to the executive for implementation.

The lawmaker was joined by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Prince Tajuden Olusi. Oba Akiolu was particularly enthusiastic. He commended the Lagos State House of Assembly for giving the people a voice through the initiative.

His thoughts were echoed by Prince Olusi, a veteran politician and leader of the APC in the Lagos Central Senatorial District. He called for more of such rapport between the lawmakers and the people they were representing..

At Lagos Mainland, Hon Oladele Adekanye A.K.A Lado had a crowded hall to contend with, as he engaged his constituents on their expectations. The lawmaker commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for embarking on the construction of over 100 roads across the state.

The lawmaker, who stood for several hours listening and taking notes, assured the people of the sincerity of the Obasa-led Assembly on the project.

He also called on the federal government to quickly fix the power sector to ensure Nigerians were gainfully engaged.

According to the former chairman, Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Monday Ubani, the Lagos State House of Assembly deserved kudos in view of the timeliness, concept and style of the stakeholders’ meeting.

Said he: “I want to commend the Lagos House of Assembly for holding this exercise. All we are asking for at UNILAG Estate, Isheri Magodo is road construction and provision of street lights.” Speaking on the exercise, a rights activist, Mr. Michael Okeziem said the lawmakers had blazed the trail in participatory democracy.

“I want to commend the lawmakers for the initiative because most of the time, we don’t get to have this kind of opportunity to talk to our representatives. That the lawmakers therefore decided to do this on their own shows a clear departure from our past experience. I commend them and hope that other state legislatures will toe the same line for the benefit of the people.”

Spokesman of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Tunde Braimoh who spoke at the Local Government Health Centre Hall, Mascara, Ketu introduced a unique dimension to the meeting. He handed everybody present a form where they were expected to fill in their expectations from government. Two senior staff of the House of Assembly were also on ground to document the people’s requests.

Oba of Ketu, Oba Isiaka Balogun, APC leader in Kosofe, Chief Stephen Oyedele, former chairman, Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Monday Ubani, market leaders and others lauded the quality representation that Braimoh had been providing for the people.

They also commended the Lagos State House of Assembly for bringing about participatory democracy by networking with those who voted them into office.

Source: The Sun