MEGA CITY, POOR PEOPLE

I recall reading a book written by Bashorun J.K. Randle about some of the political happenings in the Second Republic which may aptly capture the ongoing mega developments in Lagos State, unless urgent steps are taken to also address its rising poverty rate. 

It goes like this, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the then president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had arrived with supporting publicity and mammoth crowd in tow in one of the country's rustic communities to launch a sewage treatment plant built for the benefit of the community at great cost. 

After the great speeches by the politicians on the benefits of the sewage treatment plant to the community and the tape cutting ceremony to declare the plant open, comments were invited from one member of the community regarding the benevolence of government in blessing the community. 

This was supposed to be the icing on the cake but the comment made by an old man from the community unceremoniously brought the launching event to an abrupt end as he questioned the wisdom of the sewage treatment plant wondering what it would process when the people in the community had nothing to eat. 

There is no doubt that Babatunde Raji Fashola has vigorously pursued his campaign theme of, 'Eko O Ni Baja', literally meaning 'Lagos will not go bad' as a drive around the metropolis reveals mega development infrastructure projects both completed and ongoing. 

From road constructions to building world class markets, to beautification of the environment and introduction of street lights, introduction of traffic lights to ease traffic flow, establishment of leisure gardens, improved public transportation and much more the rapid transformation of Lagos into a mega city is well on its way. 

With news reports that Lagos State Government will require an additional N6.1 trillion to build additional infrastructure in key areas such as expansion and improvement of water supply network, provision of efficient road network and drainages and yes, as well as in expansion and maintenance of sewage system, the attainment of mega city status is not in doubt. 

Financing of infrastructure development has largely been through the use of bonds and increased Internally Generate Revenue by the Lagos State Government through the adoption of an effective tax collection system which started during the tenure of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and which has further been ramped up since Babatunde Raji Fashola became governor. 

The burden of the improved tax regime of the Lagos State Government has largely been borne by Lagosians and businesses in Lagos, but the collateral damage on many Lagosians by the pursuit of mega city status that has resulted in the demolition of houses used for businesses and residential purposes, demolition of markets, eviction of road side and street traders, artisans, has been on the high side. 

It is easy to commend the efforts of the Lagos State Government for the improvements in the outlook of Lagos especially when across the nation one is hard pressed to find judicious use of public funds but when you are on the receiving end of the devastation necessary to make room for attainment of mega city status and there is no social safety net to fall back on one may not be so appreciative. 

In an environment characterized by high living and rental costs, payments for education and health needs and the other sundry challenges that go with Lagos life, many Lagosians are suffering and being pushed below the margin of what is required for survival. 

The ‘dense’ response one sometimes hears from those who cannot see the devastating impact the pursuit of mega city status is having on many Lagosians is that those who cannot cope in Lagos should find their way back to their respective villages, a response that I will not dignify with a rebuttal. 

The 1999 Constitution is clear about Federal, States and Local Governments putting the well being and welfare of Nigerians as the primary responsibility of government and this is why I am calling on Babatunde Raji Fashola to thinker with his popular theme to also accommodate the wellbeing and welfare of Lagosians, i.e. Eko and Lagosians O Ni Baje! 

We do want and support the attainment of mega city status by the Lagos State Government but we also call and support the pursuit of programs that will address the rising levels of poverty in Lagos State and ensure that, unlike the people in the community with a sewage treatment plant that could not be utilized, Lagosians can be in a good state of mind to appreciate the mega city status of Lagos State.