The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • On parties’ merger and realignment

    On parties’ merger and realignment

    The ultra-democratic supposition that majorities necessarily midwife the truth has few enthusiasts these days. We can be grateful that almost the sum of Nigeria’s opposition parties have thus far averted many blatant errors in their bid, this time around, to merge as a progressive party to replace Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), but there is always the danger that it could someday force a compromise that will prove fatal.

    The history of all the parties involved in the ongoing merger talks abound in examples of this process of merger cum renewal. The Action Congress (AC) under the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu before the 2007 Presidential and gubernatorial elections absorbed and gently domesticated the populist impulse that gave birth to the ACN. Much later, the ACN after 2007, co-opted most of the views that had been championed by Asiwaju Tinubu’s progressive thoughts and action in that year.

    These were the acts of a party out of national power, seeking to make fresh alliances for the struggles ahead. It was not surprising, therefore to find certain elements in the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) South-west zone, in the early 2007s during a period out of power, reaching beyond its previous power bases and seeking to join hands with new socio-political forces in the South-west.

    The evidence is fast accumulating that the time for a party realignment that will accommodate the progressive elements within the PDP may at last be ripe. In the National Assembly especially, the failure of the present ruling party to reflect adequately the political desires of a majority of voters is painfully manifest.

    Since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999, the Peoples’ Democratic Party has had majorities in both the Lower House and the Senate, yet this overwhelming predominance has resulted in few policy initiatives that can with any seriousness, be regarded as expressing the will of a majority of the Nigerian people, or even any specific proclivities of the party. The opposition parties with the National Assembly spectrum reaching from ACN to CPC and others have stood for just about everything for our nation, while the PDP in their generality have responded by standing for practically nothing. The result has been that neither of them, taken all in all, has stood for much of anything.

    In presidential terms, the performance of the ruling party at the centre has been proved to be the worst in the annals of governance in Nigeria.

    Might not a realignment of the parties be brought about in which the “liberal/progressive” values endorsed by so substantial a proportion of the population find expression in a party specifically designed to express them?

     

    It is not a new idea, on the contrary, I shall demonstrate that exactly such a political movement has been on the very verge of success in this country slouching around Bethlehem, as it were, trying to be born. Once it came to the brink of realization only to be thwarted by the black mischance of the PDP assassin’s bullet. On another occasion the liberal/progressives themselves, momentarily yielding to the temptation of what appeared to be expedient compromise, threw away a golden opportunity. The attempt being made now for all the liberal/progressive forces to unite and promptly sweep everything before it is welcomed as this is certainly the right time to build a new party together to reflect the true distribution of political forces. Many observers believe the time is opportune for a new major party consciously designed to free PDP’s hold on the jugular of the Nigeria masses’ vein.

    Ideally, the new party to be announced with whatever name that will be attached to it, should originate and grow spontaneously, without reference to the presidential candidacy of any particular individuals. Certainly it must never be allowed to become merely the lengthened shadow of a single man. But in practical terms, the party ought to be able, almost from the very outset, to point to reputable and responsible individuals who at least might, if the circumstances were propitious, accept its presidential and vice-presidential nominations. “You can’t beat somebody with nobody” is one of the oldest and soundest rules in politics, and such essential tasks as recruiting personnel and raising funds for the new party will be well-nigh impossible if there is no one visible on the horizon who at least might make a plausible race for the presidency under its banner.

    Above all, let us restore to generations yet to come, the old and all-but forgotten pride in this country and its heritage. Let us give still further solid and visible grounds for that pride, by making the nation’s streets safe, eradicating corruption from our systems, and let there be light perpetually in the country. Let us make way for ability wherever it exists and remember our obligation of compassion, where it does not.

    We reject the counsels of demagogues who promise something for nothing, and will speak instead the truth, even when it hurts. Above all, we will restore to the Nigerian political process some part of the joy and optimism it has lost.

    For if we succeed, we will have accomplished a mighty thing. We will have reversed in Nigeria, where it counts most – the whole downward-spiraling tide of the 21st Century. There is no reason why this century’s great experiment with freedom must end in failure. It was men and women who created the opportunity, and they who have botched it; and they can rescue it, even now, if they only will. It is up to us, and the means are at hand, a large and devoted majority of the Nigerian people, and a new majority party, under tested leaders, ready to express their will. Together they can save, and formidably reinvigorate our beloved and imperiled country.

     

    • Engr. Shoyebo is the author of the book: “WANTED – Genuine and Patriotic Nigerian Politicians”

  • ACN/CPC merger is hope for new Nigeria

    ACN/CPC merger is hope for new Nigeria

    SIR: If everything goes as planned with the proposed merger between the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Nigeria may be on the way to greatness from 2015.

    An attempt was made in 2011 to confront the arrogance and impunity of the ruling party, PDP but the efforts were not sufficient to checkmate the moles and blacklegs who put spanners in the works. That inability to drive the merger got Nigeria into another big mess for another four years. We have been paying the price of our lack of commitment since 2011.

    ACN has put together a 19-man committee of decent men and women to work with committees of the other parties to produce a blueprint for the real merger. There is little doubt about the potentials of this merger that is leaving the PDP deeply troubled.

    After 16 years of confused and inept leadership, Nigeria needs a change of leadership to move forward. After 16 years of waste, we need real men among men to be in the driver’s seat. After 16 years of foolishness and selfishness in governance at the highest level in Nigeria, Nigerians need a break. Nigeria needs a recreation. Nigeria needs reinvention. Nigeria needs rehabilitation for it has been wrecked in 16 years of recklessness, corruption, impunity and incompetence.

    Let the committee members of the various opposition parties realise that Nigeria is at cross roads and therefore make conscious and spirited efforts to make their own history. Mindful of the need to sustain the argument that history remembers only the winners and that leaders make decisions that create the future they desire, I urge the committee members to declare war on those who throw big stones on the project Nigeria. Men among men who can make the difference here in Nigeria are not in short supply. They live with us. They see our problems and they have solutions to those problems. History beckons on them. More than half of the country’s eligible voters do not vote because they do not believe in the process. They are undecided voters. The people get the kind of leaders they deserve. In 2015 Nigerians must take a stand for change. All must endorse the merger plan for the change that we all need. Yes, real endorsement is the right word. We must be mindful that this is our last chance to pull the chestnut out of a raging fire and we cannot afford to miss this golden opportunity. We will continue to suffer the rule of idiots if we fail again to do what is right.

    • Joe Igbokwe

    Lagos

  • Protecting the girl-child

    Protecting the girl-child

    SIR: Shaped by discrimination and bias, the society, especially in the Third World, has dealt the girl-child a rough blow even before birth. In her journey through life, the girl-child, when lucky enough to be spared, undergoes a lot of harrowing experiences ranging from early marriage, low level of schooling exposure to violence, HIV infection, maternal death and Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF).

    Although child marriage is against the law in many countries including Nigeria, it is estimated that about 51 million girls are forced into early marriages world-wide. Invariably, these early marriages deny girls the opportunity for quality education in addition to depriving them of their childhood. Among the more than 10 million children not in school, approximately 40% are girls.

    In Nigeria, women and girls constitute 60% of the illiterate population. Also, most young wives are burdened by growing up responsibilities, household chores, rearing of children, and consequently do not get a chance to interact with their peers or carry on friendships outside the household. This put them in a state of complete dependency on their husbands.

    As a result of the age gap existing between the child brides and their spouses, they are often exposed to domestic violence and other forms of abuse. Today, of all girls and women’s fears, that of being raped is the darkest. The rape epidemic in our society reflects the extent to which women’s and girls’ (human) rights are being violated. It has gone so bad that minors, as young as 4 years old, are now being raped with resultant effect of preventing the victims from socializing or settling down later in the future.

    Experiences have shown that investments in girls’ education translate directly and quickly into poverty reduction, better health care, better nutrition for the whole family and better overall economic performance. Therefore, one of the best strategies for protecting the girl child is to improve her access to good quality primary and secondary education. By the time she leaves the secondary school she would have been armed with some basic knowledge on how to cope and interact with the opposite sex and the challenges of child rearing. Elimination of gender gaps in school enrolment should be top priority.

    Public awareness should also be created about the dangers inherent in child marriages. Citizens also have to report cases of gender based violence to the police. Machinery should be put in motion to provide support for girls who are victims of early marriages and gender based violence by providing them with options for schooling through part- time or evening classes and in some cases skill acquisition programmes to empower them to be self reliant. Rehabilitation homes should also be built for them for their protection and psychological rejuvenation for renewal of interaction with the public. An example that readily comes to mind is the one put in place by the Lagos State government at Ipaja for the rehabilitation of victims of domestic violence,

    Efforts should be intensified to provide sexual and reproductive health services in form of counselling on family planning methods, safe sex and protection from HIV infection. More funds should be made available for corrective surgeries for victims of VVF.

    It is imperative for policy-makers to bear in mind that the worth of a nation is measured by the number of its empowered girls and not the amount of money in its foreign reserve.

    • Biliqis Bakare

    Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

  • Enhancing mass education through satellite television

    Enhancing mass education through satellite television

    Undoubtedly, President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has made unprecedented progress across the country in the creation of access to quality education amongst less privileged Nigerians. The statistics are clear and the results are nationwide. These are facts that cannot be disputed, even by die-hard critics of the administration.

    A few examples will suffice.  Schools for almajiris across the country, special girl-child schools in educationally disadvantaged communities, on-going construction of schools for out-of-school boys in the south-south and south-east and direct intervention in the improvement of facilities in existing schools in the country. At the tertiary level the Federal Government established nine new Federal universities with eight already on stream, while another three were recently approved. Within the same period, nine new private universities were also awarded licenses to operate.

    This programmed improvement of education opportunities for Nigerians has been premised on the fundamental goal of creating access to basic and tertiary education of the four-year strategy plan for the development of the education sector, 2011 to 2015.

    Beyond the achievements that have been recorded so far as regards the creation of access to schools for Nigerian children and adults, the Federal Government has resolved to directly involve the private sector in working out novel ways to reach those in remote communities of the nation.

    The novel arrangement worked out between the Federal Ministry of Education and television outfit, Daar Communications Plc will ensure that education signals in all subject areas in the basic education sub-sector are disseminated to Nigerian children residing in the 774 local government areas of the country.

    At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), for the partnership between the Federal Ministry of Education and Darr Communications on the project, Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, said that the Federal Government is ready to partner with stakeholders in the private and public sector to deliver quality basic education.

    He said: “We are determined to improve quality education for Nigerians and our resolve is to involve everyone, since government alone cannot shoulder the enormous responsibility of creating acess for Nigerian children.”

    Wike noted that though the Jonathan administration has made monumental investments in the basic education sub-sector, collaborations are still required to increase access across the country.

    He announced that out of the N29billion needed for the project, the Federal Government would not make any financial commitments, aside facilitating the participation of local and statparticipates.

    Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, said that the communications outfit will commit 22 dedicated channels to airing education programmes patterned in line with approved Federal Ministry of Education curriculum. He added that required infrastructure will be developed in all localities in the 774 local government councils and the rural communities of the Federal Capital Territory to transmit signals directly to schools. Satellite facilities to be located in the schools will be backed by electricity generators to ensure uninterrupted learning. Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala, described the project as a landmark initiative to extend the benefits of the Federal Government’s education programmes to all the nooks and crannies of the country.

    Indeed, for the programme to succeed, the states and the local government areas need to buy into the initiative.

     

    By Simeon Nwakaudu

    Abuja, Special Assistant (Media) to Minister of State for Education

  • Oyo ACN’s winning team

    Oyo ACN’s winning team

    The current hoopla being raised by some elements calling for the disbanding of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at executive levels in Oyo State is to say the least appalling and irritating . For what it is worth, the present crop of executive has, thus far, been effective in maintaining party unity, internal cohesion and internal democracy in the party. It is worthy of note to state that the ACN under the leadership of Chief Akin Oke, contrary to these irredentist elements, played a pivotal and very crucial role in midwifing the victory of Governor Ajimobi in the 2011 election.

    Need we remind these naysayers that in the said election, our party could not secure a decisive victory even in Gov Ajimobi’s Ibadanland . Had it not been for the effectiveness of the party machinery in Chief Akin Oke’s homebase in Ogbomoso, inspite of what was universally acknowledged as the almost insurmountable odds, could the then sitting Governor (Akala) have lost the election ?

    To set the record straight, in 2007 when Chief Alao-Akala was just a deputy governor with limited power and access to the state resources, he garnered over 195,000 votes from Ogbomoso zone alone to clinch the governorship mandate. Conversely , in the 2011 Election , after Alao Akala had not only served for four uninterrupted and politically active years as the governor, he, as incumbent governor and member of the maurading PDP, virtually presided over the 2011 Election exercise .Despite his overwhelming advantages, however, and contrary to his natural desire and expectations, Alao Akala’s vote tally from his Ogbomoso home base, but which also doubles as Akin Oke’s base was drastically reduced over 50% .If one may ask, what was Governor Ajimobi’s margin of victory over the then incumbent Gov Alao Akala in that election ?

    If the Oke-led exco , along with others, worked so assiduously to snatch victory from the jaws of the defeat, should their reward be castigation and threats of removal? The Oke team secured the coveted crown for our party in the face of no-holds barred onslaught from a well-oiled competitor with almost unlimited power, patronage and huge state resource-based war chest and financial muscle. But even more importantly, a widely acknowledged dexterity ,willingness, effectiveness and courage and /or ruthlessness to deploy same, as evidenced, for instance, by the abduction of over 160 accredited ACN Party agents from their respective accredited polling units on the election day across Ogbomoso zone !

    By these abductions, ACN was thus denied the service of the polling agents of numerous polling units, with obvious implications for the outcome of polling at the affected units .

    It is a fact, that while almost every political party in the state has been bedevilled by one unending crisis or another , the Chief Akin Oke led exco has deepened cohesion in ACN and further continued to work on further popularising our party among the electorate . It is therefore a disgraceful act for some set of political scavengers and prostitutes who dubbed themselves’ Integrity Parliament’ to call for the disbandment of the exco. Such group that never existed before, or during elections, obviously do not even wish our party well. Otherwise, how can any rational mind situate their call for disbandment of our party’s team of winners ?

    Differences of opinion are the norm in politics. However, when they do occur, matured, disciplined and loyal party members channel such for consideration by appropriate party organs, rather than seeking to bully and blackmail others into submission through issuance of libellous news releases and/or levying of jaundiced and unfounded accusations against otherwise respected organs of the party. One cannot but conclude that given the high level of embarrassment caused and the deep-seated animosity that these individuals have, by their actions, sought to engender in our party, serious disciplinary action must be considered against them.

     

    Abdul Azeez Bolaji,

    Chairman, The Progressive Mind, Ibadan

     

  • SURE-P probe in troubled water

    SURE-P probe in troubled water

    Six federal ministers, among whom were the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; Minister of Transportation, Mr. Abdullahi Umar; Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; and Minister of Niger Delta, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, were reported to have shunned an investigative hearing into the implementation of the Federal Government’s Subsidy Re-Investment Programme (SURE-P) being conducted by the House of Representatives. Others who shunned the hearing were the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Worgu; and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Jonah Otunla. It will be recalled that the House of Representatives had on November 15, 2012, mandated the committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream ), Finance, and States and Local Government to investigate the implementation of SURE-P.

    Mr. Dakuku Peterside, lead chairman of the probe panel, angrily accused the ministers of knowingly undermining the investigation. “This is a deliberate decision of the ministers not to honour the invitation of the House,” he fumed, before postponing the session to February 12. It is not clear whether the absent ministers will find the humility to honour the invitation when the hearing resumes. While only a few of the heads of agencies invited to the hearing bothered to send representatives, the rest did not even offer explanations for their absence. The Petroleum minister, said an aide, was yet to fully resume work from leave, as if that was a sufficient mitigation. There will be many more of such provocative affronts in the coming months, as the National Assembly steps up its oversight responsibilities.

    But few Nigerians are actually surprised that the legislature is often and openly disrespected. Right from the presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, when the culture of subverting the legislature took root, the upper and lower chambers had been periodically destabilised by a meddlesome government obsessed with controlling or at least influencing legislative functions, in addition to its primary executive functions. The presidency’s disguised contempt for the legislature naturally rubbed off on many government ministers and appointees, some of whom, like the former Federal Capital City (FCT) minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, openly insulted the legislature and accused them of seeking gratification to do their oversight job.

    Admittedly, the National Assembly has itself not helped matters. Apart from sometimes indulging in unhealthy and questionable interactions with ministries, agencies and departments, some of which had backfired even in the recent past, the legislature also gives the impression it does not know where its powers end and those of the executive begin. Legislators have sometimes called for the sack of ministers or attempted to cajole the presidency in matters that lie exclusively within the purview of executive responsibility.

    Yet, no misinterpretation of powers or misconception of power boundaries justifies the absence of anyone one, not to talk of ministers, invited to any legislative hearing. It appears that the ministers’ deplorable behavior is a reflection of the presidency’s own condescending view of the legislature. Only recently, a few ministers voiced their frustrations with being frequently summoned by the legislature to answer one question or the other. They were too busy to be tied down to answering questions, they said in obvious indication of their limited understanding of democracy and its dynamics. Indeed, if the executive had treated the legislature with the respect the constitution envisages and our democracy demands and deserves, it is unlikely the ministers would show such appalling disrespect and ignorance. For in the end, Nigerian democracy will not be served if those in authority continue to manifest the kind of abhorrent behavior the six ministers showed on Tuesday.

    Both the presidency and the National Assembly must recognize that a problem exists in their relationship, just as it exists between the executive branch in the states and the Houses of Assembly. This misunderstanding is potent enough to either undermine democracy or at least stultify it. They, therefore, have a responsibility to mend fences and create fora where both parties to the misunderstanding can be enlightened. Yet, no matter how sometimes misguided the legislature may be in interpreting its powers, ministers have absolutely no right to openly disrespect the legislature, let alone ridicule it both in words and by their absence. For that would mean not only undermining institutions upon which our democracy is built, but also their own legitimacy as cabinet members. Ministers can’t claim not to have this elementary understanding.

  • Active citizenship key to development

    SIR: With over 160 million population, Nigeria is yet to experience a robust and dynamic citizen’s involvement in crucial areas of its social life. Until recently, government and the people had no connecting point, but the turn of events in the country has revealed that the active citizen participation positions government and whilst engaging the citizenry.

    Since the 2011 general elections in Nigeria, citizens’ participation has assumed a more impressive dimension particularly at the national level, as citizens now ask questions on various issues and answers are being questioned on policies and arrangements that affect their existence. This was further demonstrated, by the “Nigerian Spring”, a protest that grounded economic activities in Africa’s largest oil producing nation for couple weeks in January 2012.

    While the passion and pursuit to engage the government especially at the national level has increased amongst citizens in recent time, there is however, the need to assess the level of citizens’ participation at the grass-root level. With Nigeria’s structure of a three-tier government, the local government tier is supposed to be the closet to the people, as such should be the most impactful (socially and politically) on the people. Unfortunately, the situation leaves much to be desired.

    Whilst local government authorities, make no concerted effort to create a working connection between the people and itself, the people themselves, find no reason to engage the local system, rather they find solace in being their own local authority as such, heaping pressure on the national and state government, whilst absolving the local government of its responsibilities.

    The dearth of active citizenship at the grassroots level is the hallmark of the many woes the Nigerian society is experiencing today. Nigeria is grappling with high level of terrorism and insecurity, an unfortunate situation which experts have linked to unchecked youth unemployment and high illiteracy level, resulting from a weak local engagement and empowerment.

    If societies must function well, citizens must engage well. Citizens’ participation brings about citizen power. Nigerians at all levels must begin to speak up more loudly on issues that affect them and their society starting from the local government level. The social media provides anyone and everyone the platform to express his or her thoughts on diverse issues as they so choose. Let’s drive our society to our desired destination through constructive criticism and enlightened engagement.

    Societal successes are not achieved by the sole effort of the constituted authority but by the collaborative effort of the citizens and the government. Nigerians, let us rise with knowledge and sincerity to play our roles and responsibilities as active citizens of this great country.

    • Tayo Elegbede JET,

    Lagos

  • The state of the nation

    SIR: Since we became a sovereign nation in 1960, Nigeria has been experiencing religious and ethnic conflicts. We fought a gratuitous civil war that nearly led to the demise of Nigeria. The North has remained a hotbed of religious violence with attendant loss of lives and property.

    In the 1980s, we had the Maitatsine religious uprising. Have we forgotten the Ife/Modakeke war and the Aguleri/Umuleri war? In the Middle-belt, the Jukuns and Tivs are at daggers drawn with each other, and they live like cat and dog. Jos, which used to be peaceful and serene with its beauty, has lost its innocence. The Fulanis have been fighting the Beroms and other tribal groups over ownership of land in Plateau State. When a town is at war, development will be put in abeyance in that area. Owners of industries relocate their industries to safe places.

    The Niger Delta region used to be volatile until the federal government under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua gave the militants amnesty. Many of them were sent abroad to learn trade; others received financial grants while learning trades in such institutions like the Metallurgical Training Institute, Onitsha.

    While the Niger-Delta region is enjoying relative peace, the North is now embroiled in a low-intensity war prosecuted by the Boko Haram. No day passes without the group killing people in the North. Since the Boko Haram insurgency started, thousands of people have been needlessly killed by the group.

    The South-east is afflicted with abduction epidemic. For a rich and prominent man to go for a walk unguarded in the South-East is to beg for abduction. Kidnapping people for ransom is big business. Aren’t we returning to the hobbesian state when life was brutish, short and nasty? Is anarchy not staring us in the face? It is a fact that diversities in colour, tongue, religion and customs are centrifugal forces that cause nation-states to disintegrate. But, we can borrow the American example of turning diversities believed to be curses into blessings. Our greatness should lie in our diversity.

    The issue of lack of security of lives and property should be tackled head-long, if we are to develop as a country. Anarchy is not a force for national development. If anything, owners of industries will relocate their industries to countries with political stability and this will deepen the unemployment crisis in Nigeria. The Boko Haram insurgency has the potentials of destabilising our country.

    • Chiedu Uche Okoye

    Uruowuhu-Obosi, Anambra State

  • Police College Ikeja: Matters arising

    SIR: I watched with shock and disbelief the Channels Television documentary on the Nigerian Police College, Ikeja. That place is an eyesore. That this is Nigeria’s premier police training college beats my imagination. How did such an institution which has produced several great police officers including a former President of Botswana fall into such a sorry state of disrepair?

    We need a total overhaul of the police in order to position it to meet the security challenges in our country. We need to examine staff welfare. How much are our policemen paid? Do they have adequate insurance for their lives if killed in the line of duty? Are their pensions and gratuity paid as at when due? What about their housing conditions?

    A situation in which policemen pay for their own uniforms and boots does not speak well of us as a nation. When Nigerian policemen are sent on peacekeeping missions outside the shores of our land, they perform very well. They even win medals for their efforts. But these are the same policemen who are unable to perform here.

    Training is very essential if we want our policemen to perform their duties optimally. The current state of disrepair of the police college is very shameful. How can men trained under such circumstances turn out to be agents of change in the society? Can you imagine the psychological torture they go through? They can only graduate to take revenge on the society.

    Let our police colleges spread across the length and breadth of this country be renovated and refurbished to meet modern standards. Our policemen should also be sent on crash courses outside the country so that they can see how policing is done in modern societies. They should be trained in the use of ICT as we now live in a digital age. Their weaponry should be upgraded.

    President Jonathan’s statement that someone was out to embarrass the government is nothing but playing to the gallery. He should bring to book those responsible for the state of disrepair in the police college. Mr John Momoh, chairman of Channels Television is a patriot and should be commended for his work of investigative journalism.

    • Peter Ovie Akus

    University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State

  • Waiting for Lagos’ light rail

    To live and work in Lagos can be rewarding. Those in the know appreciate why the state is tagged the ‘centre of excellence.’ With active seaports, airports, and markets, Lagos is magnet for commerce. From all parts of Nigeria and abroad, people flock to Lagos. And the successful Lagosian in some quarters is seen as a conquistador. There is a saying that if one can make it Lagos, one can ‘make’ it anywhere in the world. Day to day living in Lagos is challenging and hectic – very different from other cities in Nigeria. And one very glaring cause for this is the characteristic bottleneck traffic on Lagos streets.

    From dusk to dawn, when the over 15 million inhabitants of the state unleash their presence, the major roads become jam-packed and sometimes, a journey of two kilometres could last for over two hours. The traffic does not care whether one is in town for business or leisure, whether it is routine or an emergency, or whether millions are at stake or just another opportunity to earn a daily bread. In Lagos, the traffic snarls, crawls, and experiencing it can have a draining effect on the body. It is for this reason many people prefer to live outside Lagos and only come into the state to do their business whenever the need arises.

    While the perennial traffic has become the bane of Lagos, the state government over the years have worked on how to reduce the stress on the roads. While traffic lights, overhead bridges, and creation of special law enforcers in the mould of men and officers of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) have come to assuage the situation, many still agree that for the traffic to become more ‘bearable’, more still needs to be done. In fact, original thinking is what is needed. And in Lagos, these have come in different ways. For instance in 2003, the administration of former governor Bola Tinubu created the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), a bus service which had its own dedicated lanes. Though, the BRT ensured rapid mass commute, given the fact that the buses still competed with other road users, the success in terms of reducing bottlenecks on the roads were marginal. Even the water transportation; while it commercially served those living in places like Ikorodu and worked on the Island, it lacked a mass appeal as if served only those close to the waterways.

    With such challenges, it didn’t take much time for the Lagos State government to consider the option of light rail. Well, the idea of a light rail system in Lagos State was originally conceived in the 1980s during the administration of Alhaji Lateef Jakande. Sadly, this scheme was scrapped by the military government of General Muhammadu Buhuari. But, upon being elected governor of Lagos State in 1999, Bola Ahmed Tinubu had revisited the idea and it became a pivotal work of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). However LAMATA in its earliest years of creation concentrated on implementing the BRT scheme. But, by the time there was a change of baton in the administration of Lagos in 2007 and Babatunde Fashola (SAN) became governor, the light rail project started taking shape. In April 2008, the Fashola administration signed a N70bn deal for a Blue Rail line from Okokomaiko to Marina, a distance of 27.5km and with 13 stations in between. Fashola has promised that this light rail which is being built by the China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation, CCECC, would be completed this year. And upon completion by June this year, an end-to-end journey will be approximately 35 minutes.

    With this, Lagosians plying that route can envisage how the transport bottlenecks which have come to characterise Lagos could abate. For one, I can imagine the relief of workers that troop out en-masse every early morning to Lagos Island and backwards in the evenings. Already, I’m thinking of relocating to Badagry. I can picture myself, five years from now, a proud owner of a bungalow with a backyard facing the Atlantic Ocean, hosting friends and family to routine weekend barbeque parties. Of course, it is, for I envisage that will be my house, where I live. For someone whose hustles take place on Mainland Lagos, I know you must be thinking I’m going bonkers contemplating going to live in Badagry. Yes, I would have thought so too. But, once the light rails come into existence, I know I can enjoy the best of both worlds. Considering some other persons would be thinking like me, I want to bet traffic congestion is closer to being a thing of the past on the ‘infamous’ Mile 2/Seme expressway.

    And, contrary to some thinking, the Lagos Light rail project is not only planned for the Lagos/Badagry axis. In a partnership with the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Lagos stat government will provide light rail coaches to cater for passengers from Alagbado, bordering Ogun State to Marina also in Lagos. This service will complement already running train service being provided by the NRC.

    Surely, with improvement in transport situation expected when the light rails become functional in Lagos, there is bound to be increase in commerce and Lagosians would begin to benefit from easy and fast intra-city movement. Man-hours lost in traffic would reduce, thereby making Lagosians more productive. Also, the social life is bound to increase dramatically as many people on purpose ‘waste’ valuable time either being trapped or waiting to avoid traffic jams.

    In order for the light rail to however become a reality, the Fashola administration needs the continued co-operation of all property owners whose properties could affect the take-off of the project. Also, Lagosians nay Nigerians desirous of progress must gear up to ensure this move to step up transportation in Nigeria’s busiest city is frictionless.

    • Thomas writes from Ikeja, Lagos