t would be difficult for one to go to bed with a quiet conscience if one did not speak about the matters untouched and spaces uncovered in the first two years of the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State. One would have particularly failed, considering the fact that eulogies have rent the entire spectrum of media space extolling his great deeds in just two years. The plaudits are probably well earned, but we insist there are things that ought to have been done but are left undone. That is the concern of this column; and this is in aid of further enriching the big, bold mega city spirit.
Albeit, we shall indeed start off with the good news, the things accomplished and achieved. And first, the intangibles. While many are carried away by flyovers and expressways, what one considers the grist of this administration is the public demeanour and temperament of the chief executive. This variable will define the actions and activities of this administration for as long as it lasts.
The very first and perhaps most laudable action of Governor Ambode was to defang LASTMA and curtail its impunity. By the time he took over on May 29, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, set up to improve traffic flow, had become lords unto themselves and a burden to commuters. They charged, they bailed, they arrested and convicted. They extorted and were a revenue machine for themselves and the government at the expense of the people.
LASTMA kicked and yelled, even tried blackmail for a few days as he tried to change their deplorable attitude to work. But Ambode stood his ground. The government and her officials must have a human face, he insisted. LASTMA is a much changed and better agency today. Commuters are happier for it.
As if to reiterate the message of humane-nity in public service, he recently banished the more despicable Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO). That a governor in today’s Nigeria would re-orientate public servants to render service with respect and dignity for the citizenry is for me, the acme of good leadership and a greater achievement than any brick and mortar. (Though one thinks the services of the VIOs are still required if only they can be made to do their jobs of ridding the city of smoky, rickety vehicles that ought to be banished from the roads).
The second significant difference that has been made by the Ambode leadership in the last two years is the ability to quickly pigeon-hole the centres of traffic jam in the emerging mega city and unbundle such dark spots, so to speak. Some parts of Lagos had been remorselessly bedevilled by gridlock for the best of two decades without let. Commuting in some of these places is better now.
The Dopemu, Iyana-Ipaja, Abule Egba- Agege, Ajah, Lekki corridors were notorious. But then, the magnificent flyover of Abule Egba unveiled last week and a similar one in Ajah are palliatives which are at once profound and salubrious to the well-being of the city and her people.
In other words, the Ambode government has a good face, it has a big heart and it’s doing brave things including the massive international highway from Badagry to CMS, Lagos. The work started long before his time on this major artery including the adjunct rail and water transport but the pace now seems to be non-stop – day and night, rain and shine.
THINGS NOT DONE: Salutary as all the above may be we are yet to see that holistic and integrated approach we canvassed for at the outset and which can drive the city to its destination as a world class metropolis in a short stride. Here is a checklist.
One: No matter how brave, plucky and even omnipotent a governor can be, unless his local government councils are working in tandem with him, he can only do so much. The LGAs in Lagos have not been up to speed with the governor. And we say that the onus, the power and authority lie with the governor to make every unit of administration under his control to function effectively.
While Ambode attends to major roads how many inner roads have been repaired or refurbished in two years? We all live in LGAs; do we see the drains being cleared, do we have the small streets and lanes attended to; in fact do we notice the presence of the local councils in any form whatsoever? No, unless they want to collect one rate or the other.
And this applies to the entire country. Until we get the third tier of government working in Nigeria, not only will development elude us, chaos and calamities will continue to trail us as is witnessed all over the country. And it must be noted that any governor that manages to get his LGAs working accountably would be the governor that can lay any true and genuine claim to performance in office.
It also must be said that making an LGA work is easy for any governor who seeks true glory and here is how: have serious-minded people head the LGAs; approve their budgets; fund their projects, supervise and monitor them closely. It’s as simple as that.
Imagine that half of the inner roads in Lagos had been fixed now? Imagine that LGAs are managing their refuse and their neighbourhood security, to mention just a few examples?
And speaking about security, no reasonable commentator can in good conscience give Ambode a pass mark. But not because he has not given it a good shot; not because he hasn’t invested billions of naira in the last 24 months; but his efforts have not worked largely because the LGAs are not working.
Brigands terrorize Ikorodu, Igando and other areas kidnapping and maiming because we have vast unmanned and un-networked spaces. If all our LGAs, LCDAs, wards, CDAs and landlords associations are working in tandem, there would be no place for any hoodlum to hide. Unless we link up all these chains and have them well oiled, we would be wasting too much time and efforts.
Two: this administration has not been able to tap into sports, tourism, aqua-nomics, targeted agro-hub and entertainment to boost revenues and develop our youths. Too many young girls and boys are loitering about the city unengaged. A Lagos football league, enabled by the state government will immediately engage about 10,000 boys and girls and distract over 100,000 from certain mischief every match day. Other team sports leagues can follow. The economics of this is huge and value chain long.
The huge tourism potentials of this mega city have not been broached; so have the water transport and aquatic economy not yet ignited; imagine ten million Lagosians daily consuming poultry produced in Lagos… the opportunities are limitless.
True, the governor has a good sight and a lot of energy but the scope of action is yet narrow.
Edo Line: To kill a great brand
It was a spectacle watching Governor Godwin Obaseki and a motley crew of hapless workers in what turned out to be an epilogue for a once illustrious public transport brand, Edo Line. In a fit of much restrained anger, the governor declared to the world that he had deployed the morose crew (that drove the firm aground) to the Ministry of Transport and that Edo Line would be history.
We think the governor is in error. First, state transport firms are the biggest, cheapest and easiest source of IGR for states. Second, Edo Line is among the oldest and best of such brands with good parks in many cities of Nigeria, thus it remains very viable. Third, all the governor needs do is concession the brand to God is Good Motors; GUO or any other transport firm on a yearly contract and he could get N250m delivered to Edo State’s coffers every month; without spending a dime, without lifting a finger.
Edo Line is a gold mine, don’t kill it.
