- By Fatiah Akinrilade and Ganiyat Mumuni
Residents of Lagos Mainland Local Government have called on the authorities to provide essential social amenities to alleviate their daily struggles and economic hardship.
Market women at Oyingbo Modern Market are particularly affected by the lack of proper drainage, which cause flooding during rainfall.
Speaking with The Nation, the market women claimed the local government collected funds for construction of the drainage but failed to deliver.
“The Local Government collected N350 from each of us for a brick lap that was destroyed soon after. They told us to take a loan from LAPO to improve our goods, but many of us are still struggling to repay. The government has abandoned us,” A market woman lamented.
Residents are also facing challenges with housing, as landlords increase house rent arbitrarily.
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“A room now costs N500,000. How can we afford that? Government should intervene and talk to the landlords to be considerate,” a resident said, adding “we are struggling with economic challenges, including high transportation fares, increased prices of commodities, and lack of job opportunities. We can’t afford to live like this anymore,” a resident pleads.
Young graduates are also affected, with many unable to find employment.
“I studied Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Ibadan, but I’m now selling Okro. Is this what I studied for?”, she said.
The residents commended the council chairman and the management for constructing some roads but demands more action.
“We need food, water, electricity, and jobs. The local government should disburse resources to the community, not just share it among themselves,” they said.