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Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor

(Opinion) Ambode and the gains of all inclusive governance

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor
BILKIS BAKARE

Although Lagos state is the smallest state in Nigeria, with an area of 356,861 hectares of which 75,755 hectares are wetlands, yet it has the largest conurbation in the country. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), Lagos is the fastest growing city in the world, with a growth rate of 85 people per hour. The state, today, has a
population of over 21 million people. Although the state may be cosmopolitan in outlook but it also has its fair share of rural communities. Approximately 12 percent of the people of Lagos State dwell in the suburbs, country sides and remote villages.
It is, therefore, in an effort to ensure even and accelerated development in all parts of the state that the Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode administration anchors its development drive in this state on what it terms ‘all inclusive governance.’ Ambode’s idea of an all inclusive government is one in which “no one or segment of the society, irrespective of colour, race, faith, status, ability or disability is left behind.”
The philosophy of the current administration in Lagos State is that for democracy to truly remain the government of the people, by the people and for the people, the active involvement of the people in governance must always be constantly encouraged and, indeed, deliberately courted. This is because the citizens are the bedrock of
democracy.

In order to properly synchronize his administration’s plan to constantly engage the public on various issues of governance, Ambode created the Office of Civic Engagement, in the Deputy Governor’s Office, to effectively coordinate engagements between the government and the public. Through this, the citizens have been provided with a platform that could make reaching out to the government a seamless task. The Office serves dual purposes. One, it
enables the people to make their needs known to the government. Two, it aids the government to ensure the execution of people-driven programmes.

Thus, since it came on board last May, the Ambode administration has had extensive discussions with a variety of stakeholders on different sectors of the state. In doing this, the major goal of the administration is to fashion out tactical ways to establish methods of developing fresh ideas that will assuage the sufferings of the people
and advance the worth of social life and economic development. This was what informed some of the several stakeholders’ forums which it has held, especially with the aim of adopting and adapting some of the best practices in the advanced nations of the world. Therefore, the state government has been able to study the diverse challenges and issues facing public governance in the state, as well as prioritizing key areas where action is needed. This would enable the state to balance competitiveness with quality of life and institutionalized sustainability.
The result is that there is now a renewed effort and commitment to further transform the city into an enviable model megacity. The Ambode administration has commenced the initiation and implementation of integrated policies, programmes and projects intended to improve the living standards of people living in the rural areas with the aim of reversing the rural- urban migration problem. These initiatives have the tendency to decongest high density areas and ultimately bring a reduction to the pressure on infrastructures in the metropolis.
One of the strategies being evolved to achieve this is that the Ambode administration has chosen to talk with the people at the grassroots rather than talking to them. This is evident in the first quarterly rendering of account of stewardship which was taken to the grassroots, precisely Abesan mini stadium in Alimosho Local Government Area. Unarguably, this is one of the ways of returning governance to the communities. And according to the Governor, the quarterly briefing which replaced the 100 days account of stewardship of the previous administration is one of the platforms designed to enable the people effectively participate in governance. It is a forum that enables the
people to rub minds on salient issues bordering on the overall improvement and development of the State. It is the conviction of the state government that the platform would afford the people at the grassroots the opportunity of becoming major players in governance.
One major index of social change and development today is indeed rural development. No nation can boast of having achieved development if a large percentage of her rural inhabitants are still wallowing under abject poverty, want and a depth in socio-economic penury. Given the catalogue of challenges facing local government, it is imperative
that while local government should remain as a third tier of government, it should be given more powers, resources and enabling environment for the development of localities.
To address these challenges, the local government areas in Lagos State are now being empowered to carry out infrastructure development in their various communities. To take governance back to the grassroots, the Ambode administration has concluded plans to commence the construction of 114 inner roads, estimated at a cost of
N17.5billion across the 20 Local Governments (LGs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state. This is designed to complement the massive road construction and rehabilitation going on in the State which culminated in the repair of 300 roads in just seven months. The inner roads project, which would be completed within the next six months, will be executed to standard requirement with street lights, sidewalks and covered drains. Aside from making life better for the communities involved, these road constructions will also serve as sources of employment for the residents. It is instructive to emphasize that the handling of all issues concerning the construction of the roads is the exclusive preserve of the local councils in partnership with the Community Development Associations, CDAs.
It is equally important to stress that the “Lagos Count Down”, an initiative of the previous administration which has become a tradition for the State Government to usher in the New Year with pomp and pageantry was improved upon this year. Tagged “One Lagos Fiesta”, this year’s celebration was savoured in five different locations covering
the five divisions of the state. Compared to the previous celebrations which were confined to the Island, thereby restricting a large number of residents from participating in the celebrations, this year’s festival was enjoyed in Agege, Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry and the Lagos Island. The grand finale was also beamed live to all Lagosians. This
laudable initiative is aimed at giving every resident of the state a sense of belonging, allow communities to enjoy dividends of democracy and also to attest to the all inclusive form of governance embraced by the present administration.
However, for the people to fully exploit the prospect of the Ambode administration all inclusive approach to governance, they need to partner with the state government through prompt payment of their taxes and other dues as well as strict adherence to all the laws of the land. It is a well established fact that concrete development
could take place in a lawless and disorderly society.

Bakare is of the Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

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