Ambode, cabinet and governance

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s new cabinet reveals a blend of the old and the new. Such a mixture makes for continuity, a feature that is necessary for governance.

In view of the Supreme Court’s pronouncement, there is nothing again to distract the governor from his onerous responsibilities. And talking of responsibilities, we daresay that the governor has his work cut out for him. Perhaps the first one is the state of inner roads in the sprawling city. These roads are in various stages of decay. One telling instance here can be seen in the roads which are proximate to Saint Jude’s School, Ebute Metta, which, incidentally, is Governor Ambode’s alma mater.

We are not unmindful of the fact that the governor is aware of what is being said here. This is because of news reports that N19 billion has already been voted for the rehabilitation and construction of two roads in each of the 57 local government and development areas. There is a lot to commend in this gesture. We wish to add, however, that this gesture should not be an isolated one. Rather, and on an annual basis, such attention should be paid to the roads in all the 57 local council areas.

Another area which demands urgent attention is the gridlock which currently hallmarks the mega-city. A lot can be done through the traffic management authorities at both state and federal levels. Here is hoping that the necessary creativity and vision on the part of the authorities will go a long way to stem this scourge.

And talking about gridlock, the one in and around Apapa evidently takes the cake here. As it is, there is a lot to be said for the combined efforts of the various security and traffic agencies as regards this particular gridlock. But this is a mere palliative. What the governor should also do, working with the Federal Government, is to embark on the long-term measure of relocating all the tank farms to Ibeju-Lekki. We are also of the view that while Lagos is truly the city of aquatic splendour, its aquatic resources have been put to minimal use. If the water which surrounds Lagos is used in a maximum way, the roads will be free.

As regards security, a mega-city like Lagos has necessarily attracted a lot of characters into the city. On this score, one cannot but sympathise with the governor. This is because as things stand, he cannot put in place a visa regime for those who seek to enter the city. We therefore urge the government to examine the existing security infrastructure put in place by his predecessors, study its strengths and weaknesses with a view to building on it.

But even then, security is not just about hardware. There is also the human dimension of security. We urge the governor to pay due attention to this human component. This can be done by putting in place sustainable policies that will guarantee jobs to the teeming army of the unemployed. As daunting as this appears, it is not impossible. One starting point is that a number of state agencies should be told to desist from their burdensome tactics. An instance here is the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), which goes around harassing micro companies that in a way contribute to the reduction of unemployment in the city.

Again, housing remains a problem in the city. Reflex action will not do here. In other words, the government should not go around building houses for the masses and the elite. Rather, what should be done is to put in place utilities like roads, water and power, particularly in the rural areas. We are confident that if this is done, the entrepreneurial energy of the Nigerian people will rise to the occasion such that houses will spring up.

One critical area which should urgently engage the attention of the Ambode government is the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. So much hope has been raised on this vital facility, yet the nirvana is not in sight. Closely related this is the light rail project which continues to drag, such that the completion date has become something of a mirage. Efforts should be made to complete these two projects during the tenure of Governor Ambode.

Even though it may seem too early in the life of the Ambode administration, time is really not on his side. In reality, the governor has less than 36 months to accomplish what we have set out here. His last year in office will be spent mainly on his re-election efforts if, hopefully, he seeks re-election.

Thus, Governor Ambode and members of his cabinet should roll up their sleeves and govern competently. History, we daresay, beckons. And will Governor Akinwunmi Ambode be found wanting? The answer, so to say, is in the womb of time.