The Lagos State House of Assembly member representing Badagry Constituency I, Hon. Olanrewaju Layode yesterday 29th October 2020 hosted stakeholders across the constituency and pledged for onward push for the course of enhancing growth and development in the constituency.
The meeting which took place at Huwanji Hall, Badagry, with the theme “Post Covid-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Prospects” held simuntaneuously in all the constituencies of Lagos State. It had in attendance traditional rulers; the Chairman of Badagry Local Government Area, Mr. Olusegun Onilude; Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area, Mr. Henugbe Joseph; Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu; councillors, party leaders across the constituency, youths among others.
During his keynote address, the chief host of the programme, Hon. Olanrewaju Layode noted that, the birth of the programme years back was aimed at creating an interfacing avenue between the government and the governed for discourse and responsiveness to people’s need.
Hon. Layode therefore stated that the programme so far has yielded positively pointing out that the programme led to the construction of Joseph Dosu Road, Construction of Iworo-Ajido Road among others. He urged people to be peaceful as the government is ready to yield to their plight, adding that the construction of the approved standard jetty will commence soonest and will be commissioned in the next six months.
He further said that the outbreak of Covid-19 has been of adverse effect to the state, causing a reduction in the pursuance of 2020 budgeted activities, among which is the commissioning of the MCC building at the Badagry General Hospital. He therefore pointed out the quick response of the House of Assembly towards salvaging the occurrence and providing a better life for Lagosians.
“The economic headwind generated by the Covid-19 pandemic also necessitated the approval of the House for the reordering of the Y2020 Budget to provide necessary support for business owners, the vulnerable members of the society and improvement in health care facilities. The house also approved the sum of 20 billion Covid-19 Intervention Fund aimed at containing and managing the spread of the virus in the State as well as mitigate its effects on Lagosians.
“While the Government is taking steps to bring life back to normal, we urge every citizen to obey all regulations guiding the containment of Covid-19 in the State in order to free our society of the pandemic which is limiting opportunities in many areas.” He said.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-olu ably represented by the Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu commended the youths for the peaceful protest held in expression of their grievances on the bad state of Badagry Expressway, pointing out that the Lagos State Government has not been relenting to ensure the expressway is constructed and other dividends of democracy are enjoyed. He further stated that a team of officials will be going to Abuja soonest in pursuance of the construction of the expressway.
Bonu noted that citizens should always voice out the pains or challenges they are experiencing as doing so will call on the attention of the government thereby spurring it to action. He appreciated the leadership of the House of Assembly for putting up such meeting, noting that it is necessary for engaging the citizens.
“I want to thank the leadership of Lagos State House of Assembly for putting up this meeting at this crucial time. It is high time we started to engage our people most especially the youth and to allow them know what the government is doing and the plans we have for them. We want to implore all the youths protesting to be calm and wait for the government to come up with developmental projects for them.”
The Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Mr. Olusegun Onilude, in his welcome address noted that the outbreak of Covid-19 in March has affected every sphere of life in the year putting all things on hold, ranging from private to government activities, especially the health sector.
Onilude further commended the effort of the organizers of the protest in Badagry noting that their effort made it not to lead into violence and destruction to lives and properties.
Responding, High Chief Agoloto of Badagry called on all political office holders to channel their efforts and budgets towards ensuring the growth and development of Badagry, noting that Badagry as a whole has been neglected over the years and this is telling on it.
Corroborating the High Chief, the Supervisor for Health, Badagry Local Government Area, Mrs. Layode Bamidele calls on the state government to attend to the renovation of Marina Healthcare Centre stating that it is the ancient health care in Badagry which took the birth of many people present at the event and it calls for attention to be upgraded to serve the people better. She further pointed out that something should be done to curtail the excess of the Police Officers on Lagos-Badagry Expressway in particular.
In the same vein, Comr. Sewanu Michael called on the attention of the government regarding the utilization of the 13% oil derivation fund being paid to Lagos State government for the development of Badagry region. He further noted that government should increase the number of contractors on the construction of Badagry expressway noting the great danger the road pose to users.
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