Lagos,
since the colonial days has never ceased to be enthralling. The bustling coastal enclave has had many
attractions none of which are less intriguing whether criminal or
otherwise. In most cases, the
repercussions have not been less than severe or palatable. But one fact remains sacrosanct: every decade,
new generations of Lagosians take over the streets, and build on consecutive
developments.
Today,
the man called ‘’Ambo’’ is on the saddle and what more can Lagosians
expect? His predecessor Barrister
Babatunde Fashola made good his promise and changed the face – not the entire
one – of lagos. You will notice these
changes most especially in lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Surulere, Ikeja, Igando,
Iba, Dopemu and Iyana Ipaja.
Infrastructural
changes are never easy. From the dirty city Lagos was, Babatunde Fashola took
the bulls by the horns and changed the landscape; Lagos arguably was given a
face-lift and now the man popularly known and called ‘’AMBO’ is on the verge of repeating history
if not improve on it!
Abuja Morning Star just returned from a one week survey trip
to Lagos to find out how best the new governor can impact on the state. Although Mr Ambode has hit the ground running
visiting popular trouble spots, traffic gridlocks, holding meetings with
various feuding parties; these are all understandable. But for us in Abuja Morning Star we are here
to provide him with a compass map as guide.
And in order to make an impactful change, Ambo has to look at areas that
may not make significant meaning to observers.
One
of such places is the busy bus parks.
Ambo must move in and give lagos bus parks a decent look. His administration should move in, build
decent shelters there, cement the floors and create ticketing points. That will enable him build on the legacy of
the past—as well as skip cosmetic changes. Bus Parks have been overlooked by
subsequent administrators, but strategic to human health and safety. That’s
also the place where lagosians congregate the most.
Secondly,
simple as it is Ambo has to concentrate on constructing decent drainages all
over lagos especially in Agege, Abule – Egba, Ijaiye Ogba, Alapere, etc. Decent drainages give out a clean
environment.
Thirdly,
lagos is still too dirty. Ambo should
increase the number of participants in Environmental cleanup. Stiff penalties
should be instituted against offenders.
This is very important. It is a
corollary to healthy living.
Fourthly,
Ambo should create barriers around all intercession points where Rail tracks
meets. The ones at Oyingbo, Agege , Yaba apart from being too
open are also dangerous for comfort. Above
all, the tracks are too filthy. Ambo
will be creating a new record should his Adminstration give these places multiple
attention.
Fifthly,
for now, Ambo should concentrate his attention on getting Lagos in the comity
of Rail users. The perennial traffic
congestions can only be broken with overhead Rail tracks. Even if this will be his major achievement
for this first four years, it is significant. How would Lagosians feel if they
can access Rail Transport from Mowoe to Lekki, from Ikeja to Sango Otta; from
Ogba to C M S , from C M S to Seme in Badary?Wont the next generations of
lagosians be on a high note?
Finally,
another crucial area is Sea Transportation. The city just lost some bright
children when they were crushed in their dingy boat by another fast moving
rudderless one. These are avoidable incidences. If improved, Sea Transportation
remains a potential revenue source. Again should there be more sea
transportation from mile 2 to C M S to Badagry, it is normal that traffic
congestion will ebb.
For
us in Abuja Morning Star, this is the way forward for ‘’Ambo ‘’ the gentle man.
By Charles Afe-Ikhaghe
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