Lagosians May No Longer Need To Travel To Alausa For Government Services — Hamzat
Lagosians May No Longer Need To Travel To Alausa For Government Services — Hamzat
Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, has unveiled plans to decentralise governance across the state’s five divisions, promising to bring essential government services closer to residents.
Hamzat said that if elected governor in 2027, his administration would establish mini secretariats in divisions including Ikorodu, Badagry and Epe, allowing residents to access most government services within their communities instead of travelling to Alausa, the state capital.
Speaking during the APC campaign visit to Ikorodu and on IKD106.1 FM’s programme, KOH Unscripted in Ikorodu, Hamzat said about 80 per cent of services needed by residents could be handled within their respective divisions, while only complex matters would be referred to Alausa.
“We must decentralise Lagos. Alausa should not be the only place where people can access government services,” Hamzat said.
The proposal could particularly benefit residents of communities located far from Ikeja by reducing transportation costs, travel time and the stress associated with accessing government offices.
Hamzat also promised to develop the economic potentials of Lagos’ five divisions — Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe, collectively known as IBILE.
For Ikorodu, he identified agriculture, food processing and transportation as key areas with the potential to create more economic opportunities, while promising infrastructure development around emerging institutions and economic activities.
On transportation, Hamzat proposed a more integrated system linking buses, rail and waterways, saying Lagos must make better use of its extensive water resources to ease movement across the state.
He also disclosed that 77 electric buses, comprising 30-seater and 40-seater models, were being introduced into the Lagos public transportation system.
The proposed divisional development plan is expected to focus on the different economic and social needs of each division, while bringing government closer to the people and potentially opening up more opportunities in agriculture, transportation, healthcare and other sectors.
