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The nature of the work I do, and the manner in which I choose to serve my clients is such that I often find myself gifted with the unique privilege of being
able to drive around otherwise BUSY roads of Lagos city at times of the day (5.30am or 12 midight for instance) that allow me to look around and SEE things.
Over the past six months, I have noticed quite significant progressive CHANGES in the ENVIRONMENT that have caused me to stop and ask myself: Is this the
same city or am I somewhere else? Here are a few examples from my areas of observation(Ikeja, Ogudu, Gbagada):
1. CLEANING: Every morning, as early as 6.30 a.m I see his road managers sweeping many major roads and packing away mounds of dirt, which (unlike what
happened in the past) are NEVER left behind or allowed to "return". The result: Cleaner roads. Also, the automated waste disposal vehicles continue to be ever so diligent in picking up waste from designated points. People are beginning to respond by dropping their wastes at those points. Drains have been
cleared in many areas - we have seen less floods in this very rainy season than in the past as a result.
2. SAFETY: Pedestrian bridges with roof/side coverings and security lighting PLUS security guards are being constructed on major roads long in need of it.
Result: More people now readily use these bridges; less people get attacked while using the bridges at night (unlike what happened with the old types); less
accidents occur from people crossing the roads. I do not have the statistics, but the one at Gbagada Estate's Charley boy's bus stop is DEFINITELY saving lives, because from living there over a 7 year period I KNOW people died weekly from being hit by cars while running across the highway!
3. SECURITY: On a number of occasions, I have heard radio announcements in which TOLL FREE mobile and other numbers were read out for the general public to
call in case of security emergencies. For instance dialing 767 from any phone anywhere in Lagos, with or without credit on your phone will get you directly
in touch with the Police's Rapid Response Squad(RRS). Now isn't that functional use of technology in a manner that WILL work in a developing society? I say
YES!
4. COMMUNICATION/PUBLIC ENLIGHTENEMENT: I have heard radio announcements in which names, phone numbers, and even email addresses of key public officers in
the Lagos state government and other arms have been given out to the public. This is to enable US reach these individuals with our messages and requests
concerning issues we wish to have them attend to. Again, intelligent attempts to make public servants/officers accountable to the people. The onus is on US to take up these opportunities and HELP theses guys help us, BECAUSE it is obvious they are willing to listen and take action.
5. TRANSPORTATION: The BRT transportation scheme is a landmark success story. Even the most vocal critics acknowledge it has made a huge impact on easing the
perennial transportation problem faced by Lagos residents.
Most impressive for me has been the VERY intelligent manner in which TEAM WORKING has been used by the various Lagos state traffic management organisations
to keep the Lagos traffic moving reasonably well in spite of the dedicated BRT lanes which SHOULD HAVE made traffic worse (and did initially). They have continued the same way since the commencement of work on the 3rd Mainland bridge.
The management of the BRT system refuses to let it "suffer" any setbacks arising from the 3rd Mainland bridge closure, and it is to their credit that we can
all see that it is STILL running smoothly.
6. COLLABORATION: Governor Fashola recently announced setting up of a security trust fund to be contributed to by all willing bodies. The fuund is aimed at
financing the acquisition of CCTV cameras, helicopters and other surveillance security equipment to be used by the police to carryout 24 hour surveillance
across the city both on land and in the air - including apprehending criminals.
Let's face it, virtually every corporate organisation in this country, and especially in Lagos (and Port Harcourt of course) is likely to jump at the
opportunity to put money into a fund to be used by a government they KNOW will not divert it to other purposes - especially since their own employees will benefit directly. So this is something that is VERY likely to work, and I believe soon, Lagos will be a much safer place to be in.
7. POWER SUPPLY/PUBLIC LIGTHING: Driving along Mobolaji Bank Anthony way at 11.00pm last night, and the skyline was beautiful to behold! I could not remember
the last time I had been on a Lagos road that had ALL the lights functional and ON at night in that manner. This gradual repair or replacement of
streetlights has been going on in phases, and continues.
But that's not all: It's the effort made to maintain and SUSTAIN the changes made that tells you this is not just another typical spending spree. For
instance at Alausa, the recreational garden across from the house of assembly was recently furnished all round with wind turbine powered lamps (which are
also fitted with solar panels), that come on once it is dark.
Think about it: what better way to ensure people can use the garden up till later hours of the night in a developing society with unreliable power supply
than to harness ALTERNATIVE, NATURAL power sources?
Even if these devices are expensive, their long-term benefits will more than cover for the investment in them. Of course, we could also explore local
adaptations of these appliances that would be cheaper/easier to acquire, deploy and maintain. After all, we lay claim to graduating engineers annually from
so many universities and technical schools...this might be a useful task to hand to them!
8. INTELLIGENT ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS: Signs, posters, banners etc. Tax enforcement. I know of one hotel owner who had Fashola's tax collection task force
people make him write out a cheque for about N3 million naira to cover his outstanding tax obligation for the past year - AFTER his many attempts to get them
to look the other way.
The government has made it possible for people to self-assess and make direct personal tax payments to ease the process. Same for vehicle registration. Use
of signs, posters, banners and the likes now requires approval - a signage and advertisement agency handles that - for a fee. If you can't deal with the NEW
requirement, then you take down your sign or have THAT done for you!
The result: More tax income has flowed in for this focussed government to finance its many other projects, which we now are beneficiaries of. Isn't that the
logical thing that should happen? Who wouldn't like to pay tax, when he knows the road repairs will eventually cover his area? Other results: Control of
signs and banner uses is leading to a "neater" skyline in the city, compared to what we had in the past.
9. TRANSPARENT LEADERSHIP: I have listened to and met/spoken with many different individuals who work in various arms of the Lagos state government,
including the house of assembly, and happen to believe VERY strongly that Fashola's government has VERY DELIBERATELY recruited some of the most brilliants
minds/competent hands available.
Evidence of this is readily seen in the quality of THINKING and consequent actions being taken in so many areas. Other governments need to do the same. It
also shows in the way projects are started and concluded to specification and deadline. Most of these guys are professionals and want to do a good job. They
believe in making a difference - they have integrity.
SUMMARY
One day in March, a presenter on the radio station 93.75 FM owned by Silverbird entertainment, commented on the spate of SUSTAINED positive changes occurring
across the city's landscape and - among other things - said "somebody needs to give Uncle Fash a thumbs up. I think he's doing a great job". So, it would
appear, I am not the only one who has been seeing the work of Governor Fashola and his team!
Having said all that, let me make it clear that this is NOT a PR piece on the governor, and I am certainly not one to look for ways to sweet-talk myself into
the good books of people in power (my antecedents bear me witness. Search my website articles directory long enough and you will find ample evidence of
this).
However, I am someone who believes that if everyone does what is RIGHT and PROPER, if everyone more than FILLS his/her place in society by doing all that is
required DILIGENTLY and in a manner that benefits everyone, society WILL EVOLVE and PROSPER.
We all need to borrow "more than one leaf" from this wonderful example of a Public Service Officer called Governor Babatunde Fashola, and begin to THINK and
ACT to SERVE those we lead, the way he so admirably has been doing since assuming office.
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