The Challenges and Hopes of Grassroots Residents in Lagos
The lives of many residents in the grassroots communities of Lagos State are marked by poverty, struggle, and a sense of hopelessness. Despite these challenges, there is a prevailing hope that the newly inaugurated local council administrations will bring about positive change and improve their quality of life.
Last Sunday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State inaugurated 57 newly elected council chairmen to lead the affairs of the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) for the next four years. The ceremony took place at Lagos House in Ikeja, where the governor urged the new leaders to prioritize the welfare of the residents while warning them against underperformance.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that with direct access to council funds comes direct accountability. He stressed that leadership should not be about personal gain but public impact, urging the chairmen to reflect public responsibility rather than political entitlement during their tenure.
Local governments, as one of the three tiers of government, are supposed to be the closest to the people, providing essential services, basic amenities, and fostering inclusion and participatory democracy. However, despite substantial monthly allocations from the Federal Government and internal revenue generated through taxes and fees, infrastructural development, healthcare, and other social amenities at the grassroots remain inadequate or non-existent.
This situation raises questions about the relevance and effectiveness of local government administrations in improving the lives of residents. Challenges such as corruption, mismanagement of public funds, lack of accountability, and inadequate manpower continue to hinder progress.
Residents have expressed concerns that these issues perpetuate poverty, encourage crime, and impede good governance. As the new council chairmen begin their four-year tenure, many have voiced their expectations and fears regarding what they want from these leaders.
Some residents urge the chairmen to avoid corruption, wastefulness, and a sense of entitlement. Others call for investments in road networks, agriculture, employment creation, and education. For example, Ademola Adetunji, a resident of FESTAC in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, highlighted the deteriorating infrastructure in his area, arguing that successive administrations have failed to maintain roads and drainage systems effectively.
Another resident, Olayemi Omojola of Ebute Meta, criticized council chairmen for spending resources on wasteful expeditions abroad instead of focusing on meaningful projects. He emphasized the need for sustainable empowerment and investment in housing schemes and agriculture to address the food crisis in the state.
Adams Makinde, a resident of Agbado Oke Odo Local Council Development Area, described the neglect suffered by his community since its creation. He believes that successive administrations have focused more on revenue collection than on delivering tangible benefits to residents. He hopes that the new administration will bring basic amenities and renovate existing infrastructure.
Grace Ukoh, a trader, wants to see improvements in how revenue collection departments operate. She believes that current practices are too crude and corrupt, and she calls for a more humane and effective approach to revenue collection. She also mentioned that some investors have moved to friendlier states due to the conduct of local government officials.
Godwin Ayebo argues that it’s time to hold local government officials accountable for their performance. He emphasizes that with increased financial autonomy and revenues, Nigerians should no longer tolerate excuses for non-performance from local government officials.
In a positive development, Prince Lanre Sanusi, the newly sworn-in chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, has pledged to fix all the bad roads within 90 days. He promised inclusive and transparent governance, describing his election as a new beginning for progress and infrastructure development in the council.
Sanusi also committed to collaborating with state and federal authorities, private sector partners, NGOs, and the diaspora to invest in the local government. He emphasized transparency, accountability, and active engagement with residents to ensure that every voice is heard.
While these assurances may offer hope, many residents remain skeptical, questioning whether promises will translate into real action. They await concrete results from the new administration, hoping that this time, the promises will be fulfilled.
