By: Manoah Kikekon
Badagry, Lagos State – A concerned Badagry citizen has raised alarms over the lack of developmental projects in Badagry Local Government since the current administration began in 2023, attributing the stagnation to a failure to lobby and a refusal of elected office holders to unite for the community's progress.
A source close to the office of the Lagos State Governor revealed that Badagry's office holders lack the will to lobby effectively at the Federal, State, and Local Council levels. "The people need to understand that legislators, both at the federal and state levels, don't have direct access to projects; they can only lobby. But the question is, how much are Badagry's representatives actually lobbying for projects?" the source stated.
This conversation follows Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's recent visit to commission road projects in Badagry. The source noted that the commissioned projects were awarded in previous administrations. "Since the commencement of this administration, there have been no new projects in Badagry Local Government except the Ilogbo-Okoafo road and the Pipelaye Mosque road at Vetho-Ajara."
During the governor's visit, all office holders present list of roads in Badagry that need construction. "It's very unfortunate that they all lack the will to push further relentlessly and continue remind the governor until the roads are awarded," the source added.
Another source said that Hon. Sesi Whingan, the Federal House of Representatives Member, mention of the Mowo-Ikoga Road a federal road during the governor's visit. "He forgets that the state government has limited resources; there's little the state can do about that road, which leads to his community. Gone are the days when state governments took responsibility for Federal Roads hoping for reimbursement. That doesn't work anymore. Look at the Ogun State part of that same road; it's the federal government that awarded it, not the Ogun State government, and construction will commence soon."
"It is a shame that Hon. Sesi has been in office for the past three years and couldn't lobby for one federal road to be constructed in Badagry. Even the one he claimed to have secured, the Owode-Apa road, has been abandoned by the contractor since the Federal government approved 6 Billion Naira for it. Notably, that contract is said to have been given to the same construction company that abandoned the road when 4 Billion Naira was awarded during Hon. Bangbose Joseph tenure."
"If Hon. Sesi truly wants the Mowo-Ikoga road done with the state government's help, he needs to meet with the Federal Ministry of Works, get a clear agreement on how the state government can carry out the project, and then bring it to the state government for support. He must ensure an agreement is reached between the federal and state governments; otherwise, the state government will not touch that road."
"There are other first-timer in the Federal House of Representatives. Who you cannot compare their achievements. Sesi is part of several committees what is the impact on Badagry? How many youths has he facilitated to be part of those agencies?"
Eng. Setonji David, the House of Assembly Member representing Badagry Constituency 2, has not facilitated any substantial projects during this administration. "All he has been doing is hiding behind Lagos State Public Works palliative projects in Badagry and claiming glory. That's why pothole repairs have always been done on the instructions of Lagos Public Works and not Setonji's. That's why some areas in places like Iragon and Javie have to pay for fuel before their roads can be graded. The facts are there; anyone can go and verify."
Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, is seen engaging youths across the state, which is commendable. "We know he is not meant to execute projects, but how much have Badagry West LCDA youths felt his presence? Look at how much that part of Badagry Local Government needs youth support through skill acquisition programs.
"For years, not one person has felt the impact of Hon. Ibrahim Layode, even when he was a House of Assembly Member. Now that he's the Commissioner for Home Affairs, people don't even bother to talk about him anymore, as he seems to have no business with Badagry’s development." the source said.
Hon. Bonu Solomon, the House of Assembly Member for Badagry Constituency 1, was known in the State House as 'Baba Badagry' while he was the SSA to the Governor because he would always talk about Badagry at every executive meeting. "We can say he has been consistently communicating with the governor about Badagry, owing to the close relationship developed while he was the SSA to the governor on tourism. However, he is also suffering from the same ailment as his colleagues right now because he has said too much more than he has achieved. As chairman of the committee on tourism, we expected more from him than just bringing the governor here. We expected him to change the face of Badagry tourism with his office. Moreover, the problem with that sector in Badagry is that the stakeholders are also not ready to come together for the interest of Badagry; everyone is struggling for recognition and money."
"Our people who are part of the governor’s cabinet and meet with him at least twice a week—what are they pushing for Badagry? You will realize that some Badagry indigenes not holding political office are pushing for Badagry’s development more than the office holders. I have always said it: the pictures of the activities of our office holders are more numerous than their actual achievements."
Speaking about the Badagry Local Government, there is hope that the new administration will do better. "Local Governments can collaborate with the Lagos State Public Works to carry out some road projects, but we've never utilized this opportunity.
We've seen Local Governments where drainage was constructed by the council, and Lagos State Public Works tarred the road as a result of an agreement between them. A good example is Ojodu—they did the drainage, and the state public works tarred the road for them."
"It's just unfortunate that Badagry leaders are not ready to come together for the interest of Badagry's development. Everyone wants to take the glory. But when it comes to elections, you'll see all of them together, laughing and taking pictures. Immediately after elections, they turn into enemies."