In Nigeria, Lagos state is – unarguably - in a class by itself.

Thanks to its huge IGR, no other state in Nigeria can boast of equal magnitude of construction and the upgrade of public transport infrastructures as Lagos state.

Undoubtedly, transportation is one of the biggest challenges that beset Lagos state.

So, to meet up with the challenges of an exploding population, successive governments in Lagos state is always onto some transport-related project such as the construction of roads, pedestrian bridges, flyover bridges, metro line infrastructure, bus stops and terminals, public transport project, BRT corridors, etc.

Since the return of democracy in 1999, projects to improve the quality of mass transit and transportation principally account for some of the laudable accomplishments of successive governments in Lagos state.

However, one aspect that appears to undermine the efforts of successive governors in Lagos state is the vague nature of the cost of these projects.

Indeed, the cost of executing public projects in Lagos state – especially in the transport sector – is shrouded in cult-like secrecy.

While Lagosians applaud some of the numerous achievements of the governors of Lagos state – past and present -, it would be fair for the taxpayers to have a knowledge of how much of their monies are used to undertake some of these projects.

It is for this reason that the domestication of the FOI law in Lagos state, by anyone aspiring to become the governor of the state, has become imperative.

In 2011, the Goodluck Jonathan-led government signed the FOI into law.

The Freedom of Information(FOI) laws allows access by the general public to data held by governments.

The emergence of freedom of information legislation was a response to increasing dissatisfaction with the secrecy surrounding government policy development and decision-making.

Since the law was signed into law by the Federal government in 2011, the Lagos state government is yet to domesticate that law.


It would be uncharitable for anyone not to admit that successive governors in Lagos state have done well. However, it would also be unfair for the taxpayers in Lagos state not to have an idea of how much it now costs the state government to build pedestrian bridges, bus stops, slip roads, metro-line, waterways, and BRT infrastructures, etc.

While we must not fail to admit that Lagos state has produced performers as governors, however, it is important that we up the ante by electing governors who are both performers and are transparent in their fiscal expenditures.

As the elections day approaches, one pertinent question that we need to ask our preferred candidate for the governorship of Lagos state is this:

Would you be willing to domesticate and abide by the Freedom of Information Law in Lagos state?




Source:

https://autojosh.com/domestication-of-the-foi-law-in-lagos-will-the-next-governor-of-lagos-state-do-the-needful/

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