THE LAGOS OF MY DREAM
Many years ago, far back in the late 90’s, in Surulere area
of Lagos state, where I grew up alongside my peers, I saw some element of
thuggery, which was even the order of the day in most public schools, where
students ganged up to beat not only fellow students, but also, teachers.
This was highly
worrisome, of which at various bus-stops, these miscreants were found under the
guise that they were staff of the National Union of Road Transport Workers
(NURTW) operating in the state. Little did I know that this was going to
escalate into a renowned group called “Area Boys.”
Today, they are found every-where extorting money from
commercial motorists, at different times of the day .The question is to whom is
the money remitted? These boys are now among the stake-holders in the state,
dictating who occupies the number 1 position in the state. I never dreamt of
this!
Prior to 2007 general election which brought about the demise
of a notable personality in Lagos politics, Engineer Funsho Williams, Lagosians
had expected a change from this money collection at various bus-stops.
Undoubtedly, Fashola’s feat at the
poll was a relentless effort by these “boys” who are subject to BAT (Bola Ahemd
Tinubu). With the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), I had expected
these “boys” to be out of their jungle, but I was wrong.
Perhaps, if the late Funsho
Williams were to be alive to contest at the poll, he would have won and remove
these miscreants from our roads. (Not partisan!)
We never had a good road network
and the hinterlands are nothing to write home about. Yes! Fashola’s administration
worked relentlessly to building roads, in his first term in office, but in this
2nd term, it is being politicized. I never dreamt of this!
Some road projects executed by
some local government chairmen did not get to completion yet, they displayed
the completed parts on television screens as completed and commissioned. These
individuals don’t have integrity!
2015 general election is by the
corner and politicians in the state are now awake to their responsibility
simply because they want the people’s mandate. This is not the Lagos of my
dream.
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| My dream Lagos where all roads will be tarred |
I desire to see Lagos to be not
just the commercial hub for West, but for the entire world, where there will
not be untarred roads, street lights with CCTV cameras at every nook and cranny
of the city, education affordable for all, employment listing on the basis of merit
and competence, complete eradication of thugs and extortionists from our bus-stops,
housing affordable for all irrespective of ethnicity.
When will this dream come to
reality?
Tags: Lagos, Dream, Area boys.
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