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Tag: Obasa

  • CSOs, concerned Lagosians oppose move to scrap LCDAs

    CSOs, concerned Lagosians oppose move to scrap LCDAs

    The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), alongside a group of concerned Lagosians, has denounced a proposed bill by the Lagos State House of Assembly to replace the state’s 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) with Area Administrative Councils. Led by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, the bill proposes that the LCDAs, established in 2003 by then-Governor Bola Tinubu, be absorbed by Local Government Areas, a shift critics argue would stifle local governance and hinder grassroots development.

    Speaking at a press conference, Comrade Sina Loremikan, representing the Lagos State Civil Society Coalition, condemned the move, calling it a “disruption” to the established governance structure that has served communities across Lagos for two decades. He noted that the LCDAs were created to decentralise power and bring governance closer to the people, thereby boosting representation and ensuring tailored services to underserved areas.

    “LCDAs have enabled Lagos communities to access services and infrastructure suited to local needs, which often go overlooked by broader local government councils,” Loremikan said. He emphasised that the Supreme Court affirmed the LCDAs’ legitimacy in 2004, making their proposed abolition both a legal and political misstep. “This bill appears to prioritise centralisation over the welfare of Lagosians, who have benefited immensely from these councils.”

    The bill, if passed, would reportedly eliminate the structures that have driven local projects, provided employment, and bolstered Lagos’s economic development at a grassroots level. Loremikan warned that this step would reverse gains made in community-focused governance, diminish citizen participation, and strain essential services in underserved areas.

    CSOs and concerned citizens argue that dismantling the LCDAs undermines former Governor Bola Tinubu’s legacy, which focused on decentralised governance to address Lagos’s rapid growth. “The creation of LCDAs was a critical response to Lagos’s expanding needs, fostering economic and social development across every community,” said Loremikan. “This is a dangerous precedent, undermining local representation and the community empowerment that has characterised Tinubu’s legacy.”

    In a call to action, the coalition urged the Assembly to withdraw the bill, appealing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to stand by his predecessors’ legacies. They argued that the abolition would disrupt the socio-economic balance in Lagos, particularly for remote communities reliant on LCDAs for health services, education, and infrastructure.

    “We call on Governor Sanwo-Olu to reject this bill and reaffirm his commitment to decentralised governance,” Loremikan urged. He also appealed to Lagosians, traditional leaders, and civil society groups to rally in defence of LCDAs, which he called “the lifeblood of our communities.”

    Emphasising the coalition’s stance, Loremikan vowed continued resistance to what they see as an erosion of Lagos’s democratic principles, stating, “The fight for our LCDAs is a fight for the future of Lagos.”

  • Lagos Speaker presents official vehicles to senior legislative workers

    Lagos Speaker presents official vehicles to senior legislative workers

    The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has presented official vehicles to legislative staff in the directorate cadre.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Eromosele Ebhomele, in Lagos on Friday.

    According to the statement, the presentation of the cars to the staff was the second in a row ,coming a few weeks after some senior legislative workers were given official cars.

    Obasa said the presentation was part of efforts of the House leadership to bolster productivity and service delivery to the legislative arm and the state.

    The Speaker said the beneficiaries include directors and deputy directors across the various departments and units that make up the Assembly.

    He said the occasion marked an important landmark in the determination to ensure effectiveness, encourage productivity and hardwork and ensure a conducive work environment for legislative staff.

    The Speaker noted that the House of Assembly had become a yardstick for measuring legislative prowess and excellence ,ensured by the result-oriented focus of the staff and management.

    “As a result of this, it is just necessary to boost this efficiency and keep the Assembly up there as the perfect example of legislative effectiveness that it has become in our democratic Nigeria.

    “We cannot falter or step down from the successes we have achieved so far. The Lagos Assembly has created that pathway in this democracy for the smooth running of the society.

    “We want to continue to have a House of Assembly that does not only have a conducive environment, but with staff who are always eager to meet the needs of the people of Lagos through inputs in pro-people legislation for which the House is poised.

    “It is pleasing to say that the vehicles would help the beneficiaries meet official needs and tasks and enhance our collective goals of making Lagos better each day,” he said .

    Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Clerk of the House, Mr Olalekan Onafeko, commended the positive outlook and welfare-oriented posture of the leadership of the assembly, headed by Obasa.

    Onafeko, who doubles as Head of Service of the Assembly, said the vehicles would enhance productivity and encourage passion and commitment among staff.