Lagos State government has resolved to explore all avenues to reintroduce the issue of the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the ongoing constitutional review process, with a view to legalising the development areas.
A communiqué issued at the end of the 18th edition of the Executive/Legislative parley, yesterday, organised by the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, with the theme, “Engaging All for an Inclusive Governance: Hands On for a Greater Lagos Rising,” stressed the need for collaboration between the Executive, National Assembly members representing the state and members of the state legislature in advocating for a “special status” for Lagos State in the ongoing constitutional review process.
The participants at the two-day parley held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, agreed to enhance the existing harmonious relationship between all arms of government through recognition and mutual respect for their constitutional roles.
The state government, in the communiqué signed by Special Adviser, Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Dr Afolabi Tajudeen, also stressed the need to create awareness and educate the citizenry on the importance and roles of each arm of government.
Meanwhile, the participants urged suspension of some taxes, levies, charges, and rates for a few months, as well as introduction of rebates where necessary for the most vulnerable to alleviate the pains of the current economic challenges.
A proposal was also made that there should be regular meetings of the governor, members of the National Assembly representing Lagos State and members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to foster robust relationships.
Other recommendations highlighted in the communique include reactivating the school feeding programme for primary schools in the state, the state government and other stakeholders working in harmonious relationship by meeting with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through Senatorial Districts’ Town Hall meetings for empowerment and enhancement of the Public Works Corporation (PWC) to adequately address the issue of bad/inner roads to reduce gridlocks.
They, therefore, urged the state government to expedite action on the proposed establishment of a Lagos Airline to enhance the economic prosperity of Lagos.
The participants, who urged the state government to put in place methods that would help to track out-of-school students before their initiation into social vices for reintegration, implored the state government to develop a more permanent solution to boost food security in the state and encourage urban farming in individual homes of Lagosians.
