As he drove through some parts of Lagos State a
couple of months back (obviously on his way out of town), the Governor of
Rivers State, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, despite orchestrated distractions by agents
of destabilisation, was awed by the sudden construction site that Lagos has
become. Amaechi, who drove himself, had gone through some back routes, in an
attempt to beat the traffic that the ongoing construction had brought about. He
then retorted, unconsciously though: “Fashola is really doing well…wow!”
couple of months back (obviously on his way out of town), the Governor of
Rivers State, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, despite orchestrated distractions by agents
of destabilisation, was awed by the sudden construction site that Lagos has
become. Amaechi, who drove himself, had gone through some back routes, in an
attempt to beat the traffic that the ongoing construction had brought about. He
then retorted, unconsciously though: “Fashola is really doing well…wow!”
By virtue of his training as an administrator,
Governor Babatunde Fashola’s idea of governance transcends brick and mortal.
For him, he would rather the building of institutions and the enhancement of
human capital development since as change agents, they will help sustain the
physical infrastructure that often appear the yard stick for assessing a
performing administration in a society where infrastructure deficit is
annoyingly on the high side.
Governor Babatunde Fashola’s idea of governance transcends brick and mortal.
For him, he would rather the building of institutions and the enhancement of
human capital development since as change agents, they will help sustain the
physical infrastructure that often appear the yard stick for assessing a
performing administration in a society where infrastructure deficit is
annoyingly on the high side.
Yet, this mindset has not stifled the governor
from elevating the aesthetics of the state through visible infrastructure
developments that are unmatched, both in the relative and absolute sense.
Today, across the state are different road works that are ongoing,
simultaneously and in spite of the challenge of the season (rain). Fashola is
not oblivious of the fact that he could not win the challenge of development on
all fronts. While those whose areas are being given attention through the
different works that are ongoing would reckon a performing administration,
some, of course are grumbling, alleging neglect, somewhat.
from elevating the aesthetics of the state through visible infrastructure
developments that are unmatched, both in the relative and absolute sense.
Today, across the state are different road works that are ongoing,
simultaneously and in spite of the challenge of the season (rain). Fashola is
not oblivious of the fact that he could not win the challenge of development on
all fronts. While those whose areas are being given attention through the
different works that are ongoing would reckon a performing administration,
some, of course are grumbling, alleging neglect, somewhat.
But Fashola is driven by a fixed notion: for as
long as the territorial size of the state is not going to increase, development
will certainly catch up with every part of the state. And since development is
hinged on priority, timing, resources and the logic of proper and scientific planning,
the government has a justification for the preferential and differential
development strategy as it varies from area-to-area. That it will go round is
no more a subject of debate.
long as the territorial size of the state is not going to increase, development
will certainly catch up with every part of the state. And since development is
hinged on priority, timing, resources and the logic of proper and scientific planning,
the government has a justification for the preferential and differential
development strategy as it varies from area-to-area. That it will go round is
no more a subject of debate.
Ponder this: As a resident of Lagos, if the roads
to your home and office are bad at the same time and government has a choice to
start with one, a rational government would help fix the one to your office
first because it not only helps your productivity, it helps the office and in
the end, government can have a reason for its taxes. This, however, does not
rule out the fact that government is coming back to the road leading to your
home. It’s a question of time. It sure will, if focused and determined.
to your home and office are bad at the same time and government has a choice to
start with one, a rational government would help fix the one to your office
first because it not only helps your productivity, it helps the office and in
the end, government can have a reason for its taxes. This, however, does not
rule out the fact that government is coming back to the road leading to your
home. It’s a question of time. It sure will, if focused and determined.
Therefore, the initially swirling impression that
Fashola had slowed down in his second term is obviously incorrect. It’s an
erroneous perception that the prevailing indices have disproved and dismissed
against the backdrop of thorough planning for effective delivery.
In all of this, however, government too must not be seen as taking the trust
and confidence of the people for granted. The contractual understanding of
votes in exchange for service delivery and improved living standard is
sacrosanct and must remain binding. Therefore, the fact that Lagos is still
working is evident even as Fashola and his visionary team are not
resting.
Fashola had slowed down in his second term is obviously incorrect. It’s an
erroneous perception that the prevailing indices have disproved and dismissed
against the backdrop of thorough planning for effective delivery.
In all of this, however, government too must not be seen as taking the trust
and confidence of the people for granted. The contractual understanding of
votes in exchange for service delivery and improved living standard is
sacrosanct and must remain binding. Therefore, the fact that Lagos is still
working is evident even as Fashola and his visionary team are not
resting.
Courtesy: Thisday
