Lagos residents have rated governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state poorly on road infrastructure, as 60 percent said a lot needs to be done in the next six months to reduce the gridlock occasioned by defective roads.
According to the NOIPolls released yesterday, which marked the first 152 days of Ambode in office,the residents rated “Ambode ‘poorly’ in terms of ‘road infrastructure’ (60 percent), ‘economic situation’ (58 percent), ‘traffic management’ (54 percent), ‘education’ (42 percent) and the ‘security of lives and properties’ (41 percent).
Asides that, a major fraction (36 percent) of Lagos state residents lamented over the ‘worsening traffic gridlock’ in the city as one of the main issues that directly affects them as residents. Hence, a larger ratio (36 percent) of those residing in the city want the governor to focus his attention on ‘improving road networks’ (36 percent) within the next six months, amongst other areas”
The NOIPolls, conducted onbehalf of BusinessDay Media, was to gauge the opinion and perception of Lagos state residents on the performance of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, as well their expectations from his administration in the next six months.
Findings further revealed that a large proportion (38 percent) of Lagos residents have remained neutral about the performance of the governor, as they are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with his performance so far.
On the other hand, 36 percent of the respondents have expressed their satisfaction with his performance, while 26 percent uttered their dissatisfaction with the performance of the governor so far.
While a larger proportion of Lagos state residents are indifferent about the performance of the governor, some analysts said last night that addressing the critical issues suggested by residents would greatly determine further perception of the residents on the governor’s performance.
The survey was of the opinion that more people who were indifferent at the time the survey was conducted are more likely to clearly develop either a positive or negative perception on the performance of the governor as time progresses and developments occur.
Ambode had expressed his desire to run a transparent and an all-inclusive government at his inaugural speech and that his style of governance would be different from what was observed in the past.
According to the report, “It is clear that former governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has set a standard through his accomplishments in the state; therefore, the minimum expected from Ambode is to meet those standards if not improve them.
In measuring government’s performance, the public always consider the role of service ministries as very vital. Ambode has just inaugurated his 37 person cabinet to man such ministries and bear the responsibility of developing plans and strategies to make Lagos state internationally competitive and conducive for its dwellers and viable for legitimate businesses.”
Continuing, the report said, “ Therefore, the residents are expecting a clear strategic imperative to meet the socio-economic challenges associated with a mega metropolis from him, so as to endure all the turbulence of a 21st century metropolitan city, ranging from alarming bank robbery incidents, recent collapse of residential buildings, traffic holdups, petrol tanker fire explosions, increase of robbery instances in traffic congestion, as well as reports of the creeping return of area boys and other sundry hoodlums.”
Because of its major sea ports, host to numerous industries and financial institutions, Lagos state is currently the economic stronghold of Nigeria. The population of Lagos state is about 21.9 million with a growth rate of 3.2 percent, therefore the population of the state has been recorded to be growing at a massive 600,000 persons per year, with a population density of 4,913 persons per square kilometer. Nonetheless, Lagos is experiencing rapid urbanisation and needs urgent attention.”
John Omachonu
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