Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has pledged to decentralise government services and strengthen the economic potential of the state's five divisions.
Hamzat said residents should not have to travel to Alausa to access services that could be provided within their respective divisions, proposing mini-secretariats in Ikorodu, Badagry and Epe.
He made the remarks on Thursday during an interview on IKD 106.1 FM, titled “KOH Unscripted in Ikorodu,” where he outlined plans to make governance more accessible while promoting development based on the comparative advantages of Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe.
According to him, up to 80 per cent of government services required by residents could be handled within their divisions, while matters requiring higher-level attention would be referred to the state secretariat in Alausa.
Hamzat identified agriculture, food processing and transportation as key areas of economic potential in Ikorodu, while calling for deliberate investment in infrastructure and institutions that would support economic activities across the state.
He also proposed an integrated transport system linking buses, rail and waterways, saying Lagos must maximise its water resources to improve connectivity between the hinterlands and major economic centres.
The deputy governor disclosed that 77 electric buses, including 30- and 40-seater models, were being introduced into the state’s transport system. He said the adoption of electric vehicles could reduce operating costs and potentially contribute to more affordable transportation for commuters.
On healthcare, Hamzat said the expansion of the state’s population required corresponding investment in medical infrastructure, including the expansion of Ikorodu General Hospital and other major hospitals. He added that such expansion should include accommodation for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers.
He also highlighted the need to improve water supply, noting that the completion of the Adiyan water project and associated pipeline infrastructure would increase the state’s water supply capacity and extend access to more residents.
Hamzat further called for greater citizen participation in the development of Lagos, stressing that government alone could not build every institution or address all development challenges.