Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has pledged to decentralise government services and strengthen the economic potential of the state’s five divisions.
Hamzat made the promise during an interview with a radio station in Ikorodu, where he said his administration would work towards creating a more interconnected Lagos by bringing governance and public services closer to residents.
He said residents should not have to travel to Alausa to access services that could conveniently be provided within their divisions.
“We must decentralise Lagos. Alausa should not be the only place where people can access government services. We should have mini-secretariats in Ikorodu, Badagry and Epe, so that perhaps 80 per cent of the services people need can be resolved within their divisions, while matters requiring further attention can be escalated to Alausa,” Hamzat said.
He added that each division should be developed according to its distinctive economic strengths, with government deliberately supporting opportunities in the various parts of the state.
Hamzat identified Ikorodu’s potential in agriculture, food processing and transportation, promising to provide infrastructure to support emerging institutions and economic activities across the divisions.
He also called for the reorganisation of local government administration, saying it should cover both physical and financial structures. According to him, effective systems would improve accountability, eliminate leakages and address problems such as ghost workers.
The APC candidate further advocated planning Lagos as a borderless metropolitan city, noting that residents of neighbouring states also depend heavily on the state’s infrastructure and public services.
Citing Orile Agege General Hospital as an example, Hamzat noted that a significant proportion of its patients come from outside Lagos. He said such realities should be considered when planning healthcare, transportation, water supply and other public infrastructure.
He assured stakeholders that his development agenda would remain inclusive, with the specific needs and economic opportunities of each division reflected in government planning.