8th October, 2013
By Rasak Musbau
In the not-too-distant past, the city of Lagos was not synonymous with orderliness, cleanliness or any such features synonymous with modern mega cities as people infringe on law and order with impunity. Many of the infringements of the law committed by people in Lagos are those to do with public conduct and behaviour, especially with the carefree attitude that Lagos is a no man’s land. The popular cliché that underscores this situation is: “Eko gb’ole, o gb’ole” (Lagos welcomes all sorts of people).
Whereas the Lagos of old earned the sobriquet “Eko for Show” in appreciation of the glamour, beauty, urbanity, style, poise, fashion that were the hallmarks of Lagos. However, in the not too distant past, the situation degenerated as the population of Lagos increased geometrically while infrastructure and capacity to enforce law and order diminished considerably. This was the image of Lagos a number of people had and lived with, until the Fashola administration came on board with a determination and demonstration of capacity to transform the state. So it wasn’t for fun that BRF came with the now popular “Eko o ni baje’ mantra.
Social engineering resembles physical engineering. It is done with ingenuity. BRF has deliberately undertaken a great social and economic experiment, noble in motive and far-reaching in purpose. Making use of social intercourse with the Lagos masses rich in eloquent and articulation at every 100 days to carry everybody along, a lot has changed in the last 2,300 days in the state. Lagos has changed from a city that was once notorious for practice of open defecation, heaps of refuse, lack of security, poor sanitation, menace of hoodlums, dead bodies on the high ways, road sides trading, high rate of crime and chaotic transport situation.
Alongside infrastructure development of the state, Fashola has carved a niche for insisting on adherence to law and order believing that everybody must submit himself/herself to the rule of law as a requirement for genuine development. The government’s choice of boldly going ahead to do the right things, irrespective of the price the people have to pay, as it is usual with progressive nations, has been instrumental in helping the government to ensure that it lives up to its appellation of ‘Centre of Excellence.’
All that the government is doing is telling people that all that’s not good is bad. And the best way of rebranding is to change all that is bad for good, the cynics have given countless reasons, nay excuses, under the sun to manipulate public opinion that Fashola is anti-people. But only one response counters this- all what government has done are with noble motive and far-reaching purposes yielding positive multiplier effects. The governor has never done anything that is contrary to the tenet of democracy or constitution.
Now let us consider some of the government’s decisions that some people see as anti-people. To start with, demolition of illegal structures and enforcing the law against illegal trading at unauthorised places is an environmental as well as social issue. For one, illegal structures aid flooding, distort physical planning and in some instances contribute to traffic jam among other negative effects. It amounts to mortgaging the common wealth of the majority for the interest of a few lawless, if the demolished structures is allowed to stay. Logic also dictates that you don’t wait for ‘tsunami’ before taking a reactive decision. No responsible government will likewise be apologetic for insisting that trade should be conducted at authorised places. A good leader is one that is decisive and resolute because a decision delayed may be an opportunity lost.
Another of subject for scrutiny is imposition of fine on people for infractions. Just before talking on the processes involved in law making and a specific law people are making fuss about let’s ponder on this. A lot of people were killed in the past in the process of crossing the highways. To stem this tide, government provided foot bridges and makes it an offence for people to cross the expressway. But right under the foot bridges some still make use of the bridges -pregnant, elderly folk and the physically challenged. Some only use the bridges when law enforcement agents are around. Which is a more reasonable, picking dead body on the roads or imposition of fines to deter people?
Tax issue and the new traffic law are some of the government’s programmes that have been over flogged in the corridor of public opinion. On tax issue, it is noteworthy to affirm that most successful democracies of the world, where governments are accountable to the people, do not joke with the payment of taxes by the citizens.
On the question of the traffic law, it is clear that the incessant chaotic traffic situation in the state needed to be tackled head-long.
While many people have taken on the government in respect of the traffic law and other such policies of the state government, what is, however, missing is a well-articulated viewpoint from the critics proffering scientific and practicable alternatives. Far from promising a better deal, they usually resort to misinformation, disinformation and propaganda to deceive the people for political gains. To some, it is harsh for the state government to insist that all houses must have functional toilet facilities. But in case of outbreak of cholera in areas where septic are channelled directly into the drain, the reaction would be to condemn government for not doing anything to improve the lot of the people.
Similarly, when the governor gave teeth to the child’s right law and introduced ‘yellow card’ for erring parents to ensure that all children of school age go to school rather than being on the street to trade away their future, to some people, he is merely denying poor people means of earning a living.
It is quite understandable that man will always stand in opposition to change, but change remains the only constant thing in life and is an indication of progress. Rather than vilify Fashola and his administration over reforms which are meant to better the lot of Lagosians, one would rather canvass that those who have genuine contributions to make to governance in the state should avail themselves of the novel opportunity provided through the various e-mail addresses and phone numbers of members of the BRF cabinet which are now public property. Criticisms should be made with the intent of offering useful suggestions that will benefit all.
•Musbau is of the Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy.