Learn To Challenge Your Representatives, Lawmaker Tells Constituents

A Lagos lawmaker representing Lagos Mainland Constituency 2 at the State House of Assembly, Moshood Oshun, has advised his constituents to always challenge their representatives in government and offer advice and support where possible.

Oshun, who spoke at a Town Hall meeting and empowerment programme he organised for his constituents at the weekend, explained that only through such actions would elected officials know the problems of their constituents.

He said the Town Hall meeting was aimed at deepening democracy through effective communication with the constituents and enhancing the development of the area.

“The Town Hall meeting is an opportunity to explain government policies, laws and programmes as well as to elicit from the people their priority needs,” Oshun explained.

“We want our people to have an input in the government of the state, and the only way to do that is by coming back to them and liaising with them, talking to them, asking for suggestions, advice and letting them criticise what we are doing wrong, because for me as an individual, it is very important to get back to the people to know what they want and that can only be done through a gathering like this.

“With opportunities like this, when we deal with the executive, we would tell them these are the needs of the people in Lagos Mainland Constituency 2; so that when we are working on the budget, the executive will know exactly what the people need instead of just giving them anything,” he said.

Demands made by the constituents include the need to rehabilitate some schools in the area, repair and maintenance of bad roads especially Moshalasi Street, Balogun Street and Church Mission Road. They also complained about the canals in the constituency, urging the government to assist in clearing them.

“The request, submissions and presentation here today, will assist the legislature in its advisory and legislative duties. Legislation and indeed governance is about people; I remain committed to the principle of effective representation and service delivery to the people of Lagos Mainland 11.” Oshun told the people.

Apart from sharing bags of rice to all present at the meeting, the lawmaker also gave cash gift to widows, aged people and artisans.

“We are assisting the people with cash to supplement their daily living.

“So instead of giving them things they might not need I decided to give them money,” Oshun stated.

The Speaker of Lagos Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, who was represented by Sanai Agunbiade congratulated Oshun, calling him a man of integrity and one who has the interest of his people at heart.

Highlighting some of his achievements, Oshun listed some of the projects he has executed in the constituency to include donation of boreholes to about 12 streets and areas; facilitation of rehabilitation of about seven roads; facilitation of provision of 500KVA transformers to four Community Development Associations and four other streets; free health services; empowerment; social and infrastructural development.