Lagos Council Boss Advocates By-laws to Protect Public Property

Sunday Okobi
The Chairman of Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Egunjobi, is advocating by-laws to protect public property in the state from abuse by residents and business operators.

Egunjobi, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Rotimi Sulyman, said the council chairman made the call when organisers of Miss Cleaner Lagos Pageant 2107, an event to promote sanitation in the state, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

The chairman stated that many residents and business operators in Agege abuse government property, adding that there was an urgent need to stem the tide.
He noted that the misuse and abuse of public property are some of the factors responsible for infrastructure deficit in the country.

According to the statement, “Nigeria is today suffering huge infrastructure deficit not only due to government’s failure to make provision but also the attitude of the generality of the public.
“Agege is a miniature Nigeria. And here residents and business operators abuse public infrastructure in an unimaginable ways. They block access road, deface public property and dump waste in carnal and drainages indiscriminately.

“Artisans also use roadsides for workshops. Their activities and that of traders caused road damage. Some trade on the road and sidewalks.
“All these are clear antithesis to urban renewal drive being vigorously pursued by the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and we cannot continue to lose taxpayers’ money like this.”

Egunjobi said he would want a bylaw criminalising abuse of public property in the area, adding that the law would not only benefit the council but the public as well, since it touches critical issues that facilitate the improvement of public service delivery.