Published By Olanrewaju Adesanya
Sequel the year 2021 annual Town Hall meetings held simultaneously across the 40 constituencies in Lagos State, constituents and stakeholders have task government to strengthen sensitisation and public awareness campaigns against drug and substance abuse.
It would be recalled on August 19th 2021, the parley theme: “Increasing Wave of Drug:A Threat to Nation Building” came alive to tackle the ugly trend in the state.
The House during Thursday plenary took reports in consideration of constituency stakeholders meeting and the most echoed demand is that it should not be a one off thing, given the alarming dimension of the issue.
The lawmakers who took turns to relay all that transpired at their constituencies, notes that many also like to have the parley more than once in a year, as it affords them room for interface and feedbacks between constituents and their representatives and by extension the government.
Speaking at the plenary Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa made an appraisal of how it all went in his constituency noting that aggregated demands of people have been compiled and handed to the executive for proper reflection and capture in the year 2022 appropriation bill.
According to Obasa, government developmental efforts in Agege constituencies were commended by the stakeholders.
He however, NDLEA officers paid a courtesy call on the house after the parley in appreciation of the noble concept and also called for partnership with the lawmakers to tackle the issue head long.
Obasa raised a point of concern on frequent refusal of many Corporate Organisations when invited for such parley, but are always first to put up petition against government,. “We urge them to partake in such fora when invited “. He said.
He added that bi-annual proposal for the parley is also in view ,”we shall consider it but we all know there are financial implications. We want the people to know that their demands are placed before government and that we shall continue to represent them effectively. “
A number of the lawmakers, who also made contributions on the parley all spoke glowingly about their experiences, in some areas especially in Kosofe, Eti-Osa, Alimosho, Shomolu and others the challenges cited ranges from poor drainage, flash floods and slow paced road construction, dearth of fire fighting station, need for construction befitting bridges and restoration of street light to bring back night life and commerce in certain areas.
Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu after a recap of all that transpired in his constituency at stakeholders parley moved that Governor Babajide Sanwoolu direct the Civic Engagement Ministry to commence a vigorous sensitisation exercise for all categories of people to forestall drug and substance abuse in the state .
Others are; Hon. Rotimi Olowo (Shomolu 1), Hon. Bisi Yusuff Alimosho 1, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni Lagos Island 1, Hon. Tobun Abiodun Epe 1, Hon. Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawon Kosofe 1, Hon. Saheed Obafemi Kosofe 2 and many others.
The house later adjourned sitting till Tuesday November 2nd 2021.