By Olanrewaju Adesanya
Lagos State House of Assembly in its Thursday plenary has rejuvenated the call for the need to grant the state special status and State Police to enable it meet up with challenges of governance.
Hon. Sanai Agunbiade representing Ikorodu 1 move the motion under matter of urgent public importance, situated it around the recent turn of events where 123 northerners from Jigawa were intercepted by the state task force, being conveyed in cattle truck with their motorbikes at Agege area of Lagos.
In his submission, Sanai said nobody knows the intention of those who came in trucks with their motorcycles, noting that most of them, really have no positive value they coming to add to the state’s economic structure but rather to constitute security challenge .
According to him, available infrastructures are inadequate and the moves of government to plan and address the inadequacies in our health, education, transportation and other basic facilities get thwarted by this unchequered influx of individuals from the north into the state.
The lawmakers also task the Commissioner of Police to ensure adequate security of lives and properties are afforded the state and residents.
The House also called on National Assembly to review the constitution in order to accommodate State Police and also reteiterates the need for special status for the State.
In his contribution, Tunde Braimoh representing Kosofe 2 said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu should enhance implementation of extant traffic law of the state to caution the people, who might want to act contrary to the law of the State.
Hon. Mojisola Macaulay representing Amuwo constituency 1 however, suggested the need for governor Sanwo-Olu to raise the issue among other governors to caution their people on the need to adhere to laws of Lagos State.
In his view, Hon Fatai Mojeed representing Ibeju Lekki 1,said there the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) should be instructed to commence inspection of motorcycles to ensure compliance by operators, fish out defaulters and give penalty to deter non-conformists.
Hon. Abiodun Tobun opined that the 123 northerners arrested and released should have been sent back with their motorcycles, saying their release was not good enough.
“They are here to constitute nuisance because they have no value to add to the development of the State”, he said.
The Speaker Mudashiru Obasa who supported his colleagues added that the budget of the State is no longer enough to cater for the people, due to development.
“The law that permits movement
of people also gives power to the State to direct its affairs. Those who come
in must abide with the rules and regulations.
The commissioner of police should have handed over the 123 people to immigration
for proper identification before their release.
“This is more reason why Lagos needs special status with state police to secure the lives of her people”, he said.
The House counseled that it is high time Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu started empowering the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps to ensure security in the State, even as the Federal Government controlled Police still enjoys his magnanimity.
