Mr. Fashola's plea to the Federal Government

NEXT Editorial

In the last few years, the relationship between the Lagos State government and the federal government has not been cordial. Existing as party rivals and political giants with differing developmental plans, both governments have carried on like competing confederacies.

Last week, this frosty relationship resurfaced, when Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, received members of the Senate Committee on Works, Housing and Urban Development. According to reports, Mr. Fashola urged the federal government to seek the input of state governors whenever it selects projects to execute in the states. "We know our communities better than anyone in Abuja and we can advise on what should be the priority project that will impact more people," he was quoted to have said.

Fashola's plea, though ambitious, echoes a concern about the relationship between the centre and the nation's former capital that remains the industrial and commercial hub of the country. Lagos is not only a mega city, but also the country's most cosmopolitan urban hub and gateway to Nigeria, requiring efficient planning and management.

However, since the seat of power relocated from Lagos to Abuja, and owing to the resultant waning federal presence in the state, public infrastructures have been allowed to sink into a shambles, without any visible signs that the federal government has plans to rehabilitate them any time soon. .

We think such a lopsided relationship that undermines the input of the state government on matters pertaining to the political goods accruable to its people, is an unpatriotic gesture. It is not the way it should be and undermines the principles on which the federation is based.

A situation where the federal government views itself as an entity in competition with Lagos State is counterproductive to national development and the well being of the people. A tussle between the federal government and the Lagos State government, for whatever reasons, will be detrimental to the interest of the nation.

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Reader Comments (11)

Posted by TATA on Nov 30 2009

Mr. Fashola urged the federal government to seek the input of state governors whenever it selects projects to execute in the states. SORRY, THINGS DO NOT WORK LIKE THAT IN A FEDERAL ENTITY...does lagos have senators, representatives and ministers?

Posted by Ozi on Nov 30 2009

@TATA, that exactly what i thought, Lagos state repts, senators and the selected ministers from Lagos should as a way of representing their community that elected them and put them there, update the state of the on-going projects and perhaps get more ideas from the state governor on what-and-what project should be channelled to the state among the selected projects. This suggests the non-one voice of the state and Fed. The Partisan politics

Posted by Rasheed Ahmed, Lansing USA on Nov 30 2009

Fashola, apart from being a SAN, has been in government for some time before his ascendancy to the Governor house and obviously knows the workings of government better than you guys. To the extent that the federal system of government allows representative participation by each federating unit you have a point but it is no secret that Nigerian politicians do not play by the rules, that is if they even understand the rules. And so, Fashola is right for admonishing the visiting committee to seek input from State Governments. I also do not see anything bad in the Governor canvassing for the right of inclusion because the issue is about his State.

Posted by Pinkjacket on Nov 30 2009

@Tata. Do you think the senators and "dis-honorable" reps from Lagos can really determine anything. The federal executive is all powerful. What I advice Fashola to do is to see Lagos as a mini country, he should do as many roads as possible, federal, state and local inclusive. You know why? Because the size of the tax he wants to collect is a function of how well Lagos runs. A word is enough for the wise.

Posted by BABS on Nov 30 2009

@Tata, While I agree that the Ministers and not senators or representatives from individual states should make credible recommendations to the president regarding the selection of pressing projects to be executed, the role of governors cannot also be de-emphasised. Projects are meant to be complimentary especially in developing entities like ours to really maximise their intended outputs. Lagos is a case in point where virtually all federal roads remain bad with state roads fast improving. Concerted effort and not differing priorities at different levels of government will take us nearer the finish line. I agree with Governor Fashola.

Posted by TATA on Nov 30 2009

unfortunately for fashola, being a SAN has responsibilities, understanding and following the law or rules no matter what is expedient, did lagos state seek the input of the federal government before creating more local government? is lagos not an ac state? how come they voted for dishonorable people...you see the wahala...my people, just follow the rules no matter how cumbersome it may appear...

Posted by Omo Alhaja on Nov 30 2009

PDP Federal Government helping AC Lagos State Government look good. Have we matured to that level yet? The problem goes beyond Lagos. Because of the Exclusive Legislative List in the 1999 Constitution, the FG owns ports, rail lines, roads, solid minerals in the ground, all offshore resources, electricity transmission and distribution and it regulates agriculture, education, health. There's a lot more. Since 19666, the Federal Government has controlled EVERYTHING, done none of them well (and indeed most of them with sheer incompetence) and thereby hampered the growth of the Nigerian State in ways that are beyond measure. Yet we say we have a FEDERAL State. Fashola is the only Governor courageous enough top voice what every State Governor truly knows in his heart: the Federal Government of Nigeria is an incubus that stifles the States. We must realise that the primary constitutional amendment Nigeria needs is to considerably shorten the Exclusive Legislative List and increase the ambit of State Residual Powers (those things the States can do exclusively, while also re-ordering the revenue allocation formula to equally reduce the FG's take and increase allocations to States and LGs. This will not solve our National Question overnight but it is a critical first step. That =N=1 billion voted by the FG for constitutional amendment is a scam. The relationship between the FG and the States is built on a lie. It is unwholesome, unfair and oppressive and only when we confront this reality will we see real progress in this country.

Posted by iyakise udofia from akwa-ibom on Nov 30 2009

Fashola is doing well, What i seeing is dat he takes advantage of the mistake of the lagosian to create wealth. With de daily income he generate from lasma along can rebuild the city. He does not meed help from federal gov. what so ever. So what i seeing here is just a media politics.

Posted by abiola, Maryland on Nov 30 2009

Are you serious? The federal gov't considers lagos a competition? that is absurd. I support Fashola, the states governors need to be, not informed, but consulted when projects are been established. The argument for his demand is reasonable. I think nigerian leaders need to stop seeing each other as enemies rather a team and work together. I just think the fed are jealous someone is fixing a mess they should have done and he is making progress. Go Fashola and as for the Federal gov. please in the name of God, know you reign over the state and if the state is progressing, you will also be praised.

Posted by Omo Alhaja on Nov 30 2009

Iyakise: Fashola needs all the help he can get. He has a =N=122bn hole in his 2010 Budget and in today's Nigeria I don't see how he can fill it without some kind of FG support. TATA, creation of LGAs has nothing to do with it. The point is this: if the FG sees no need to maintain the substantial road infrastructure it owns within Lagos State, it should devolve operation and maintenance responsibility to LASG.

Posted by @OLA on Dec 01 2009

LUCKY lAGOS ,Two govts justling to service Lagos , one sincere the other fake, Fashola continue with your good work, it is better you do not allow the leprous finger of the ENENMY to distract you.