Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, constituted an ad-hoc committee to investigate street light-up projects in the state.
The lawmakers during plenary argued that despite huge yearly budgetary allocations for the street light-up projects, many streets in the state are in perpetual darkness.
Speaker of the House, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda announced a 8-member adhoc committee with Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh as the chairman.
Other members of the committee include Hon. Tobun Abiodun, Hon. Desmond Elliot, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, Hon. Akanbi Oluwa, Hon. Femi Saheed, Hon. Abiodun Orekoya and Hon. Femi Saheed.
The prime mover of the motion, Hon. Sa’ad Olumo representing Ajeromi Ifelodun constituency 1 prayed the Lagos State Government to expedient action in awarding contracts to light up streets across the state to combat insecurity and other crimes.
He also called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the commissioner for energy and other concerned agencies in the street light-up projects to be up and running while also mandating local government authority to provide street lights across their council areas.
In his submission, Hon. Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1) called for a probe into the year 2024 budgetary allocation for Lagos Street light projects.
He said, “If we are complaining about darkness, are we saying money wasn’t budgeted for the project? I want to suggest that an ad-hoc committee be set up to investigate the handlers of the street light-up project. If we are going to consider solar, we cannot be in darkness. A committee should be set up to look into the persistent darkness on streets across the state despite huge yearly budgetary allocations. Money has been allocated but the entire streets are in darkness. We need to know what the amount budgeted for this project is used for?”
Hon. Gbolahan Yishau representing Eti-Osa constituency 1, emphasised the importance of adequately lighting up the state in curbing crimes.
He said, “Power of security goes hand in hand. As we are aware, security is key but if we are settling for an alternative energy systems, we must ensure that it is sustainable. Whatever contract that is going to be awarded should take this into cognisance. The state is looking towards solar to empowering our streets.”
Lawmaker representing Surulere 1, Hon Desmond Elliot advocated a complementary role between the state and local government administration to light up the state.
He opined that lighting up Lagos cannot be compromised while also noting that 80 per cent of the Surulere constituency is lighted up by solar.
He said, “Light is life. We should take a cue from the Surulere constituency where about 80 per cent of the constituency is light up by solar. Kudos to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. This has brought a lot of development and nightlife in Surulere.
We can’t fold our arms and continue to dwell in darkness in the state. Lighting up Lagos should be a complementary work between state and local government. A lot of local government roles are not complementary. Every role should come with complementary solar work. Lighting up Lagos cannot be compromised. The government must ensure that solar-generated street lights are provided across the street. The concerned ministry and agency should work towards this.”
Hon Ogundipe Stephen representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency, said, “Light up Lagos is an initiative of this government. We promised Lagosians that we would improve on this especially because of insecurity. God has been kind to us in Lagos and we can’t take this for granted. The governor is trying but it’s time we run away from diesel and fossil energy. Solar is the in thing and we can’t run away from it. if there is no light, open defecation and crimes will be on the rise. This is why we must work hand in hand with relevant agencies to ensure our streets are light up.”
The majority leader of the House, Hon Temitope Adewale called for a probe into the performance of the 2024 budget.
He said, “Beyond street lights, there are other projects that have been abandoned. The capital budget was huge in terms of infrastructure. If we are talking about infrastructure decay then we have to look at the performance of the 2024 budget. An ad-hoc committee will do justice to find out what happened to the 2024 budget. This is necessary, particularly for all the contracts that have been awarded in the state.”
Ruling on the motion, the Speaker, Meranda said all hands must be on deck to light up the state.
She said, “Lighting up Lagos is very essential. It is one of the ways to curb insecurity and crimes. I think that is the way it should be. It is also very important to sensitise the local govt. Any contract they are awarding, street lighting should be a part of it. Let the Ministry of Energy and WAPA embark on a training program to equip their students with relevant skills on how to produce solar energy.
We should start looking towards this direction. We should also up our maintenance culture. We should try and fix infrastructure that is not working. Let us start seeing government property as our property.”
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