Lagos State House of Assembly has engaged communities in the state on environmental challenges in order to put all hands on deck in nipping it in the bud.
This engagement entitled Environmental Challenges: Community engagement in preferring lasting solutions was held simultaneously in all the 40 constituencies of the state.
Speaking at the meeting in Lagos Mainland Constituency 2, Hon. Moshood Oshun noted that the state is facing rapid environmental challenges, urging residents to desist from frustrating government efforts at proffering solutions to the problem.
“Considering the importance of your input as constituents and the fact that Lagos state is the most populous state in Nigeria with over 22 million people attracting a daily influx of over 6,000 migrants, the state certainly faces daunting rapid environmental problems which include amongst others waste generation and management.
“Despite efforts being put in place to sensitize residents on the need to protect the environment, some still prefer to violate the Environmental Law and involve in actions capable of frustrating government’s efforts and huge investment in the sector,” Oshun said
Meanwhile, Oshun appealed to residents to comply with the Environmental Laws of the state, embrace attitudinal change and join hands with the Government in a renewed commitment to preserving the environment.
While touching on the importance of the meeting in his constituency, Member representing Lagos Mainland Constituency 1, Hon. Owolabi Ibrahim highlighted the significance of the Legislative arm of government as a mediator between the grassroots and the executive arm in terms of projects in a constituency.
“At the parliament, we are really pushing out for more oversight in these four years of government and also to ensure that our canals and drainages are free and clear of blockades.
“In terms of projects, we hope to follow on-suite whatever the Governor is doing. So, we take our lead from the Executive because it is very important that we understand the work of the legislature and the Executive.
“So, the Legislative arm is the mediator between the Executive arm and the grassroots of the country. So, we reprimand when things have gone wrong in order to ensure that projects are done right” Owolabi stated.
The lawmaker explained that the meeting assessed the degradation of waterways and canals in the community and also sourced for new challenges the constituents are encountering.
He, however, emphasized on his primary healthcare programme, focusing on malaria and diabetes as the major health issues being faced in his constituency.
“Diabetes and malaria are the biggest issue we have in this constituency. One, it is due to the way that we eat. Second is that all the stagnant water are breeding mosquitoes
“Hence, we have more people infested with malaria due to the more mosquitoes we have. This is why we run those free healthcare programmes to ensure that people remain healthy” Ibrahim said.
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