Lagos' enormous infrastructure demands exceed available funds, says Hamzat

Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has emphasized the need for a larger budget to cater to the state's escalating infrastructure demands, driven by soaring costs and rapid population expansion.

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Hamzat expressed this view during an appearance on a Fresh FM radio programme in Lagos on Monday, where he noted that despite significant investments in key sectors, available resources still fell short of meeting the scale of demand.

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He pinpointed transport, housing, healthcare, and education as critical areas that necessitate sustained and increased funding, underscoring the inadequacy of current resources in relation to the state's infrastructure requirements.

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Hamzat revealed that the cost of road rehabilitation across the state had skyrocketed, recalling that as far back as 2011, the estimated cost exceeded N700 billion, with major projects like the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge still on the agenda but requiring substantial financial commitment.

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The deputy governor disclosed that the Lagos State Public Works Corporation had enhanced its capacity to address road conditions, increasing the number of maintenance gangs from 14 to 34 teams of engineers tasked with identifying and rehabilitating bad portions of roads.

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He noted that with approximately 9,911 roads across the state, all requiring regular maintenance, road construction in Lagos goes beyond merely improving vehicular movement to integrating drainage and water management into infrastructure planning.

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Hamzat stressed the importance of considering the origin, flow, and discharge of water to prevent flooding and environmental hazards, given the state's low-lying terrain, which necessitates an integrated approach to road construction and drainage management.

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On capacity development, Hamzat emphasized that building infrastructure in Lagos involves not only funding but also strengthening the expertise of professionals, dismissing claims that state government projects are concentrated in affluent areas like Lekki and Ajah.

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He asserted that development had been spread across the state, with no local government left untouched, although limited resources remained a significant constraint, and reiterated the need for a functional mortgage system to enable ordinary residents to own homes.

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Hamzat highlighted the challenges of housing development in the state, which had become more complex due to rapid population growth and increasing pressure on land, unlike during the era of former Governor Chief Lateef Jakande when the population was smaller and land more readily available.

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He advocated for innovative approaches and effective financing mechanisms to tackle housing shortage and expand access to affordable homes, and defended the quality of public schools in Lagos, dismissing claims of declining standards.

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Hamzat expressed the state government's commitment to strengthening its education sector as part of its long-term investment in human capital development, underscoring the importance of education in the state's overall development strategy.