Olajimi Olusola -CEO, African Refuge Foundation: I think the governor is doing well. The governor is on track. There were lots of programmes being put in place by the former governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The governor is now completing them and he should be lauded.
This is the first time that we know that there is transition from one government to another from the same party. And all that has been planned before is now being carried out. You can see what is happening to the roads and the BRT. Security is being strengthened. LAWMA is doing well. This is the beauty of continuity. This is unlike what we had before in Nigeria. All we can do now is to see where we can support the government as members of the public to ensure that his initiatives are strengthened for the benefit of Lagosians.
Mr. Debo Adeniran -Activist: Fashola’s 300 days in office may not be enough to assess his performance. I believe that this regime ought to reorder their priorities, especially on the issue of the Urban Mass Transit, the BRT. The concept of making Lagos a true mega city is good, but the government should have the ability to develop the existing structures and expand them to accommodate the mega population. What the government is doing is to destroy the existing infrastructure without providing credible alternatives. That is not good enough for the development of humanity.
They say they have created about 60,000 jobs. These jobs are the ones that take away other people’s job. And these are jobs that are not suitable for a city like Lagos. You have to create a job that will create another job. Regarding the BRT, it may work, but go and look at the roads. Some are now caving in. With the little rain we had some have started sinking and erosion is already taking over. They don’t have to use BRT to take away other people’s jobs. They should find a way of doing it without restricting other commuter buses to the service lane. The BRT project has to be reviewed in a way that it will cushion the hardship being experienced and not adding to people’s suffering. That is what will make their project and programme acceptable to the people.
Dr. Goodluck Obi, UN Official: The 300 days of Fashola’s administration has been good so far. He has been able to change the face of the state. Look at BRT, the beautification project which has created jobs for thousands of Lagosians. He has worked tremendously. Though it is too early to fully assess him now, I believe that with what he has done so far he will take Lagos to greater heights.
Fagbemi O. Olusegun-Lawyer: The major source of joy, which ordinarily is nothing to rejoice about, is the BRT project. Ordinarily, people are of the opinion that he makes use of Lagos state money for that purpose, but I am of the opinion, having discovered that the buses were bought on loan in the name of National Union of road Transport Workers (NURTW). Why should you be giving the glory to him? The loan is still there and is yet to be paid back. Because of ignorance people are saying “Moto Fashola”, meaning Fashola’s Buses. I have not really settled down to assess his performance so far, but what is being applauded by many people in my opinion is not worth the appreciation. So, Fashola in his 300 days in office is still trying to find his feet. He wants to make Lagos a mega city but I don’t believe one should go to the extent of borrowing before he can stabilise. Already, the money owed Lagos State by the Federal Government has been paid. The money is said to be in the bank. The question is, for what purpose?
Why did he still obtain loan? I even learned that the money they used in the construction of the BRT lanes is also borrowed. A state that was lending money to others, is now borrowing.
Dayo Adenike (Student): So far, so good, Fashola has performed well. The streets are now cleaner and the fight against street trading is ongoing. The beautification project is another plus among other things. I may say that his 300 days in office is the beginning of better things that will come to Lagos.
Edwin Oyoh -Self Employed: Well, Fashola’s 300 days in office has been a blessing to the state. Before he came to power, one could hardly walk freely with the heavy presence of street traders. But now the streets have been cleared.
Also, the governor has been able to maintain roads. Roads that used to be full of potholes are now rehabilitated. In fact, he has performed well. But I still want him to work on the security situation in the state so that lives and property can be safe. I want the federal government to complement the governor’s effort on security because it costs much.
John Agbo: Fashola has performed well. I can say that he has improved on what he met on ground. The traffic situation has improved compared to what we were previously used to.
In the area of employment and waste management, Fashola has made significant improvement. He is one of the best governors in Nigeria. I wish a second term would be given to him.
Sola Adeoye-Driver: For now, we cannot fully evaluate the man. He has just come into political limelight. However, he has brought a measure of sanity to our roads. But I think he needs to educate all motorists including motorcyclists on road signs in order to avoid high rate of casualties.
Also, the man has really new transport system- the BRT. But he should extend such gesture to other parts of the state. So far, he has done well.
Kadiri Oloruntoba-Telecommunications Engineer: Governor Fashola has tried his best. Initially when he came into office, it appeared as if he was finding the work very difficult but now he looks ready. In the area of transportation, the introduction of the BRT is a good development. But he needs to work hard in this area. Armed robbery takes place on daily basis. In areas like Ikotun, Ejigbo, Alimosho and others, armed bandits have been operating unchallenged. He needs to work hard in the area of security. The governor needs to check the activities of the officials of Kick Against Indiscipline. The outfit is going beyond its jurisdiction. I want the governor to call them to order.
The outfit has done more harm than good. Some of our roads need to be rehabilitated. He must not only concentrate on the city. Let him extend his kind gesture to other parts of the state
.Johnson Gbadebo: Fashola’s 300 days in office has uplifted the status of the state. For example, some of our roads have been rehabilitated. But he should do more in tackling the issue of perennial traffic snarl. Aside that, he has really performed well.
—Reported by Paul Sanusi & Emmanuel Osodi.
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