The Economist is praising the administration of the former governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola.
In the latest issue of the London-based magazine titled "Paralysed, Why Nigeria's largest city is even less navigable than usual", Fashola is praised for succeeding in improving traffic and empowering the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.
"The state’s former governor, Babatunde Fashola, who
left office after elections in March, was lauded for improving traffic
and security. He curbed dangerous motorbike taxis and brought local
“area boys” (street children), under control. Cars were terrified into
order by a state traffic agency, LASTMA, whose bribe-hungry officers
flagged down offending drivers."
However, it condemns the present administration by saying that Governor Ambode is "full of excuses, but few solutions, for the worsening gridlock."
According to the mag, traffic and security has worsened under this administration because the governor has "cut the powers of traffic controllers by banning them from impounding cars."
"His successor, Akinwunmi Ambode,
is full of excuses, but few solutions, for the worsening gridlock.
Traffic is always bad during the rains, he says. Nigerians are migrating
to Lagos en masse in search of work in a worsening economy, his office
adds. Yet the root of the problem is in policy: Mr Ambode
cut the powers of traffic controllers by banning them from impounding
cars. In retaliation, officers have refused to enforce the rules. Reform
in a culture riddled with corruption is never easy. Mr Ambode’s
office says the measure was intended to create a more “civil society”.
Less fastidious types think it amounts to weakness, and would prefer
that he focused on public transport instead. The biggest concern is that
the gridlock is a sign of a breakdown in relations between security
forces, government agencies and the new governor. If that is the case,
there could be worse to come. That is bad news not only for Lagosians,
but all Nigerians too."
No comments:
Post a Comment