Resources inadequate for Lagos’ massive infrastructure needs — Hamzat

Lagos State requires a significantly larger budget to address its escalating infrastructure demands, according to Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat. He cited mounting costs and a rapidly growing population as primary pressures on the state's resources.

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Resources available to the government remain inadequate compared with the scale of infrastructure needs across Lagos.

Hamzat explained that while the government is investing heavily in key sectors, the available funds are inadequate for the scale of needs. He identified transport, housing, healthcare, and education as critical areas requiring sustained and increased funding. The cost of road rehabilitation alone has risen sharply, with estimates far exceeding previous figures.

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We used to have 14 maintenance gangs, but we have increased them to 34 teams of engineers that go around Lagos identifying and rehabilitating bad portions of roads.

Addressing road infrastructure, Hamzat noted that projects like the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge remain on the agenda but necessitate substantial financial commitment. He detailed efforts by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, which has expanded its maintenance teams to address road conditions across the state's nearly 10,000 roads.

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When we do roads in Lagos, we are not just moving vehicles; we are moving water. Lagos must not sink. We must look into our drainage channels to ensure that there is no overflow.

Furthermore, Hamzat stressed that road construction in Lagos must integrate drainage and water management to prevent flooding, given the state's low-lying terrain. He also addressed housing needs, emphasizing the importance of a functional mortgage system to help residents own homes. Hamzat asserted that development is spread across all local government areas, despite claims of concentration in specific areas, reiterating that limited resources remain the main constraint.

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There is no local government that we have not touched.