The pains and gains of running a mega Lagos

                                                                                                                                           Photo: google

Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos state, south-west Nigeria, may not be a miracle worker, but he is doing some fantastic jobs on the mega status of state.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016, this reporter was going from Ogba in Lagos through Pen Cinema in Agege to Abule- Egba, along the popular Lagos-Abeokuta expressway to Sango Ota in Ogun state.

From Abule-Egba, where the bridge is being constructed through to Ahmadijah bus-stop along the expressway, the bulldozers, backed up with Lagos taskforce officials and security agents were on ground, demolishing buildings and shops.

The popular Guaranty Trust bank and Wema bank, located at Aworu bus-stop were hit by the bulldozers.

Media reports says residents of Abule-Egba protested about the decision of the government in Lagos to demolish 1000 houses and shops to give room for the expansion of the expressway.

The protesters accused the government of reneging on its agreement with property owners based on the agreed 32 metres from the old electric poles.

But, government extended portions for demolition to 91.44 metres, a newspaper in Lagos wrote.

According to the protesters, the on-going demolition exercise has left four landladies, among who is Mrs Soyebatu Atobajaye, hospitalized.

For those affected by the demolition, it is painful and the government should do something to alleviate their pains as soon as possible.

Ambode seems to be a master servant delivering silently on his many dividends of democracy promises.  

For those affected, the pains may be unbearable now, but even all these shall pass away, so says the Bible.

The pain is short-term, while the gain for the collective good of Lagos and Lagosians is long-term.