The Chairman of Apapa Local Council of Lagos State, Mr. Joseph Ayodeji, has lamented the deplorable state of the area, especially the roads, the destruction of the eco-system and the drainage system through the activities of haulage trucks.
He is also worried about other users of the seaports whose activities directly and indirectly impact negatively on facilities in the council.
Ayodeji, whose council houses the country’s main seaports, said what the area and the people are suffering in the hands of the Federal Government was not double, but triple jeopardy, because according to him, the Federal Government carried away the resources of the area, made use of some facilities provided by the council, wore them out, took no responsibility for replacement or repair and neither gave the area nor the people anything by way of corporate social responsibility.
The council boss declared that it was a matter of regret and injustice that the area accounting for over 80 percent of the income accruing to the Federal Government from the non-oil sector could be so neglected by the same government.
The Apapa Council Chairman called for the review of the derivative clause in the revenue allocation formula so that both the state and the council could benefit from the revenues being generated from the seaports in the area.
The council boss urged the Federal Government to honor its pledge and decision to grant a special status to Lagos State as contained in the document that transferred the country’s capital from Lagos to Abuja.
He faulted the recent decision of the Senate, which refused the state a special status on the ground that it might generate ill feelings among some people in the country.
While urging the Senate to review its decision without further delay, Ayodeji noted that the reason adduced by the Senate was dubious and unsubstantiated.
He also urged the Federal Government to grant the council a special status within the special status being demanded for the State
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