By Ihechukwu Sunday
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have called on the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to expedite action in the award of contract for the provision of solar street lights across the state.
The lawmakers equally urged the governor to order the Commissioner of Energy to ensure that current street lights are up and running.
They also resolved to mandate the local government chairmen to perform their constitutional duties of providing street lights in all local governments roads.
The resolution came under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by the member representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1, Lukmoh Olumoh, during plenary on Monday.
Olumoh, who said that Lagosians are complaining about the situation, noted that despite previous resolutions on streetlight installation, Lagosians were yet to benefit from the initiative, as many areas had been left in darkness and vulnerable to security threats.
“We should be up and running about that because Lagosians are complaining. We need also to explore alternatives which are solar street lights. N24 billion was allocated in the 2024 budget to ensure that we move from fossil generated light to solar street light,” he said.
Supporting the motion, Gbolahon Yishawu, representing Eti-Osa 2, echoed concerns from his constituents about poorly lit roads, stressing the urgency of awarding contracts for the project.
Also, Desmond Elliot, representing Surulere 01, highlighted the security benefits of functional streetlights in his constituency and suggested that local governments should complement state efforts by deploying solar-powered streetlights in their areas.
“It should be a complementary work between the state and local governments. Every road must have a complementary street light. Every dark corner under bridges must be lit up. Lighting up Lagos is something we must not compromise,” he submitted..
Lawmakers took turns to support the motion with some pointing out that the government should not just stop at providing the solar street light, but must go a step further to provide adequate security for the infrastructure as some hoodlums are in the habit of vandalising the street light.
Bonu Solomon, representing Badagry 1, raised the concern about vandalism of streetlight infrastructure and recommended deploying CCTV cameras to safeguard the installations.
In his remarks, Gbolahon Ogunleye, the member representing Ikorodu 01, called for equitable distribution of the project across all parts of the state, including remote areas, such as Epe, Badagry, and Ikorodu. This, he noted, would ensure that such public infrastructure as that schools and hospitals were equally protected. However, Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe 1, raised concerns about the use of previously allocated funds for the project.
He questioned whether past allocations had been utilized effectively and called for an investigation into the matter. His concerns were echoed by the Majority Leader Temitope Adewale, who urged the House to examine funding issues related to the project and other infrastructure challenges. “If we say the 2024 budget has performed 98 percent, let us know what has happened to the money budgeted for the solar street lights because Lagosians are complaining,” Adewale added.
On her part, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, stressed the need for local governments to align their road contracts with streetlight installations.
She also advocated for improved maintenance culture and urged citizens to play a role in safeguarding public infrastructure. “We must insist that any road given out henceforth, street light should be part of it. We can do solar street lights in Lagos. If we can produce transformers, solar street lights should be the least of our problems.
We should improve our maintenance culture. When you see something, say something. Government property is our property and we must all protect them,” she stated.
To address these concerns, the House set up a seven-member ad hoc committee, under the chairmanship of Sobur Oluwa, representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun 2, to investigate the challenges hindering the implementation of the Light-Up Lagos project.
Other members of the committee include Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1), Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi/Isolo 1), Femi Saheed (Kosofe 2), and Desmond Elliot (Surulere 1).
More Stories
Obi prays for God to grant Soludo greater heights Chuks Eze The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has called on the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo to show humility, gratitude and compassion, following what he described as an ‘unfortunate and bitter’ outburst by the governor. Speaking to journalists at the just-concluded Nigeria Guild of Editors meeting at the NAF Conference Center, Abuja, Obi congratulated Soludo for securing a second tenure and urged him to appreciate God’s mercies by responding to victory with grace rather than resentment. Obi’s remarks came after Soludo provoked controversy during his certificate-of-return ceremony, where he mocked his critics by calling Obi a ‘frustrated politician without a club’ and accused him of damaging the education system in Anambra. “I feel compelled to respond because if I do not, I will be accused of dodging the question,” Obi said, expressing surprise at Soludo’s remarks. “On an occasion meant to celebrate his certificate of return, instead of thanking Almighty God for granting him a second tenure; a moment to demonstrate love and magnanimity, he chose to show bitterness and resentment. It was deeply unfortunate.” Obi clarified his involvement in the recent Anambra election, saying, “I only attended three public events with the Labour Party candidate, strictly where I was invited. At none of these events did I mention anyone by name or meet with traditional rulers, market leaders or any other group to discuss candidates. There was nothing I said to warrant controversy or speculation,” he stressed. Reflecting on the Election Day, Obi recounted how he quietly fulfilled his civic duty, conscious of the weight of responsibility that comes with leadership. “I witnessed irregularities and disruptions that could have easily escalated into chaos,” he said. “When outsiders attempted to cast votes in our community, I stepped in and urged my people to remain calm and allow them to act peacefully. In that moment, I was reminded that integrity must always take precedence over politics. True leadership is measured, not by the contest for power, but by the courage to uphold fairness, restraint and the dignity of our people, even in the most trying circumstances.” Addressing Soludo’s mocking remarks, he used a vivid metaphor from football to clarify his perspective: “On the day of the election, journalists approached me as if I were on the ballot. I reminded them that I served as governor 13 years ago and have since moved on to a higher level in national politics. In football terms, if gubernatorial candidates are in the first division, I am in the Champions League. I ran for Vice President in 2019 and for President in 2023, winning 11 states and Abuja. I play well at that level, and my record speaks for itself.” He also reflected on his age and historic achievements in Anambra State. “In both the old and new Anambra, only Jim Nwobodo and I became governors in our 40s. I was the first to serve a second tenure. I have no personal issue with Governor Soludo. I pray that God grants him even greater heights, if that will inspire him to show humility, compassion and a genuine concern for the people,” he said. He concluded with an appeal, saying, “We must recognise the mercies God grants us. Leadership is not about resentment or bitterness; it is about service, gratitude, and love for our people.”
Kano: Yusuf assents to Law establishing Gaya Polytechnic
SDP NWC expels suspended national chairman, Gabam, 8 others