By Emmanuel Udom and Akanniyene Okon
The president of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Mr Debo Adeniran, has expressed concerns over the inability of Lagos State to match its population growth and infrastructural development.
The human rights activist said this at the Citizens Accountability and Rights Forum (CARF) held recently at the Rights House, in Ikeja, Lagos.
At the event themed Relevance and Roles of the Citizens in Infrastructural Development in Lagos State, Mr Adeniran said the population of the state has continued to grow because of its status as the economic capital of Nigeria.
According to him, with a population of over 20 million, it is becoming a huge task for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to solve.
“The state faces immense pressure to develop infrastructure that can keep up with population growth, economic activities, and urbanization, even as the state government has initiated several major projects over recent years to address these challenges,” he stated.
“Challenges like population pressure, funding constraints, and environmental concerns require that development is both accelerated and diversified to meet the city’s future demands.
“Continued investment, urban planning, and strong public-private partnerships will be critical to ensuring that Lagos evolves into a sustainable megacity capable of supporting its population and economic ambitions,” the CDHR chief said.
However, he charged residents of Lagos to support the government in managing the projects that have been put in place for their use, saying they should help in road safety, public transportation needs, and environmental concerns.