The Economist Magazine in its annual world liveable cities ranking, ranked Lagos as the second least liveable cities in the world coming behind Damascus and ahead of Tripoli and Dhaka.
Immediately the report was released there were reactions on the report with many condemning the report, while few praised the magazine for exposing the true state of Lagos. We also had something to say about the report.
A perusal of the report and the reactions shows that Lagos is only liveable for the elites and not the indigent people in the state. The myriad of anti-people policies enacted by successive governments in the state has placed the poor at the receiving end of the development of the state and there’s no sign this will end anytime soon.
The livelihood of many has been erased by the state – under the guise of development, which has further deepened the woes of poor people in Lagos.
Years ago the Tejuosho market in Yaba was a beehive of activities not until it was gutted by Fire in the year 2007 and was rebuilt by the Fashola Administration.
When the reconstruction of the market was completed, the price was increased beyond the reach of the common man and today the market remains a ghost of itself with very few occupants. Rather than make the market available for the poor it was unaffordable for them. The case of Tejuosho is one out of many markets in Lagos that were given out.
On August 2, 2012, the Lagos state government signed into law the Lagos traffic bill banning commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada riders, from plying 475 major routes within the state metropolis. The decision was condemned by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other activists in Lagos but, the state had its way and many were rendered jobless.
As if that was not enough, the demolition of waterfront communities in Makoko, Otodo-Gbame and the impending one in Ago-Egun has shown the level of hardship being experienced by the poor in Lagos.
This doesn’t guarantee a quality life for them in the city of aquatic splendour and has disproved its liveability status.
Dear YNaija Editor,
Early on in your article, you referenced another post where Ynaija reacted to the EIU Report. An extract from that post is as follows:
“It is disheartening that our Lagos is placed next to war-torn cities. They say “continued threats from groups like Boko Haram act as a constraint to improving stability in Lagos”. Those of us who live in Lagos know that this is far from the truth and our city does not deserve to continue to be at the bottom of that uninformed list. We doubt if anyone from the EIU has been to Lagos recently to see the transformation going on here.”
It is interesting that you have also fallen after the pattern you accused the EIU Report of, because what you said about Tejuosho is not based on facts. I also doubt if anyone on your team actually went to Tejuosho to verify the claims you have made. I work closely with the team in Tejuosho Phase 2 (Shopping Centre) and just for the sake of those who read this, I want to set the records straight, just like you did with the EIU report.
Tejuosho has 2 phases under separate ownership and management teams.
Phase 2 is being transformed from a market to a shopping centre, with a mixture of established brands and small businesses. Big brands like SPAR, HealthPlus, Zenith Bank, 9Mobile are tenants there.
There are at least 400 traders within the premises trading all sorts from Okrika shoes to apparels and the place, although not open yet is buzzing with activities.
Stores can be rented from N42,000/month, and there are very flexible payment terms.
Phase 2 is officially opening in some weeks time.
I could go on, but I will let your team carry out their due diligence and publish their findings. At least, that is what good journalism is about.