The representative of Badagry Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Setonji David, is not happy that past administration abandoned Badagry, a popular boarder town in Nigeria which, according to him, is a money spinner for the government.
Hon. Setonji David
Q: How would you assess the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and what advice do you have for him?
We know the track records of the president and the people voted for change. You can see that things are changing. You can see that we now have constant electricity in Nigeria.
It shows that a good manager has taken over. Also, the president is probing the past governments so that he could recover our stolen funds. He didn’t go there to probe, but when he discovered the level of stealing in the system, he had to probe them. I would advise him to continue with what he has been doing. He should remain focused and give us the kind of government the people voted for. He should not be distracted.
Q: What is the situation of things in the state since it appears things have been so quiet since Governor Ambode took over?
I don’t agree with you that things are quiet. This is a new government and we are working to ensure that the right steps are taken so that we will not misfire.
Government is a continuum and we must ensure that policies are well consummated. It is too early to start condemning the state government and I believe strongly that the government is working hard and by the time you start seeing those things, you would marvel.
Even at the federal level, Buhari is taking his time; he is studying events to make sure that the right steps are taken. The state government is also working to do its best.
Q: There are insinuations that the past government in Lagos State should be probed. What is your view on this?
We are moving forward, I don’t think that is necessary at all. We will not probe anybody. The opposition is just jittery and they are looking for ways to destabilise the government of the state. They want to come through the back door to get what they could not get ordinarily.
They lost out and want to destabilize the government. Governor Ambode would take the state to a greater height and create an impact that we have never seen before.
Q: The governor has just said that the state would be operating the policy of single treasury account. What do you think about this?
It is a very good policy. It shows transparency and it shows that the he wants to ensure that all the loopholes in the system are blocked. It also shows that this government means well for the state. Everybody should encourage him.
Q: The Lagos State House of Assembly has been talking about the new legislative agenda. What should be our expectation about it?
The 8th Assembly would be one of the most vibrant you have ever witnessed in the state. We will make sure that we give the people what they deserved.
Q: What is your assessment of the would-be-cabinet list of Governor Ambode?
We are expecting the list so that we can screen all of them. The governor followed the right process. I don’t want to comment on the list yet.
I am not out to speculate on what Ambode wants to do. We believe that what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. The state governor is working hard on it and work has not stopped in the state. Let us wait for the list; it is solely his responsibility to bring it to the House.
Q: We used to hear that Badagry is for PDP, but you are APC. What magic played out?
It is absolutely incorrect to state that Badagry is for the PDP. We are progressives; go to the history of Badagry, we have always been progressive. The one you are talking about is an aberration, it happened by accident. Badagry is 80 percent APC and the party would always win in any election done in the area. There is no PDP in Badagry. We started from the AD to AC, ACN and now APC. It would be a miracle if the opposition wins in Badagry because it is traditionally a progressive area.
Q: People believe that the major industry in Badagry is smuggling…
That is not true; the smugglers that ply the area are not from Badagry. We are basically farmers, fishermen and we are well educated. Smuggling is not our business; people place emphasis on negative stories. The place is not a smuggling town.
Q: As a representative of Badagry, what are those things you think the area desires currently?
There are a number of things Badagry desires. We are yearning for development. Civilisation in Nigeria started in Badagry.
The first storey building in Nigeria is in Badagry, it was built in 1842. The first primary school in Nigeria was built in Badagry, but we are at the lowest ebb in Lagos State now.
So, we are yearning for development and begging the state government to direct policies towards development of our community in terms of road construction, social amenities, and infrastructure. We are not where we ought to be.
Q: With such historical facts like having the first storey building and the first primary school in Nigeria, how did Badagry get to this sorry state?
It is not our fault that we are not treated well. How come we have not been given the right position in Lagos State? We should ask you those questions.
If you are talking of tourism in Lagos State, we have so many tourist centres in here. Some years ago, people used to come and enjoy the beaches in Badagry. But now, because of the bad roads and some other factors, this has changed.
We are now begging the government to come back and develop the place for us; provide infrastructure such as roads and all sorts. I am happy that expressway is being extended and it would be one of the biggest roads in Africa.
We want the government to prevail on the contractors to work fast so that the project would not linger. Also, there is so much unemployment in Badagry; so many graduates there are not working. But if the policies of the government are directed towards the place, it would be better and there would be development.
Q: Is Badagry suffering because it is a border town?
I don’t know. I cannot say if that is the reason for its neglect. You know Lagos is the commercial nerve centre, so Badagry should not lag behind
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