Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, has called for greater transparency and egalitarianism in state policies to address bias and discrimination allegations. In a recent statement, Rhodes-Vivour emphasized the need for an independent investigation into the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA).
According to a report by The Guardian, Rhodes-Vivour criticized the state government’s approach to building policy violations, arguing that merely demolishing illegal structures is insufficient. He stressed the importance of holding responsible officials accountable for enabling such violations.
Highlighting the housing challenges in Lagos, the Labour Party candidate challenged the state government, led by the All Progressives Congress (APC), to produce and implement a comprehensive plan to tackle the housing deficit. He cited the example of Lateef Jakande’s success in constructing 30,000 housing units in less than four years, questioning why the current administration has not made similar progress for low and middle-income earners.
Additionally, Rhodes-Vivour responded to the statement by Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunboh Wahab, on holding discussions with building violators in Lekki. He urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to make the drainage master-plan public, highlighting the need for transparent decision-making processes. Rhodes-Vivour acknowledged the shift in the government’s stance towards engaging with violators as a positive development but maintained that property destruction should be a last resort.
