Badagry Constituency’s representative in the Nigerian House of Representatives, Sesi Whingan, has reassured the people about the imminent reopening of the borders for commercial purposes. Speaking during a Badagry Stakeholders and Youth Engagement forum themed “Charting A Prosperous Future for Badagry: Unlocking Potential, Empowering People, and Accelerating Progress,” Whingan emphasised the government’s efforts to increase internal revenue, mentioning the reopening of borders as part of this strategy. He recognised the challenges the border closure has brought to residents in Badagry.
He reassured the public that his constituents would be relieved from economic difficulties once the borders reopened. He recognised the hardships businesses and individuals endured during the closure and highlighted the government’s determination to discover resolutions that would benefit the population. The lawmaker’s statement brought optimism to those finding it challenging to maintain their earnings amidst the limited Trade opportunities. During his discussion on the various challenges faced in Badagry, Whingan mentioned the importance of providing Electricity to specific communities in the region.
Several roadblocks have negatively impacted the region’s businesses.
Residents were reassured that the Rural Electrification Agency would send personnel to meet the power requirements of these underserved areas. The anticipated outcome is a significant improvement in the community’s living standards and an increase in economic opportunities. He brought up an issue regarding the Lagos-Badagry expressway, lamenting the negative impact of several roadblocks on the area. He expressed concern that these checkpoints hinder Badagry’s progress by discouraging tourists and investors. The area’s development needs to be improved due to the stress and delays caused by the excessive checkpoints.
Also, he proposed implementing technology, like drones, to observe and protect the vicinity, as he sees it as a better way to maintain Security without being overly invasive. Whingan has made significant strides since taking office, including finding jobs for 30 young people from Badagry in federal agencies. He is currently working on securing 40 more permanent positions for deserving youth in the area. He highlighted the National Identification Number (NIN) registration centre in Badagry, which has successfully registered over 70,000 people. Badagry citizens should be included in the national database to ensure they can enjoy citizenship’s full rights and privileges.
Key stakeholders voiced their opinions during the engagement forum.
Whingan emphasised the infrastructural issues faced, specifically mentioning the poor condition of the Mowo-Ikoga road. He informed residents that talks with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State have led to a promise to start fixing the road in a matter of weeks. Despite the road being under federal jurisdiction, the Lagos State government has agreed to step in and manage the required repairs. He further noted that the federal government is contemplating granting the contract for the unfinished Gbaji-Apa-Owode expressway to a new contractor, intending to upgrade it to a concrete roadway. The reconstruction of this project is anticipated to be part of the federal budget 2025.
During the engagement forum, Professor Henry Hunjo from Lagos State University (LASU) delivered a keynote speech, commending Whingan’s accomplishments and advocating for ongoing progress in Badagry. He stressed the importance of tackling environmental and infrastructural shortcomings, particularly the enduring issues with electricity supply. At the event, experts from different fields came together to brainstorm ways to enhance Badagry’s development. Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), stressed the importance of teamwork in addressing community issues, while political analyst Gbenu Mathew underscored the significance of leaders uniting to unlock Badagry’s hidden opportunities.
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Dr. Busola Odedina, the only woman on the panel, emphasised the importance of increasing women’s presence in community leadership positions. At the end of the forum, Whingan honoured those who had made significant contributions to the Badagry community. He awarded cash rewards, laptops, and various other presents as gestures of gratitude. He unveiled the initiation of the Badagry Tech Talents 1,000 Programme, a project designed to educate and empower 1,000 young individuals in information and communication Technology (ICT), providing them with the necessary expertise to succeed in the modern digital marketplace.