There’s room for improvement in N’Assembly, says Raji, Fashola’s aide

Lateef Raji, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is the Special Adviser on Infor­mation and Strategy to Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN). Raji, who wants to represent Oshodi/ Isolo Federal Constituency 1 at the National Assembly, spoke with NKIRU ODIN­KEMELU on his aspiration and other matters of general importance. Excerpts:

What is your reaction to the position of the Peoples Demo­cratic Party (PDP) that the loan collected by the Lagos State government has been converted for personal and party use?
That is a position that is not sup­ported by any shred of reasoning or evidence. Lagosians cannot be taken on such a cheap ride. What the loans were taken for are evident everywhere you turn to in Lagos.
Lagosians applaud the Lagos State Government efforts in these areas: We have the reconstruction of Lagos- Badagry dual carriageway, construction of Ijegun-Isheri-Oshun-Isolo (Jakande Estate) road works in Alimosho. We also have ongoing, the reconstruction of Ishasi road, Ojo LGA, reconstruc­tion of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Project, Reconstruction of Mushin- Isolo Road, Mushin LGA, Upgrading of Roads within Apapa LGA, Marina Road, Bombay Crescent, Randle Road, Ibikunle Akintoye, Commercial Road and Burma Road, Shoreline Protection Works – Goshen Estate to Alpha Beach, Eti-osa LGA. It will also interest you to know that the acquisition of Asset/ Liability of the LCC is essentially an infrastructure development of 47km Lekki-Epe Expressway road, Blue Line Rail Project, Okokomaiko – Marina, Adiyan Water Project II 70 Millenium Development Goals (MGD), comple­tion of Ayinke House, General Hospital Ikeja – Equipment. I can go on and on but the loan is meant to develop Lagos State.
But was there a need for the loan in the first place?
When you consider the volume of the essay on the infrastructure deficit in the state, you would agree that there is need to approach the financial market for funds to bridge the gap. I know saying this alone would not satisfy you, but let me put it this way. Out there, the impression is that Lagos State makes so much money from its Internally Gener­ated Revenue (IGR) and does not need any external loan to fund its programs.
But, let us put things into perspective. Assuming Lagos realizes N30billion monthly with over 21million people to cater for, divide that figure and let’s find out the share per head. Taking the result, would the ratio accruable to each resident be sufficient for each one of us to provide security, water, bridges, healthcare services, schools, roads, traf­fic light, dispose refuse?
By and large, the essence of bor­rowing is to address infrastructure deficit and the way to go about it is to approach institutions that have enough money in their pool. What Lagos has done is to look for the best alternative that offers a low pay back rate. The loan collectively matures at different times.
The opposition also accused the APC-led government of inflating cost of projects. How true is this?
Again, that is another wild allegation that cannot be substantiated. Ordinarily, we would not respond to this, but since they have continued to exhibit this high level ignorance, we would not stop edu­cating them on acceptable best practices which have been the hallmark of this administration. No two projects with the same design at two different states would ever attract the same price.
You cannot expect the construction of 1km of a road in the Niger Delta area to be the same price with what obtains in some parts of Northern Nigeria. Sim­ply because the terrain and topography are different. Lagos is one meter below sea level, and to construct; it requires more pilings than other states who are on higher grounds. And, come to think of it, all governments in Nigeria, includ­ing the federal government use a pool of the same contractor for their project execution. That argument is only fit for the beer parlour.
Governor Fashola’s tenure will come to an end in a couple of months, do you think your party is capable of recording victory at the polls, especially with the bickering within your party over his successor?
The APC still remains the party of choice for Lagosians. The reason for this is simple. We set the pace of gov­ernance for the remaining 35 states and the FG. Our financial stability was rated higher than the national.
Under our party, Lagos is the first and best in all indices. We contribute more to the GDP than any other state; we brought pride and dignity to the way Nigerians are seen in the wider world. Lagosians are very proud of this status, and would not exchange this for the failure these critiques in the PDP are known for.
We are united around the broom which is the symbol of our party.
You are aspiring to go to the House of Representatives, what informed this?
You will recollect that I contested for this position in 2011 but was advised to step down for the incumbent to run a second term.
The idea of a representative is one that is hinged on personal efforts and disposition to issues. I want to use my representation to address problems in my constituency, promote the general welfare, and ensure the development of the people and residents of Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 1.
Would you say the House of Reps has lived up to the expecta­tions of Nigerians?
Well, there is always room for im­provement. Whatever, gains or deficits that have been recorded, I believe there is still room for improvement. For me, I believe there are some issues that have national implications that were not properly handled by the House of Representatives. Equally, there are some things the House has done that are beneficial to the people. There is room for improvement.