Seme Border, August 31, 2024 — The lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Sesi Whingah, has assured his constituents that Nigeria's borders will soon be reopened for commercial activities. This announcement comes as part of the "current administration's" efforts under President Bola Tinubu to stimulate economic growth and internal revenue generation.
Speaking at a Badagry Stakeholders and Youth Engagement event on Saturday, organized by his office, Whingah emphasized the government's commitment to reopening borders as a strategic move to enhance economic activities. "The current administration will soon open borders for commercial activities; I know it is affecting us and our incomes. I know what my constituents are going through," he said.
The engagement, themed "Charting A Prosperous Future for Badagry: Unlocking Potential, Empowering People, and Accelerating Progress," was a platform for discussing the future of Badagry and addressing community challenges. Mr. Whingah highlighted several issues affecting the region, including the electrification of some Badagry communities. He assured attendees that staff from the Rural Electrification Agency would address these concerns in the coming days.
Whingah also criticized the multiple checkpoints along the Lagos-Badagry expressway, which he argued are hindering development. "No development would come to Badagry because of multiple checkpoints along the Lagos Badagry expressway. I have spoken against these checkpoints on the floor of the House," he noted, advocating for the use of technology such as drones for security monitoring instead.
Highlighting his achievements in office, Whingah mentioned that he had secured employment for 30 youths in Federal agencies and is working to bring 40 more pensionable jobs for deserving youths in Badagry. He also noted that the National Identification Number (NIN) registration center in Badagry has registered over 70,000 individuals, ensuring their inclusion in the national database.
In his keynote address, Professor Henry Hunjo of Lagos State University praised Whingah's efforts and stressed the need to address Badagry’s pressing challenges, including environmental issues and infrastructural deficits. Meanwhile, other panelists, including Mr. Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Mr. Gbenu Mathew, a political commentator, called for a collaborative approach to unlocking Badagry's potential and solving community problems.
Dr. Busola Odedina, the sole female panellist, called for greater inclusion of women in leadership roles within the community, underscoring the importance of gender equity in driving Badagry’s progress.
Mr. Bisiriyu Fanu, a former Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents at Seme Border, urged the government to reintroduce the importation of fairly used vehicles through the land border. He highlighted the adverse effects of the current policy on the local population, noting that some residents had suffered significantly due to restrictions.
The event concluded with Mr. Whingah awarding cash prizes, laptops, and other gifts to individuals recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Badagry community. He also announced an upcoming ICT program, the "Badagry Tech Talents 1,000 Programme," aimed at training and empowering 1,000 youths in the area, further solidifying his commitment to fostering growth and development in Badagry.
This engagement highlights the government's ongoing efforts to improve economic activities and address community issues, reinforcing the importance of collaborative governance for sustainable development in Badagry.
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