The Lagos State Government has called for collective efforts to bridge the communication gap between the government and the people.
Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, made the appeal during a one-day sensitisation forum organised by the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement.
Hamzat said many citizens remain unaware of key programmes and policies, preventing them from benefiting fully and limiting the government’s ability to receive proper feedback and assessment.
The Deputy Governor, who spoke virtually at the forum themed “Sensitisation on Volunteerism: The Power of Community in Action. Say what you need, Say what you want, Lagos State is Listening”, stressed the need for improved communication and feedback mechanisms, assuring citizens that government is committed to delivering on its mandate.
“We have realised that a lot of what we do is not known by the people, and this is a serious communication challenge; hence, everyone here today is critical in giving us honest feedback. We want to know what we are doing well and where we are falling short,” Hamzat said.
He noted that the state currently operates 26 General Hospitals and 376 Primary Health Centres, with new facilities such as the Iba-Ojo General Hospital under construction, and expansions ongoing at Massey Hospital.
“But how many citizens are aware of this? We must do better at telling our story so our people can benefit from these services,” he added.
Hamzat disclosed that over 7.8 million Lagos residents accessed healthcare through state hospitals in the past year despite challenges of unpredictable patient inflow and infrastructure limitations.
For his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Afolabi Tajudeen, stressed that citizen participation remains a critical pillar of democracy.
“Today marks the beginning of a renewed partnership in volunteerism. We see the citizens as partners in progress. We want you to be our eyes and ears to take governance to the grassroots level. Therefore, this will be a continuous programme. We want to assure you that whatever the people want when you speak, we are ready to listen,” he said.
He urged Lagos indigenes and residents to embrace the CitizensGate Platform, which enables residents to lodge complaints, offer suggestions, and track government responses, calling for a shift from criticism to constructive engagement and collaboration.
The Permanent Secretary of the Office, Sholabomi Shasore, said the forum marked a new beginning and an important step in building a Lagos where citizens are informed, engaged, and empowered to contribute meaningfully to governance.
PIAK