Lagos City’s Poor Rating by the Economist
I have spent quality time reading the 2017 Liveable Cities report of the London Economist magazine. My dear Lagos city was ranked 139 out of 140 cities evaluated by the Economist’s Intelligence Unit and remained second, behind Damascus on the annual report by the Economist. This was the same horrific position it occupied last year. The survey, released on Wednesday, scores cities on five broad categories: stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, culture and environment. Even conflict-torn cities like Tripoli were ranked higher than Lagos city. Facilities in public health and education institutions in the city of Lagos and its suburbs are still deplorable. This is the truth that must be told to encourage Governor Ambode to raise his game. Just visit a public school or health institution around you and you will understand what I am saying. What about the frightening heaps of refuse in Lagos city and its suburbs? What about its epileptic public water supply? The level of crime in this city is also horrendous. Inner roads are in tatters. Those querying the Economist’s report on Lagos city should continue in their delusion. Members of Ambode’s band will tell us that he is doing his best to tackle this rot. Well, he has to do more for Lagos city to join enviable cities like Melbourne with quality infrastructure. The Australian city was ranked number one out of 140 cities evaluated, slightly ahead of the Austrian capital Vienna, with the Canadian trio of Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary completing the top five. These are the great cities Lagos city must strive to emulate. My dear Ambode, decaying infrastructure and rising crime are indeed eroding living conditions in Lagos city and its suburbs.