[img]http://republic-of-babatunde-raji-fashola..co.uk/2009/05/few-good-man-babatunde-raji-fashola_06.html?m=1[/img] After sprinting off from the starting block in 2007, Governor Fashola has settled to a measured pace in his second term as he projects and ponders the place of Lagos in the long term future. Most Lagosians with the noticeable exception of the political opposition are, however, not complaining.

Some have called him the Actualiser. Still, others have hailed him as the Brighter, Rewarding Future, BRF, after his acronym. Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State in his first term was a godsend to Lagosians from his political godfather and political benefactor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

In the first four years he moved with a speed that evinced the fact that Lagos could in fact be made to work.
At the point of deciding for a second term he was almost certainly a shoo-in for the office given the spectacular performance of the first term.
However, the jury is still out there if Fashola has kept pace with the first term. But the governor is certainly not in doubt as concerning his mission, looking beyond temporary assessments to the future.

"We are already looking beyond 2015. We are planning to see how Lagos can comfortably become home to 40 million people, and support it efficiently," he declared recently revealing the administration was already projecting towards what Lagos would be in twenty years time.

[b] The second term has mostly been focused at complementing already initiated projects across the state. These developments include the emerging light rail project, Eko Atlantic City project, greening and beautification of Lagos, the Lagos - Badagry ten lane road expansion project, the Lekki-Ikoyi link Bridge, among others.

The Fashola administration is also focusing on environmental renewal with an eye on over 500 massive de-flooding projects involving dredging, desilting and maintenance of primary and secondary collectors.
Towards revitalizing critical access roads, the Fashola administration has committed significant public resources to improving and expanding them to a level where they can effectively support the Lagos megacity status.

Over 312 road projects are also being undertaken across all council areas. Other major efforts include: completion of the alternative route to Toll plaza II, completion of Egbe-Liasu Road Phase I, on-going upgrading of Ozunmba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island.
Also ongoing in the first half of the second term is the construction of the six-lane Mile 12-Ikorodu Expressway with Bus Rapid Transit, BRT lanes. [/b]

One of the striking points in the second term was the enactment of the Lagos state 2012, Road Traffic law, which in part, restricts activities of commercial motorcyclists from some major highways and bridges in the state. Fashola signed the bill into law on August 2, 2012.

It provoked a violent reaction from operators and stakeholders who condemned the act in its entirety. Not only throwing operators into the job market, it has also made life more tasking for pedestrians.
The administration was also flayed for the demolition of Ijora - Badia slum, causing the displacement of over 20,000 residents. In the place of the demolished shanties is a proposal for a housing complex to have 1008 housing units.

The chairman of the Lagos state chapter of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Capt Tunji Shelle, rtd, however, asserts that Fashola has failed to live to promise.
"He performed fairly in the first four years fixing the rots his predecessor, Tinubu left for eight years. That's why people felt he was doing great work. His administration is selective in project implementation so many areas are still left untouched."

"In the area of transportation he has failed as there is always gridlock on Lagos roads. The light rail is already causing confusion and there should be effective water transportation, but there is none. What they did is to buy a yacht in the name of Sunborn for several billions of naira, they celebrated it as if it was their project but later denied any involvement, only God knows what they have done with the boat but they have to be accountable for the cost spent."

"They tolled the Lekki - Epe expressway, houses were demolished with a lot of people displaced without providing alternatives, and there is multiple taxation. They have the highest debt profile in the country and the rich are getting richer."

The PDP chairman's assertion were, however, dismissed by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN state publicity secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe. "The greatest achievement Fashola has recorded in two years into his second term in office is firm and intelligent consolidation of the progress made in the last 14 years of our renascent democracy."

"Since he came to power in 2007 he has through dint of hard-work made Lagos a powerful destination not only in Nigeria but in Africa. The economy of Lagos has grown to surpass the economy of some countries like Ghana, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire and some other African countries."

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