Fatshimetrie, a renowned magazine, recently published a revealing article on Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s position on the minimum wage in Lagos. According to him, the recent increase to N85,000 announced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is far from realistic, suggesting instead a minimum of N100,000 for workers in the area.
In his argument, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour highlights the specific challenges related to the cost of living in Lagos. He points out that the city has the highest intra-city public transport costs in Nigeria, is the second most expensive city in the country to eat in and has the highest rental costs, while pointing to the critical lack of investment in social housing schemes.
He also calls on the governor to pay close attention to the needs of Lagosians. Despite ever-increasing budgets, he points out that this does not necessarily translate into improved living conditions for residents. He highlights the fact that over 70% of Lagos State’s operating revenue comes from taxes, with Payroll Income Tax (PAYE) alone accounting for 45%, thus highlighting that the state’s wealth is mainly generated by the hard work of its citizens.
The author points out the glaring lack of tangible returns to Lagosians in return for this substantial contribution. He questions the quality of public education, the accessibility and efficiency of the public transport system, the state of the roads, the availability of social housing and the ease of access to finance for entrepreneurship.
In conclusion, the former Lagos State Labour Party candidate stresses that while it is positive to celebrate the opening of the Blue Rail, even after 16 years, it is crucial to reflect on the city we are building. It raises critical questions about the direction of development efforts, highlighting the need to build a city for all, while highlighting the opportunities that lie ahead.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s speech transcends local boundaries, inviting deep reflection on the vision and priorities for urban development. His remarks raise critical questions about equity, the quality of life of citizens, and building a truly inclusive society in Lagos.