The Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) has issued a stern warning to its registration agents, emphasizing that the registration process is entirely free for residents. The agency's General Manager, Bilikis Adebiyi-Abiola, made this declaration during a community sensitization event held in Ajah, Lagos, on Thursday.

Adebiyi-Abiola stressed that any agent found collecting fees from residents would face strict consequences, as the agency adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding such practices. She urged residents to report any instances of agents demanding payment, reinforcing that the service is funded by the Lagos State Government and incurs no costs to the public. "We have a zero-tolerance policy for any agent who is collecting money because LASRRA is absolutely free," she stated, highlighting the presence of signs in registration stations that reiterate this message.

To improve accessibility, LASRRA has ramped up its community-based registration initiatives. Instead of solely relying on residents to visit registration offices, agency officials are actively visiting local communities, schools, and vaccination clinics to facilitate the registration process. Adebiyi-Abiola noted that registration is essential from birth, and the agency has upgraded its software and devices to enable the registration of newborns without direct handling.

Currently, LASRRA has approximately seven million residents in its database, but the agency is working on several initiatives to increase this number. Collaborations with the Office of Education Quality Assurance are underway to extend registration to private schools, while registration remains mandatory for pupils in public schools. The agency is also focusing on markets and workplaces, addressing the low registration rates attributed to residents’ busy lifestyles and lack of awareness.

Adebiyi-Abiola emphasized the importance of LASRRA identification for accessing various government services and programs. As part of its outreach efforts, the agency has allocated 50 slots at the ongoing Lagos State Trade Fair for registered residents, showcasing the benefits of being part of the residents’ database.

In support of LASRRA's initiatives, Oba Kolawole Olumegbon, the monarch of Okun Ajah Kingdom, praised the agency for its community engagement efforts. He noted that the registration process has significantly improved infrastructure development in the area, as it provides the government with valuable data for planning social amenities. "There is a tremendous improvement, especially when it comes to infrastructural development that has happened in this axis," he remarked, attributing this progress to the number of residents registered through LASRRA.

Olumegbon further highlighted that the essence of the registration is to enable the government to understand and meet the welfare needs of its citizens. He encouraged residents who have not yet registered to do so and urged those already registered to inform others about the benefits of the exercise, including the ability to register newborns. "If you have registered, you need to tell people who have not registered that there is immense benefit in registering with LASRRA," he concluded.