In commemoration of his one year in office, the performing Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, embarked on an unprecedented marathon projects commissioning across the various Local Government Areas in the state.
The commissioning event,, which kick-started on Monday, May 16, 2016 in five local government areas includes the commissioning of various people – oriented projects such as roads, schools, jetty, markets and others, which are in fulfilment of the Governor’s electioneering promise to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
The Governor, who was represented by members of the state executive council simultaneously at the various commissioning venues, urged community leaders and residents of the state to jealously guard and take ownership of the infrastructure provided by the government in their domain as this will go a long way in elongating the kife-span of the facilities .
He assured that his administration will make local governments and local council development areas in the state very vibrant in delivering the dividends of democracy to various communities, and also support them in order to provide infrastructure for the people of the State.
Also, Governor Ambode assured residents that the 114 inner roads embarked upon by his administration in all the 57 councils would be completed by the end of June, 2016 as planned, adding that more projects would be embarked upon in all the communities across the state.
APAPA LOCAL GOVERNMENT
In Apapa Local Government, the Governor’s representative, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile- Yussuf, Commissioner for Youth, Spots and Social Development, commissioned nine (9) roads within the Apapa Business District, ultra-modern Liverpool Jetty, 12 blocks of Classrooms at Methodist Nursery and Primary School and 4 blocks of classrooms at Arakan Barracks Nursery and Primary School with standard facilities such as modern toilets, sick bay, furniture, ceiling fans, ramps to accommodate the physically challenged, among others.
She also commissioned several road projects which include the Marine Road, Bombay Crescent, Randle road, Ibikunle Akintoye street, Commercial Road, Burma Road, Plateau Road, Zeek Avenue, Marine Road Extension and Connector Road, otherwise known as Bombay Crescent, to Calcutta road Phase III. The roads were designed to accommodate walkways, street light and drainage system.
Mrs. Yussuf in here short address on behalf of the Governor, said the projects were in sync with Governor Ambode’s promise of running an all-inclusive government, where no area would be left behind.
Speaking on the projects at the event, the Ojora of Ijora, Oba Fatai Aromire, commended Governor Ambode while describing his remarkable feat within one year in office as an eloquent confirmation of the state’s progress.
His words, “As the paramount ruler of this domain, I will like to specially appreciate our amiable Governor for the projects he embarked upon in our area. We are indeed very happy and wish the Governor well in the leadership of the state.
Also, Vice Chairman of Apapa Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr. Saka Yussuf, said the projects commissioned were unprecedented in the history of the area, adding that the people were indeed happy with the leadership of the state.
AJEROMI-IFELODUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
At Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who represented the Governor, commissioned an ultra-Modern Court complex and a 360-meter interlocking road with drainage situated on Aduke street
Mr. Kazeem, while speaking on behalf of the Governor on the on-going construction of 114 inner roads across the 57 councils in the state, said the feat is unique in the history of the state, stating that the projects have provided employment for more than 9,000 citizens directly or indirectly within the year.
He added that counterpart funding of more than 60% has been committed by the state to secure speedy completion of the projects before the end of June, 2016.
BADAGRY LOCAL GOVERNMENT
At Badagry, the Governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank – Olemo, commissioned a block of 16 classrooms and another block of 8 classrooms, as well as 6 classrooms in Badagry West Local Council Development Area.
KOSOFE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The commissioning at Kosofe Local Government was done by the Governor’s representative, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo, Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations. The road projects commissioned in the area are located at Oladele, Shoyebi and Ademola Taiwo/Alamu Taiwo/Ogunsola streets.
ISOLO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
On Tuesday, May 17, 2016, the commissioning train moved to Isolo Local Council Development Area, where Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Folami, who represented Governor Ambode, commissioned the popular Okota Road.
He also commissioned the rehabilitated Ashamu Police Post in Ailegun, Ejigbo and handed it over to the police.
On the same day, the Governor inaugurated Okota road, Mosan-Ökunola Mini-Waterworks in Abesan and Iju Primary Healthcare Centre at Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area.
IFAKO-IJAIYE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The Governor also opened the renovated Oluwasijibomi and Folorunsho roads in Ifako-ljaiye.
He said the waterworks was part of government’s efforts to make life conducive for the people.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Housing, Mrs. Aramide Giwanson, Ambode said the mini-
waterworks has a capacity to meet the needs of residents of Abesan, Baruwa and neighbouring communities.
Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) Group Managing Director (GMD), Mumini Badmus, said: “The mini waterworks is borne out of the passion and commitment of the government to provide potable water for the people. Contracts were awarded for the construction of the waterworks to serve blighted areas of the state.”
“Contract for the construction of the mini-waterworks was awarded in May 2009 to Messrs Eldorado Nigeria Limited at a cost of N457,363,149.50 by the government. It has a five kilometre reticulation pipe networks. It is characterised by a huge volumetric head advantage, resulting from
gravitational fall of water from an overhead tank with a capacity for 50,000 gallons at a height of 18m.”
Badmus said the Ambode administration would achieve the daily production of 540 million gallons of water to meet the needs of the about 22 million population of the state, adding that presently, the state is producing 210 million gallons of water per day.
Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Samuel Babatunde Adejare, urged residents to ensure that the mini-waterworks is protected from vandals to prevent government’s huge investment from going down the drain.
Commissioner for Tourism, Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, who represented Ambode at Ifako-ljaiye, said community development was at the centre piece of the administration’s policy.
The Governor said: “We have initiated a reform of the local government system to create an enabling environment for the council to provide basic infrastructure for the people.”
Ambode administration had also initiated capacity building of the Community Development Associations (CDAs) for participatory project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation to ensure the sustainability of the projects and programmes within the vicinity.
OSHODI-ISOLO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The state, has employed 9,000 workers directly and indirectly between last year and now.
In Oshodi-lsolo Local Government Area, the Governor commissioned the popular Brown Street road.
The road was unmotorable until the government awarded the contract to Messrs Lubrik Construction Company Limited in October, 2015 to rehabilitate and upgrade it.
The 690 meter road has the potential of improving the standard of living in the area, enhancing property values, abating flooding, improving traffic flow, and ensuring shorter travel time for road users.
SOMOLU LOCAL GOVERNMENT
On Thursday, May 19, 2016, the commissioning exercise continued at Somolu Local Government as Governor Ambode, represented by his Special Adviser on Arts and Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, commissioned a Primary Health Care Centre at Anifowose Street, Somolu; a 400 meters Baptist Church Street, Bariga, and also laid the foundation for the construction of 111 Bed-space hostel at Akoka.
IKORODU LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Meanwhile, on Monday May 16, the Governor commissioned three projects in Ikorodu, which include the Ayangbure/ Sabo ultra-modern Market, Obafemi Awolowo Road, Ota-Ona, and a block of classrooms at Agbede Community Grammar School, Odogunyan, prior to marking his administration’s one year in office.
While addressing the people of Ikorodu during the commissioning of the new Obafemi Awolowo Road, Ota-Ona – a long dual carriage road that links Ijede road, Governor Ambode revealed that he was very happy to commission various projects in Ikorodu in commemoration of his one year in office. He stated that the projects were the ones carried out by both the state and local government in the last one year.
According to him, the projects were in line with his promises to Lagosians: “I will run a government of inclusion that will leave no one behind. Our government has worked to promote active collaboration amongst all tiers of government, with the community development as the centre piece,” Governor Ambode stated.
The Governor, who was represented at the event by the state Commissioner for the Environment, Hon. (Dr). Babatunde Adejare, stated that, “We have initiated and reformed local government to provide basic infrastructure for the people, with the active involvement of the communities.
We have also initiated capacity building of the Community Development Associations (CDAs), for participating in projects planning, implementation, monitoring and devaluation, towards ensuring the sustainability of the projects within their vicinity.
We also supported the local government and Local Councils to select and construct one hundred and fourteen (114) modern standard roads, two in each of the fifty seven (57) local government and local council development areas, with street light, walkways and covered-drainages.”
Governor Ambode stressed that with the 114 road projects, more than nine thousand (9,000) citizens, directly or indirectly, got jobs within the year. He said one of the road at Ikorodu North LCDA was at over 60% completion and in another two months, all the road projects should have been completed. He revealed that apart from road projects, his administration had also embarked on primary health care for citizens, construction of drainages, provision of Libraries, market development, among others.
He also pointed out that the projects being commissioned on that fateful day were part of the many projects undertaken within the last one year by the revitalized local government system, despite the declining resources from the federal government account. He appealed to the people of Ikorodu, who are the beneficiaries of the projects to be law abiding and take ownership of the infrastructure provided for them by the government.
After the Governor had expressed appreciation to all the executive secretaries; council officials; community leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Ikorodu division for their support and dedication to the service of all Lagosians, he called for more supports for his administration. “I urge you to keep supporting the APC at all levels, especially at the local government level, because under this administration, the Local Government will be vibrant and deliver very well to their communities. This is the change you voted for. We will be improving the welfare of Lagosians. I urge you to pay your taxes and contribute your quota in ensuring good governance,” he concluded.
The vote of thanks was later rendered by the majority leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. SOB Agunbiade. The Obafemi Awolowo road was commissioned thereafter by the governor and the commemorative plaque on the road at Ota-Ona junction was also unveiled..
Before the commissioning of the road project, the representative of the Governor, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, had first commissioned Agbede Community Grammar School, Odogunyan in Ikorodu North LCDA and Ayangbure/Sabo Market in Ikorodu LGA, respectively, and unveiled various commemorative plaques on the two laudable projects.
At Sabo market, Oriwu Sun spoke with Iyaloja General of Ikorodu division, Alhaja Taofeekat Allison, who double as the Iyaloja of the market during the short interview, she commended both the state government and Ikorodu Local Government for rehabilitating the old structures in the market to ultra-modern shopping complex. She also praised the efforts of HRM, Oba (Engr) Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, on the success story of the market. She thanked the contractors that handled the projects for doing a great job. Alhaja Allison later pledged more supports for the governments.
Dignitaries at the event included, the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. S.O.B. Agunbiade; the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, HRM, Oba (Engr.) Kabiru Adewale Shotobi (Adegorushen V); Chief Imam, Ikorodu Central Mosque, Sheikh Seifudeen Olowooribi; Chief Imam, Oriwu Central Mosque, Sheikh Yahya Oshoala (As-Samadaani); former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; Hon. Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. (Prince) Rotimi Ogunleye; APC Party Chieftain, Alhaji Musiliu Animashaun; Executive Secretaries of Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in Ikorodu division; HRM, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, Olubeshe of Ibeshe land; APC party leaders and party faithfuls, among others.
