Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday, December 7, 2017, electrified community dwellers with the promise to implement more projects and policies to make life comfortable for residents and investors. He made this promise at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, during the grand finale of 2017 Community Day with the theme, “Community Affinity: Lagos Communities with Private Sector”.
The Governor, who at the event was endorsed for second term, said in his address that though, a lot had been done through implementation of various projects and initiatives by his government across the communities, a lot more would be done to truly transform and secure the future of the state. He urged the people to continue to support the State Government and be faithful to their civic obligations, adding that the government in turn would reciprocate by implementing various projects across the state.
According to him, 2018 is going to be a better year for Lagos as the State Government hopes to achieve phenomenal increase in the state’s ability to sustain itself by persuading more people to contribute to the transformation going on across the state.
Governor Ambode stated that the people are witnesses to the modest projects, which his administration has executed but are yet to see several other ones being proposed. “You are all witnesses to the modest projects our administration has executed such as the reconstruction of Airport Road, Light up Lagos, the Abule Egba and Ajah bridges the ongoing Agege flyover, waterways channelization and construction of jetties, the Ikeja Bus Terminal and massive deployment of security personnel and equipment across the state. What you have not seen, but which is on the way, is the implementation of the embedded power project, which will bring electricity to every home in Lagos. You have also not seen the reforms, which we are going to execute in the transport sector that will ease connectivity across the state.”
The Governor stated that with the support of the people through the performance of their obligations, his administration can safely commit itself in the conviction that by the end of 2018, communities across the state would be better, with more youths gainfully employed and small businesses growing, adding that with a home to return to and a community to live in, his government’s dream of a more secure and prosperous state would be another Nigerian wonder. And while emphasizing the importance of the Community Day Celebration, Governor Ambode said community development was at the heart of the policies of his administration and a key consideration in every government decision.
His words, “It captures the vision and mission of our administration to continually work for the general good of the people. At inception, we declared clearly our commitment to give governance to the citizens of this state, young and old, men and women, able and challenged. We said in our manifesto that from wherever you come from, as far as you labour and add value to the productivity of our dynamic and vibrant state, our government shall work with you to make Lagos State a better, livable and more prosperous home. Two and half years after we signed that contract with you, we can confidently reflect on our policies, programmes and projects and assert that we have been very honest in our mission.”
He also commended the Community Development Associations (CDAs) for their various self-help initiatives aimed at developing their neighborhood and urged them to continue on the path. The Chairman of Lagos State Community Development Advisory Committee, the umbrella body for all the 3,900 CDAs in the state, Alhaji Tajudeen, in his good will message, said having reviewed the activities of Governor Ambode since assuming office, the body has decided to support him for a second term.
“Having reviewed the activities and lofty accomplishments of our silent achiever in the area of equitable distribution of road infrastructures, health, education, security, emergency response, welfare, especially with the consideration for people living with disabilities, among others, we have unanimously resolved to support this administration for a second term to consolidate on the gains of the last 30 months in our march towards a megalopolis of our dream.”
At the event, Governor Ambode presented three vehicles to the best CDAs, which performed creditably well in executing projects at their neighborhoods to complement government, while he also increased the prize of the community development competition to six vehicles next year. He also approved immediate support fund of N500,000 each to all the 57 Community Development Committees (CDCs) in the state totaling N28.5 million.
Meanwhile, Ikorodu division continued with its tradition of excellence as the Covenant Phase1 Community Development Association (CDA) from Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA) emerged the best CDA in Lagos State for 2017