Governor Ambode during the last town hall meeting at Surulere stadium,
again, for more than four hours demonstrated his resolve to provide dividends of democracy for the people of the state.
In the past, Ambode took the town hall meeting to Agege, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, Badagry and Lagos Central in Surulere to report back to the people his achievements in the last three months.
The town hall meeting since it started had taken the shape of each division trying to outshine the other going by the massive crowd that normally turn out at the occasion. The crowd at Surulere town hall meeting was unprecedented as it was as if the Surulere Constituency was determined to outshine Badagry, which also witnessed large turnout of people.
As early as 8.00am, party chieftains, captain of industries, market women, technicians, senators. House of Representative members including past and present party officials were at the stadium to listen to yet another achievements during the three hours programme.
The Governor, who was dressed in his impeccable suit was all smiles and feeling happy while addressing the fifth edition of his administration’s town hall meeting. Before delving into the main reason of his outing, he congratulated Chief Tajudeen Olusi, a party chieftain, who would be celebrating his 80th birthday in a few days time.
Ambode told his audience that he was elated to render his achievements for the second time in almost two years after the one held at the city hall. The governor while highlighting his commitment and dedication to serve, said that the last quarter delivery including massive road construction in all the local governments, which was the fulfillment of the one hundred and fourteen roads (114) promised during his election campaign.
This was a record breaking achievement, which has not been done by any Governor in Lagos State. When he promised to do the one hundred and fourteen roads (114) nobody believed him but today; it has become a reality.
The humble Governor did not commission the roads by himself neither did he name them after him. But he decided to name the roads after party members in the state while his commissioners, party members, Obas and community leaders commissioned the roads.
He said that already, he had concluded plans to award another one hundred and fourteen roads (114), which would be completed next year. He informed the audience that his commitment to reduce traffic grid-lock towards the end of Third-Mainland Bridge was yielding fruits. According to him, having worked on that portion, the travelling time was reduced with the construction of a bye-pass at Oworosonki and Ketu.
Then hear him, “It is my strong desire to further eliminate the pain of Lagosians, who travel on this axis by completing Ojodu/Berger project, which consist of a pedestrians’ route, lay-bye and sleep road.
“We had already reduced the accident rate on that axis and we are taking this innovation to other parts of the state including Aja and Lagos Central,” he stated.
The Governor was not done yet on road infrastructure as he expressed his determination to focus on the Lekki Express Way. In his words, “The three round-abouts on that axis – Jakande, Elegushi and VGC roundabouts would soon be replaced with signalized junctions, lay-byes and dedicated turning lanes, which would reduce traffic congestions on the road”
He said that his administration’s vision on tourist location is being created along Lagos West and East Senatorial Zone. The governor also said that Epe, Badagry and Marina reclamation projects are in view to provide appropriate infrastructure for tourist activities.
The happy Governor, who was all smiles talked about the development projects to change the face of Lagos and the new shelters at Tafawa Balewa Square. He promised his guests that before the end of this year, various projects would commence around National Museum, Tafawa Balewa Square and Freedom Park.
According to the Governor, by the time the projects are completed, a major tourist destination would emerge in West Africa. The passionate Ambode, who is interested in education launched a social library project, which would provide unlimited access to e-books, and other educational materials on key subjects like English, Mathematics, and Sciences on a range of devices like desktop computers to tablets and smart phones. He said that the project was on course and would soon be completed.
On the health sector, the Governor, who was happy to break new grounds, told the crowded audience to their delight that Lagos would be the first to build an Helipad in the state hospitals, where emergency cases would be flown by air ambulance directly on top of the hospital, thereby avoiding hold-up, which, most times, cause death.
He recalled that in the U.S, there are Helipads in many hospitals, especially the children hospitals for wounded soldiers in war and we now have one in LASUTH.
Talking about entrepreneurship, the Governor, who is a lover of the youths said that in the last quarters, four hundred and twenty two (422) students successfully participated in entrepreneurship and training programs organized by his administration.
The purpose, according to him, was to provide immediate staff employment for students from tertiary institutions in Lagos State and prepare them for economic productivity.
A first class chartered accountant, who is prudent in his spending said that as of today, his budget performance was sixty nine percent (69) against sixty five percent for the same period last year. He said that a total of N106.8billion had been spent on capital projects, which more than doubled the amount of N53.6 billion spent for last year.
Ambode then promised that in the next quarter, his government would concentrate on capital projects and put money in the hands of local contractors, which would stimulate the economy.
The financial guru said that he has made immediate payment to contractors in the health and education sectors, among others. He promised to transform Yaba bus park by providing modern bus shelters as he had done in Tafawa Balewa Square and completed road rehabilitation at Adetola street, Brown Road, Aguda Surulere as well as Oladiran/Abeni street in Yaba.
Ambode also told elated youths that in a couple of weeks, he would make them happy because he would roll out empowerment programmes to assist the youths and the poor when the five hundred million Naira (N500 million) fund allocated to people with disability has rightly been captured and that between now and December, they would get the impact of what they are doing.
He did not fail to appreciate the support of the people when he said, “A lot of work needs to be done and our government is undaunted. We are more than ever before committed to the prosperity of the state.
“Our guiding principle is to always channel our resources to areas or sectors for the general well-being of the people. Let me thank you all for your perseverance and solid support for our administration despite harsh economic condition that confronts us,” he stated.
While concluding his report, the servant leader, reiterated his more commitment and dedication to public service saying: “We are the hope of today and the prosperity of tomorrow. On my part, I remain committed to my electoral promises to make life more abundant and help Lagosians live a fulfilled life.
“I ask for your continued support and cooperation while urging you to pay your taxes and obey the laws of the land. Make the issue of security of your environment and the state a matter of priority. I believe strongly that together the state would be prosperous not only in this generation but also ahead.”
During the question and answer session concerning security, the Governor explained that plans were on to recruit at least five thousand (5,000) Neighbourhood watchers. According to him, the Neighbourhood Safety Bill, which he signed into law on August 15, 2016, was part of his efforts to institutionalize and deepen community policing saying: “We would rebrand neighbourhood Watchers and re-equip them to the level that each neighbourhod Watchers in all the LGAs would have their vehicles and necessary equipment to complement security.
“We are also working on employing additional five thousand neighbourhood watchers in all our LGAs and they would be paid by us while the basic salary for the entrance level is N25,000 per month excluding allowances,” he stated.
Oba Akiolu threw a bomb shell when the microphone was handed over to him. He spoke on the special status for Lagos State. He accused the former President Olusegun Obasanjo of being responsible for Lagos not being granted a special status. The monarch said that Obasanjo had the opportunity to grant Lagos special status during his eight years of tenure, but never did it inspite of the pressure mounted on him.
According to him, when a delegation of eminent Lagosians, led by him (Akiolu) met with the former president on the issues, he told them that he had already drafted the special status plan for Lagos.
Oba Akiolu said that if Obasanjo had fulfilled that promise, the issue of the National Assembly turning down Senator Tinubu’s bill would not have arisen. In his words, “Yar’Adua had promised to grant Lagos a special status. If he had not died, it would have happened by now,” he said.
The Oba of Lagos, however, said that it was a matter of time as Lagos would certainly be accorded a special status. He is worried over the state of kidnapping in Lagos despite the efforts of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to provide security. Akinolu then called for the establishment of a local government security committee to work with the police to tackle kidnapping. The Governor, however, assured residents that better days are ahead.
An APC chieftain, Chief Tajudeen Olusi while speaking advised that they should be careful in seeking a special status for Lagos. He said that a special status should not be an excuse for the national assembly or federal government to unnecessarily interfere in the affairs of the state.
There were also questions from several people including Chief (Mrs.) Bewaji Kuku, Hon. Jide Jimoh, among others.
Their questions bothered on youth empowerment, security Trust Fund, flood in Lagos, renovation of schools, contract and contractors, among others. The Governor answered the question on empowerment by promising to recruit five thousand neighbourhood watchers. The Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule; Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare and permanent secretary, Ministry of works and infrastruction answered the rest of the questions.
She said that in the next few weeks, the contractors would start work on a project in a school in Iganmu and the LA Primary School, Agbowa in response to the questions asked concerning them. She said that the L.A. Primary School would soon be visited to ascertain what should be done.
The deputy governor also revealed that a total of N10billion had been released by the government to boost the education sector in the state.
Hon Desmond Elliots, a member representing Surulere Constituency 1 brought the town hall meeting to a close.
Dignitaries at the event included, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Senator Gbenga Ashafa represented by Chief Banire Lamiu; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Prince Abioun Ogunleye; Chief Olorunfunmi Basorun; Bishop (Dr.) Yemi Fotade (JP) and Otunba Femi Pedro.
Others were, members of the State Executive Council, body of permanent secretaries, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, religious leaders, traditional rulers and chiefs, youth groups, markets men and women, sole administrators, among others.
