This is the working Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode whose confidence and performance are growing with each passing day. Though not garrulous (talkative) nor controversial, he is boldly (courageously) handling the challenges of governance in a mega city state. In this attire which resembles his mentor’s outfit (Asiwaju Tinubu), his charisma is on the rise as he spoke to Lagosians in Badagry recently during the last edition of his town hall meeting.
Who say Ambode has not gained in stature, followership and achievements?
On Tuesday, July 19, 2016, Governor Ambode got another applause from Lagosians when he decided not only to hold the second quarter Town Hall Meeting at Badagry but also chose to stay for two more days to hold the State Executive meeting (EXCO) with his cabinet.
This tendency was the first in the history of Lagos State and he still went on to cap it up with another two days to inspect projects along that axis in Badagry division.
As early as 8.00am, the road leading to Badagry town was very busy as Lagosians from all the sections of the division trooped out to hear the stewardship account of the Governor, where he would announce his achievements in the last quarter.
The massive crowd at the event was unprecedented as the sessions were divided into two. Inside a large canopy, more than two thousand important dignitaries were enveloped with tight security by security men, who screened them before they could enter.
Another more than two thousand people were accommodated under a large canopy outside the venue. Governor Ambode, who was very security conscious, provided massive security comprising Airforce, Navy, LASTMA, FRSC, Task Force, NDLEA and Nigerian Prisons, among others.
Among other security gadgets and equipments, arms screening machines were provided to screen every guest. In his usual style, Ambode entered the hall by 10:00a.m prompt and moved straight to greet the important dignitaries.
After the National Anthem, he went straight to the business of the day.
Governor Ambode, who was in Blue Agbada dress with a cap to match, he told the audience that the state government had spent over N115.624 billion on capital projects.
He also told them that his government had deliberately improved its budget performance, which he put at sixty three (63) percent in the second half of the year. The Governor, always happy and delighted any time he is meeting his people, like he did in Ikorodu local government, said boldly that despite economic challenges in the country, he had executed a number of social projects.
According to him, those projects would have impact across all sectors of the state. Badagry Town Hall meeting was organized in a special manner, where Governor Ambode met with all the groups in four different sessions, as against the previous meetings, where he met with all the groups at once. The format not only afforded the Governor the opportunity to interact with many groups, it also served as a platform that provided instantaneous answers to pressing needs by Lagosians.
Reeling off his achievements in the last quarter, Governor Ambode revealed that his administration is committed to make life comfortable for the people, saying his administration had procured and donated additional equipment to security agencies. Such agencies included the Nigerian Police Force, Customs, Immigration Services, the Army, Air Force, Navy, Directorate of state Security (BSS), AIG Zone 2, Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Lagos State Task Force and the Nigeria Prison Services.
He said the government also inaugurated the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) Rescue Unit facility with a specially designed dispatch centre to respond to emergency cases.
On infrastructure, Governor Ambode recalled that within the quarter under review, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of the 38km Fourth Mainland Bridge was signed and it’s expected that the bridge, which will connect Ikorodu with Ajah, will be executed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement and would be delivered within the next three years.
Ambode said: “The Iyana-Oworo Bus Park project embarked upon by our administration to decongest traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge is nearing completion.”
“Work has commenced on the modern Oshodi Interchange in line with our vision to transform Oshodi into a world-class transport hub. Several road projects were completed in the last quarter while others are at various stages of completion.”
“Significant among the projects include Ajara/ Agelasho/Poka/Erekiti Road in Badagry Local Government Area, construction of Aradagun- Iworo Ajido Phase I Bridge in Badagry Local Government Area, the construction of flyover at Ajah roundabout along the Lekki Expressway and Abule- Egba Junction along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and construction of pedestrian bridge at Ojodu-Berger.”
The Governor also said the Oko-Oba Housing Scheme, comprising a total of 108 units located on a land area of 15, 785.632 square, meter was completed and offered for sale, while the government has also commenced the process of completing the Ibereko Housing project in Badagry.
On job creation, the Governor said government has signed a MoU for the Lagos Smart City with the operators of the Dubai Smart City, while the agreement is expected to bring multi-billion dollar investments to the state, create employment opportunities and transform the Ibeju-Lekki axis and the entire Lagos State.
He also revealed that another MoU was signed for the Lagos State Medical Park, adding that the initiative would bring more investment which, in turn, will create jobs and make Lagos a destination for medical tourism.
In the area of social welfare and rule of law, the Governor said in line with provisions of Section 12 of the Special People’s Law, his administration launched the Lagos State Persons Living with Disability Fund with N500 million.
He further said that in response to the disturbing menace of land grabbing, his administration set up a Special Task Force to curb the excesses of land grabbers under the office of the Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice. He also said government is committed to its zero- tolerance for issues relating to domestic violence and child abuse.
He said his administration has concluded plans to revamp the health sector. To achieve this, he said, the sum of N10 billion has been earmarked to upgrade health facilities across the state.
Governor Ambode assured that government would invest massively in capacity building of the medical staff, in a bid to provide world-class health care for the citizens.
“We have commenced action on the rehabilitation and upgrading of facilities in all our hospitals. Modern equipment will be procured to facilitate treatment and we will invest in capacity building of our medical staff. We intend to spend over N10 billion on our hospitals before December this year.
“We will recruit and train medical professionals in areas of rare specialisation and special needs,”
Ambode said.
On 2016 Budget, Governor Ambode said its overall performance stood at 70 per cent, which according to him, was an improvement over last year’s when the performance stood at 63 per cent.
He said: “Revenue recorded 73% performance for the half-year 2016 despite the challenging economic environment. Your Government sector to support and collaborate with government on this cause, “he said.
While responding to some questions on neglect of the years, the Governor revealed his plans
his to revive the tourism potential of Badagry, saying the long-term plan includes the establishment of university of hospitality in the ancient town.
He also said his administration would build the economy of the state beyond oil, adding that “the future of Lagos is about tourism and services.”
The governor said aside the N500 million disability funds which aimed at advancing the cause of persons living with disabilities, his administration would decentralise the Lagos State Office of Disability (LASODA) and absolve 200 physically-challenged persons to manage their affairs in all the local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs).
“I implore you to take ownership of all government properties located in your area because they are our common wealth. Remember to pay your taxes as and when due in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.
“On our part, we will continue to ensure judicious use of re- sources of the state by executing projects that will outlive us and affirm our position as a Centre of Excellence,” Governor Ambode said.
The town hall meeting, which had previously held in Iyana-Ipaja (Lagos West), City Hall (Lagos Central), and Ikorodu (Lagos East), took place at the Muslim Community Praying Ground in Badagry, where the Governor, for the first time in the history of the meeting, spent more than four hours interacting with various groups and individuals, including corporate organisations, religious leaders, youths, physically challenged, market men and women, non- governmental organisations NGOs), political leaders and the general public.
