SECOND QUARTERLY TOWN HALL MEETING
ADDRESS PRESENTED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MR AKINWUNMI AMBODE, GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE, ON THE OCCASSION OF THE SECOND QUARTERLY TOWN HALL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY JANUARY 19, 2016 AT LAGOS CITY HALL, LAGOS ISLAND.
PROTOCOL
Today’s event is the second in the series of my administration’s quarterly interaction with Lagosians to render account of my stewardship as your elected Governor. This initiative of our government commenced with our people in the Lagos West Senatorial District on October 6, 2015 at Abesan.
We are in the Central Senatorial Zone, particularly in the City Hall, which is of historic importance to us.
At the First Town Hall meeting, I defined the strategic vision of our Administration which is to make Lagos a globally competitive City-State, a Lagos that works for all. I also stated that the first quarter was used to lay down the institutional framework and foundation on which the vision and programmes of this government will be built.
Ladies and Gentlemen, since the last Town Hall Meeting, we have sworn in Commissioners and Special Advisers who have joined the Cabinet to steer the ship of our State. Together we have embarked on some landmark projects as well as taken some giant strides to reassure the citizenry of our commitment to deliver a Lagos that is safe, secure and prosperous.
LAST QUARTER REPORT (OCT 2015 – DEC 2015)
Our overall policy thrust remains the same. A Tripod of Security, Infrastructural Development and Job Creation. A safer Lagos will attract more investments from local and foreign interests which will in turn create more job opportunities for our people thereby generating more taxes and revenues for the government to improve on the infrastructure in various sectors.
SECURITY
In the last quarter we invested massively to reenergize and reinvigorate the State security infrastructure to bring it to a level comparable to what obtains in other modern City States.
I am happy to report that our State is a lot safer today as statistics show that crime rate reduced by 65% during the last quarter compared to Year 2014.
LIGHT UP LAGOS PROJECT
Crime thrives best in darkness. In response to this we initiated the “Light up Lagos” project to light up our major roads, highways and inner roads. In December 2015, we set up an Advisory Committee
…/ on Power chaired
on Power chaired by the Deputy Governor to work to fulfil our promise of lighting up every nook and cranny of the State.
In the past few months, we have fixed street lights from Berger in Ojodu to Lekki, Ikorodu to Lagos Island, the entire Ikeja axis, Victoria Island and Ikoyi. We are taking this project to every part of the State. If we are not yet in your neighbourhood, give us a little time; we will soon be there. As we light up the State, we expect crime to reduce as criminals will have nowhere to hide and operate.
I call on individuals and corporate bodies to join our “Light Up Lagos” project by adopting a street and lighting it up either by connecting it to your meter or your generator. In return, these individuals and institutions will receive special concessions on Land Use Charge and commendation from the State and Local Governments.
In the last quarter of 2015, our government donated 49 transformers to communities that had been in total darkness for Five years. In addition, electricity has now been restored to 63 Communities starting from Eleko to Ode-Omi in Ibeju Lekki Local Government.
We also commissioned the 33kva Electrical Sub-Station in Gberigbe Community, Ikorodu. This is expected to improve the electricity situation in that axis.
INFRASTRUCTURAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
ROADS
As part of our efforts to improve road infrastructure, in the last quarter we embarked on massive reconstruction and rehabilitation of major roads and inner roads across the metropolis.
I am delighted to inform you that over 300 major road projects have been rehabilitated. 66 major road projects are at various stages of completion while 80 road grading and surface dressing projects will soon be completed in all the LGs & LCDAs of the State. These roads include:
- Afa Nla Road, Agege
- CIPM Road, Alausa
- Ijegun-Ikotun Road
- Mba Street, Ajegunle
- 1st and 2nd Avenue, Festac Town
- Afolabi Ege Street, Ojo
- Thomson Road, Ikoyi
- 2nd Avenue, Ikoyi
- Queens Drive, Ikoyi
- Ebutte Ero Road, Lagos Island and
- Akin Adeshola Road, Victoria Island
In addition to this, the construction of two roads in each of the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Government Development Areas in the State was flagged off last week. A total of 114 roads will be delivered through this intervention in the next six months at a cost of N17.5b.
Work has commenced on the construction of fly-overs in two of the State’s high traffic zones – Ajah roundabout in the Central Senatorial Zone and Abule – Egba Junction in the West Senatorial Zone.
TRANSPORTATION
This administration introduced 434 brand new Bus Rapid Transit buses and flagged off a direct BRT line from Ikorodu to CMS. This will bring comfort and convenience to Lagosians who ply that route. Our mission is to make connectivity and mobility of Lagosians more comfortable as the year progresses.
Work has restarted on the Blue Line Rail Project which is expected to be completed by December 2016. This will run from Mile 2 to CMS with Seven Stops within the route.
EDUCATION
We appointed Governing Councils for all our tertiary institutions. I have recently signed the amended Lagos State University bill and approved the appointment of a Vice Chancellor for the institution. A Provost has also been appointed for Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Otto Ijanikin. Our tertiary institutions will soon be centres of excellence in all ramifications.
We have undertaken the rehabilitation of schools, construction of new classroom blocks and provision of furniture to the tune of N2.5b. This was funded jointly with the Federal Government under the UBEC scheme with the State adding an additional N526m.
We are coming up with a new design of modern all-inclusive blocks of classrooms for the secondary schools to provide a conducive environment for learning. The Central Senatorial Zone stands to benefit from this tremendously.
HEALTH
The State Government has stopped the contentious casualisation of Medical Doctors who were employed some years ago by regularizing their employment status in the State Civil Service.
In addition, we have also extended the Accident Insurance Policy for our entire workforce to cover accidents recorded outside working hours.
I must quickly add that we are seriously working to ensure that we contain the spread of Lassa Fever, just the same way as we conquered the Ebola virus. I appeal to all Lagosians to be vigilant and cooperate with our health officials in the various Local Governments and Communities.
The rehabilitation and re-equipping of the Ayinke House in the Ikeja General Hospital will be completed in the next quarter.
TOURISM
The Lagos Countdown was modified and upscaled to become “One Lagos Fiesta’’.
This time around, the show was held simultaneously in five locations across the State – Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Agege and Lagos Island. The show gave a platform to many new artistes to showcase their talents. Government will continue to support our artistes.
SOCIAL REORIENTATION
We have set up a channel whereby abused individuals can report cases to the government.
We have trained 190 officers to receive these reports on sexual and gender based violence in Lagos. All convicted offenders shall face the full wrath of the Law. Our battle against any form of domestic and sexual violence remains on course.
JOB CREATION
In fulfilment of our electoral promise to create an Employment Trust Fund, I have signed the Employment Trust Fund Bill into Law. The primary objective of the fund is to address issues of unemployment and promote wealth creation through entrepreneurial development. A board of Trustees has been nominated and awaiting approval by the House of Assembly. We have already set aside N6.25b in the 2016 budget to jump-start this initiative.
We have advertised for positions in LASTMA. We intend to employ 1,300 individuals in this agency.
We have actively engaged investors both locally and abroad to bring them to do business in Lagos.
We are confident that these efforts will translate to new businesses and jobs for Lagosians very soon.
PROJECTIONS FOR YEAR 2016 1ST QUARTER
I have signed the 2016 Appropriation Bill into law and implementation has already started. Its main focus is to build new infrastructure, maintain existing ones and give adequate attention to wealth and employment.
In this quarter;
- We will kick-start the Employment Trust Fund
- The State will employ new staff into some government agencies like the LASTMA, the State Fire Service and Hospitals.
- We will continue to strengthen our security infrastructure to improve safety of lives and property.
- The Light Up Lagos Project will go to more areas in this quarter.
CONCLUSION
Ladies and Gentlemen, Lagos is working for all, no matter your tribe, creed or gender. Our government is listening and will do everything to address the challenges collectively confronting us.
As your Governor, I am resolute in my commitment to you; to serve and justify the trust you have reposed in me and work tirelessly to deliver good governance for the collective good of all Lagosians.
All we need is your support and cooperation. We thank you for your direct feedback to us. We take them on board but we also need you to always fulfil your side of the social contract by ensuring regular payment of your taxes and wilful compliance with the State Laws.
There are better days ahead. Together, we are building a Lagos that we are all proud of.
To all my people of Central Senatorial Zone, I say a big thank you.
God bless Lagos State
God bless Nigeria
God bless you all.
Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko, lo je mi logun! O je wa logun.
Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode
Governor of Lagos State.
19th, January 2016.