ADDRESS PRESENTED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MR AKINWUNMI AMBODE, GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE FIRST QUARTERLY TOWN HALL MEETING FOR YEAR 2017 (the 6th in the series), HELD ON THURSDAY 19TH JANUARY 2017 AT AJELOGO HOUSING SCHEME, AJELOGO MARKET ROAD, AKANIMODO, MILE 12

PROTOCOLS

I welcome you all to another in the series of our Town Hall engagements. At the beginning of our administration, we promised that we would run an all-inclusive government which would not leave anyone behind. We promised that we would always directly engage the people. That is why I am in Akanimodo, Mile 12 today.

We introduced the Quarterly Town Hall meetings as a platform to connectwith our people, not just to tell you what we are doing but to hear directly from you. This is the Sixth Town Hall meeting in the series and you have been with us on this journey and, together, we have made some progress in building a State we will all be proud of.

I thank you for your steadfastness, support and cooperation to our government. As a government, we will not relent in our efforts to achieve our dreams of making Lagos the foremost mega city in Africa through tourism initiatives and upgrade of infrastructure to international standards.

Today’s town hall meeting is not about speech making but to listen to you. We want to hear your needs and where you need government intervention. However, before we listen to you, let me give you a brief of what your government hasdone in the last quarter and what we plan for this quarter.

LAST QUARTER REPORT (OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2016)

HOUSING

In continuation of our quest to address housing deficit in Lagos, our administration’s “Rent-To-Own and Rental Housing Policy” came into effect last quarter to provide affordable housing units across the three Senatorial Districts. There are presently 4,355 units available with over 500 applicants prequalified so far and allocation will commence next week.

This is a fulfilment of one of our promises to Lagosians. It gives you the opportunity to pay an initial deposit of money and subsequent rent is paid in monthly instalments as dictated by the terms of agreement. The total cost of the property is liquidated over a period of years and ownership transferred to the beneficiary.

AGRICULTURE

The first fruits of our partnership with Kebbi State Government, LAKE RICE, was launched in December. With this product our government was able to offer affordable rice for sale to the entire residents of Lagos in all 57 Local Governments and Local Council Developments Areas during the year-end festivities. The sale of Lake Rice is still on-going at the same prices.

We are rehabilitatingthe Oko-Oba Abattoir and Lairage Complex, Agege in line with the promise to increase meat production output, develop the redmeat value chain and restructure the complex for improved operations.

ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE/TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT

In the last quarter we completed the following roads and transportation improvement initiatives;

• Marwa/Depot Road, Ijegun-Egba in Amuwo Odofin

• The 500metres-long Imeke-Ajido Bridge in Badagry

• Adisa Ajibulu in Oshodi

• Adisa Balogun-Igboho Street, Alapere in Kosofe Local Government

• Signalization and junction improvement along the Lekki-Epe Expressway

Many others are on-going and will be completed soon.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Our government stepped up activities geared towards community policing to complement the police and other law enforcement agencies in the State by inaugurating the Board of the State’s Neighbourhood Safety Corps. The Safety Corps will become operational before the end of this quarter.

With our efforts, a very significant reduction in crime was recorded in the State during the yuletide season. We remain committed to a safe environment. Our expenditure on security has been fruitful thus far.

EMPLOYMENT

In December, we issued offer letters to successful candidiates under the first phase of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund initiative.  We will intensify our efforts to assist our unemployed Youths and Artisans to access the funds available at the Employment Trust Fund.

FUTURE OUTLOOK

2017 happens to be a special year in the history of Lagos when the Centre of Excellence reaches a landmark golden jubilee on May 27. Adequate preparations are being made to ensure that the 50th anniversary celebration of our dear State, the Centre of Excellence, reflects the rich culture and heritage of the people of Lagos.

In the months ahead, our government will continue with our urban regeneration initiatives, building new infrastructure and maintaining existing ones. Some of the key projects we will undertake include:

• Agric-Isawo-Arepo Road in Ikorodu

• Ajelogo – Akinomodo Road Rehabilitation

• Oshodi to Murtala Mohammed Airport Road

• Ketu – Alapere Inner Roads Phase II

• Oke Oso – Araga – Poka in Epe

• Topo Garage to VIP Chalet in Badagry

• Establishment of Bus Terminals and depots in Yaba, Ikeja, Oyingbo, Anthony, Ketu and Toll Gate.

• Full take-off of BRT along Abule-Egba-Oshodi axis.

More beneficiaries will receive funding from our Employment Trust Fund this month as we strive to energise the economy and create jobs through Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. These businesses would enjoy government support to ensure the ventures embarked upon are nurtured to healthy growth.

The Ladipo Market, Mushin which had been beset with the problem of congestion will be redesigned and reconstructed to accommodate a multi-layer car park that will eradicate the rigours of parking associated with the thriving market and its environs. ASPAMDA market in the International Trade Fair will also get a facelift in terms of Roads and Light.

CONCLUSION

As we continue the task of ensuring good governance in our dear State, I am confident that 2017 will bring succor and new opportunities that will foster prosperity for Lagos State and all its residents.

Equipped by this conviction of a progressive and prosperous Lagos in no distant time, I urge you to continue to support and cooperate with our administration to achieve the lofty ideas and plans to make Lagos a prosperous State.

Our party, the APC, remains focused on making Lagos the progressive sign post for all. I thank all our party leaders and members for their loyalty and support.

I urge you to remain faithful in payment of your taxes to help our government advance the task of building Lagos into a prosperous State of our dreams.

I thank you all for your attention.

Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko, lo je wa logun.

Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

Governor of Lagos State

January 19, 2017