Ambode Makes His Mark

Last week, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode inaugurated projects that touched the lives of residents across all the councils of the state, writes Peter Uzoho

The primary objective of every government is to improve the lives of the people by ensuring it delivers infrastructure that would affect the people both directly and indirectly. This purpose is surely not lost on the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

In nearly one year since he took over the saddle as the Governor of the state, he has continued to give residents a cause to smile again. For Ambode, nothing short of making life comfortable for the people of the State would be acceptable and thus, he is leading from the front to ensure that his administration does not fall short of the expectations of the people.

What has got many talking about Lagos today is the way and manner the present administration has gone about delivering the dividends of democracy and improving the giant strides witnessed in the past two administrations. In some quarters, the Governor has been nicknamed ‘less talk, more action’ while some prefer to refer to him as ‘silent achiever’ and the reason is not farfetched.

In the last 11 months, every local government in the state has felt the impact of the present administration through one project or the other.
From upgrade of road infrastructure to schools’ upgrade as well as street light projects, the wind of change blowing through the state is fast sweeping across all the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas.

In the outgoing week, Ambode was in the news again. This time, as part of plans to mark his one year in office, series of projects, including those executed by the local and state government were inaugurated across the 57 councils.
Spread across five days, Ambode in line with his mantra to ensure inclusive governance, detailed his cabinet members to do him the honour of officially handing over the projects to the benefit of the people.

On Monday, May16, the train moved to Apapa, Ajeromi, Kosofe, Ikorodu and Badagry local governments.

At Apapa Local Government, the projects handed over by the Governor include nine roads within the Apapa Business District, Ultra-modern Liverpool Jetty, 12 block of classrooms at Methodist Nursery and Primary School and four block of classrooms at Arakan Barracks Nursery and Primary School with standard facilities such as modern toilets, sick bay, furniture, ceiling fans, ramps to accommodate the physically challenged, among others.
Specifically, the road inaugurated are Marine Road, Bombay Crescent, Randle Road, Ibikunle Akintoye Street, Commercial Road, Burma Road, Plateau Road, Zeek Avenue, Marine Road Extension and Connector Road; otherwise known as Bombay Crescent to Calcutta Road Phase III.

The roads were designed to accommodate walkways, street light and drainage system.

The Governor, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, said the projects were in sync with his promise of running an all-inclusive government where no area would be left behind.

In Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, Governor Ambode inaugurated an Ultra-modern Court Complex and a 360-meters interlocking road with drainage situated in Aduke Street, while in Ikorodu, the Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for the Environment, Hon. Babatunde Adejare, inaugurated an Ultra-modern shopping complex at the popular Sabo Market.
He also inaugurated the Ota-Ona Dual Carriage Road as well as block of classrooms in Agbede, all in Ikorodu.

At Badagry, the Governor who was represented by the Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemo inaugurated a block of 16 classrooms and another block of 8 classrooms, as well as six classrooms in Badagry West Local Council Development Area.

At Kosofe, the Governor represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo inaugurated road projects at Oladele, Shoyebi and Ademola Taiwo/Alamu Taiwo/Ogunsola Streets.

Speaking on the 114 LG roads, Ambode, who was represented in Ajeromi-Ifelodun by the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem said: “The feat is unprecedented in the history of Lagos and this has provided employment to over 9,000 citizens directly and indirectly within the year. Counterpart funding of more than 60 per cent has been committed by the state to ensure speedy completion of the exercise before the end of June, 2016.”

Speaking on the projects, the Ojora of Ijora, Oba Fatai Aromire commended Governor Ambode, saying the remarkable feat achieved just within one year in office was an eloquent confirmation that the state is progressing.

“As the paramount ruler of this domain, I like to specially appreciate our amiable Governor for the projects he embarked upon in our area. We are indeed very happy and wish the Governor well in the leadership of the State,” Oba Aromire said.

Also, Vice Chairman of Apapa Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr. Saka Yussuf said the projects inaugurated in their area were unprecedented in the history of the area, adding that the people were indeed happy with the leadership of the state.

A former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye who spoke in Ikorodu, commended the laudable stride of the Governor in just 11 months of inception, just as he appealed to people who are yet to feel the impact of government in their areas to be patient.
At Ifako-Ijaye Local Government Area of the state, the Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Tourism and Culture Mr. Folorunsho Folarin Coker inaugurated Oluwasijibomi, Folorunsho Streets and Iju Primary Health Care Center, Lonlo saying that the era of spending tax payers money on white elephant projects not needed by the people were gone in the state.

He said that the state has experienced improved physical and urban development, proper land administration and illumination of its highways and streets.

The governor appealed to monarchs and communities leaders to address the menace of cultism, miscreants and hoodlums and promote peace and clean environment at all times.

In Alimosho Local Government Area, the Governor inaugurated the Mosan Okunola Mini Waterworks after over 20 years of being moribund.

Represented by his Special Adviser, Housing, Mrs. Aramide Giwanson, Ambode said the state now has 33 Mini Waterworks and five Major Waterworks.

Giwanson said the administration of Governor Ambode was on a steady journey to achieve the daily production of 540 million gallons of water to meet the demand of about 22 million population of the state, adding that presently, the state is producing 210 million gallons of water per day.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Mosan Okunola LCDA, Mrs. Opeyemi Akindele said the water project was an eloquent testimony of a promise kept and delivered.

Also, a community leader and pioneer chairman of Mosan Okunola LCDA, Elder Abel Gbadejo said that just in less than a year in office, Governor Ambode has performed creditably well, adding that the Water Project would improve the life style of people in the area because water is very important.

In Oshodi Isolo Local Government Area, the Governor inaugurated the popular Brown Street, Okota Road in Isolo and a Police Post in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of the state.

Brown Street had been in dilapidated form for years until the Lagos State Government awarded the contract to Messrs Lubrik Construction Company Limited in October, 2015 to rehabilitate and upgrade the road.

The road, with a length of 690 metres has the economic importance of improving the standard of living in the area, enhance property values, abate flooding in the area, improve traffic flow and shorter travel time for road users.

Other projects inaugurated are the upgraded Okota Road and the inaugurating of Ashamu Police Post in Ejigbo.

Speaking at the inauguration of Brown Street, Oshodi, the Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami, said he had promised during his inauguration to run a government of inclusion that would not leave anyone behind and where everyone would have a voice.

He said his Government had worked to promote active collaboration among all tiers of government with the community development as the centre piece.

In Ejigbo, the Governor inaugurated the rehabilitated Ashamu Police Post in Ailegun, Ejigbo and handed it over to the police.

Area Commander, Salisu Gyadigyadi who represented the Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni while commending the Governor said the importance of citing the Police Post at Ailegun could not be over-emphasised as it would checkmate criminal activities around the area and to checkmate the influx of undesirable element in Ejigbo and Ijegun areas.

He appealed to community members to support the police in fighting crime by giving out useful information that would lead to nabbing of criminals.

In Ojo Local Government, Governor Ambode inaugurated the Usman Mogaji Road and the Data Capturing Centre.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabolu, Ambode told the residents that his administration would not renege on running a transparent government, just as he vowed to make the dividends of democracy get to every nook and crannies of the State.

At the inauguration of the data capturing centre in Ojo Local Government where all unemployed youth in the area would register and collate their data, Ambode assured the residents of making effective use of the centre for engagement of their youths.

Also at the inauguration of Usman Mogaji Road in Ajangbadi, the governor advised the residents to make good use of the road and ensure they pay their taxes as at when due.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ayo Ogunlana, commended Governor Ambode for the laudable strides he has recorded just in his eleventh in office as the Governor of Lagos State.

In Amuwo Odofin Local Government, the Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Lola Akande formally handed over 10 passengers’ capacity fibre boats to Riverine Communities in Amuwo Odofin Local Government and Oriade Local Council Development Area in Ijegun Jetty to aid in conveying school teachers based in riverine areas.

In Epe, the Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Community and Communications, Kehinde Bamigbetan, inaugurated blocks of classroom at St. Theresa’s College, Oke-Oyingbo, a Town Hall at Ita-Opo, Epe and Regional Water Scheme, Otta-Ikosi, while in Eti-Osa, the 1.9km Unity/1st Avenue Osapa London Road in Eti-Osa Local Government and block of 16 classrooms with modern facilities at Kuramo Primary School in Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

The Governor also inaugurated the Job Registration and Labour Exchange Centre for the Lagos Division in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state as part of the employment creation and wealth generation initiative of his administration.
In Shomolu Local Government, Ambode inaugurated a Primary Healthcare Centre and Diagnosis Centre named after him and a 400 metres road in Bariga Local Council Development Area.

Speaking while inaugurating the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), Ambode, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Art and Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, said that the Centre would cater for the health needs of residents and reduce the incidences of maternal mortality.

He said the 400 metres of Baptist Church Street would link several communities in the area, even as he warned against destruction of the roads by plumbers and other artisans.

In Ibeju Lekki Local Government, Ambode who was represented by the Special Adviser, Food Security, Ganiu Okanlomo Sanni, inaugurated the Origanrigan and Awoyaya PHC, saying it was in line with his administration’s zero tolerance for maternal mortality.

As the wave of project delivery continues to sweep to all the nooks and crannies of the state, hopes are high that Lagos under Governor Ambode as captain of the ship is bound to sail smoothly to shore.