14th September, 2010
In keeping with the tradition of his administration since inception in 2007, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Friday rendered account of his stewardship in the last 1, 200 days, saying his administration is committed to redefining governance in the state.
The 1, 200 Days stewardship rendering, however, went a notch higher as the account was rendered in the three Senatorial Districts of the State – Lagos Central, Lagos West and Lagos East Senatorial districts – with Lagosians in each place given opportunities to ask questions and raise issues which members of the State Executive Council were on hand to provide answers and render clarifications.
Governor Fashola, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, said his administration would also continue to be innovative, proactive and daring, adding that it would, however, rely on the peoplesâ€
“Taking cognizance of the fact that governance is all about the improvement of humanity, our administration has remained hooked to your partnership and look forward to sustaining same to the next levelâ€, the Governor said adding, however, that Government has made provisions to get feedbacks on its services to the people.
Attributing his administrationâ€
“Today, our Lagos is a huge Work in Progress as we are renewing and developing new infrastructure which have been designed to be human and environmental friendly through the provision of ramps, walkways, fire hydrants and service ductsâ€, the Governor said adding that till date, his administration has delivered 151, 454 kilometres of high grade roads spread across the Stateâ€
Such high grade roads, the Governor said, include Ajara-Erekiti-Ikoga Road, Lateef Adegboyega Street, Shibiri-Etegbin Road, Ajangbadi-Ilogbo-Elegba Road, LASU-Iba Road and Okota-Itire Overhead Link Bridge adding that with the completion of the roads, traffic bottle-necks is gradually easing and communication and transportation greatly enhanced, particularly, among the Okota, Aguda, Surulere, Lawanson, Yaba, Ejigbo, Ire-Akari Estate and Isheri Osun communities dispersed in seven local government areas.
“Another core public infrastructure which fuels the State is Power for which Badagry plays host to our Electricity Partnership facility with El-Swedey, an Egyptian company which is already in operationâ€, the Governor said adding the Lagos City Hall, which he described as “the heritage pride of our mega-cityâ€, was restored and handed over to Lagosians as a national and international tourist and heritage site.
The Governor said as a way of ensuring that the rural areas play a critical and complimentary role to the cities, the Government has been experimenting with solar energy as a test run to provide communities with electricity, pointing out that various schemes have already been initiated at Bishop Kodji and Sabo Kodji villages in Amuwo-Odofin, Dadd Kesse, Agbojetho and Ilogbo in Badagry.
On the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Governor Fashola, who said the project is very much on course, pointed out that as at the last count, over 70 local and foreign companies had signed a Memorandum of Understanding and have made financial commitments signifying interest in the zone adding that another 53 companies have registered in the Free Zone investment agreement while 12 companies have executed investment agreements to secure employment opportunities for over 800 Nigerians and 70 Chinese nationals within the zone.
Governor Fashola appealed for calm and understanding on the erection of tolls on the Lekki-Epe Expressway reiterating that Government has already put in place a committee to ensure that all parties are satisfied. “I urge you all to allow the committee do its workâ€, the Governor pleaded.
Pledging the commitment of his administration to the Millennium Development Goals, Governor Fashola said his administration has upgraded over 100 primary health centres and developed 110 bed maternal and childcare centres at Amuwo Odofin General Hospital, Ifako Ijaiye, Ikorodu, Isolo, Surulere, Ajeromi, Amuwo Odofin, Alimosho and Gbagada which, he said, is being developed as an annex of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital with specialization in kidney and cancer treatment.
“At the tertiary healthcare level, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) now houses such first class medical facilities as the BT Diagnostic and health Centre, Pediatric Ward Complex, etc†the Governor said adding that the Emergency and Accident Centre located at the old tollgate of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been completed and commissioned with 200 accident patients attended to date.
On Education, Governor Fashola said his administration has been providing quality and functional education through the distribution of basic textbooks to pupils, payment of examination fees, provision of laboratories/workshop and general improvement in school environment as well as enhancement of teachers welfare.
Governor Fashola expressed gratitude to corporate entities and individuals who, according to him, “have taken up the gauntlet to help rebuild our schools under the Support Our Schools programmeâ€. He urged parents and communities to be actively involved in the development of the children pointing out that the education of the young remains the responsibility of all.
Other sectors where the Government has made extensive progress, according to the Governor, include Security through the Security Trust Fund, Sanitation and liveability where he said Government has pursued the development of mini-waterworks in several local government areas, and put an Independent Power Plant in place at Adiyan to sustain constant water supply, the Green Lagos programme, the introduction of climate change clubs, provision/cleaning of drainage channels, institutions of regulatory framework and hosting of international fora to extend the frontier of action as part of concerned efforts to draw attention on the need to treat the environment with care.
Urging the people to treat the environment with care, Governor Fashola declared, “As citizens of Lagos and in the face of high rainfall and massive flooding globally, we must act responsibly in our waste disposal habits and the use of electricity adding that reduction in the use of cars while embracing public bus services are essential to combating the growing menace of global warming.
He said as part of its poverty eradication programme, Government has provided 4, 028 persons with vocations in its Skill Acquisition and Vocational Centres adding that till date, about 350, 000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, have been created through Government projects, programmes and policies.
The Governor expressed deep appreciation to Lagosians “on behalf of Members of the State Executive Council and the Legislature for giving us the opportunity to serve the peopleâ€, and for paying their taxes without prompting.
“Let it be noted that any time accolades are rained on our administration for touching lives and making a difference, I cannot but thank God Almighty for making this possible and you the citizenry for your continuous support through your prayers, performance of civic duties, especially your voluntary payment of taxes as well as playing your part effectively in your various endeavoursâ€, the Governor said and urged the people to treat with utmost care projects completed and handed over to them.
While making a presentation on the theme: “Inclusive Governance for More Rapid and Sustainable Developmentâ€, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Supo Sasore (SAN) said in the last three years the State Government has constructed 151, 454 kilometres of roads spread across the three senatorial districts.
He added that under the plan to provide uninterrupted power supply to selected areas on the Island, about 20 streets have been identified in addition to the General Hospital which will enjoy 24 hours power supply.
On the transportation sector, Mr. Sasore said operation would soon commence by commercial cargo ferry operators towards encouraging a proper usage of the water ways just as the State Government would continue to regulate dredging to prevent natural disasters that may accompany it.
In the judicial sector, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, recalled that a couple of weeks back, the State handed over the J.I.C Taylor Magistrates Court with a capacity for 20 court rooms to ensure speedy dispensation of justice and also revealed that Government has passed the Mortgage Law and is in the process of providing 1000 units of houses which would be located in Ibeju Lekki and Abijo adding that 200 units was ready for handing over to would-be beneficiaries in the mortgage scheme in the next 90 days.
The Commissioner also told the audience that urban regeneration is being carried out in Isalegangan where some of the houses would be replaced with 50 brand new dwellings while in Education the reinvigorated educational policy of the administration has led to an increase of the total population of students in public schools which is now 1.1million with the schools attracting 250,000 new students in all public schools spread across the State.
While responding to a question on why the State Government is constructing three separate tolls in one Local Government Eti Osa on the Lekki Expressway, Sasore assured the residents and citizens that whatever decision is finally taken will take due cognizance of the interest of the citizenry.
He explained that part of the provision of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Lagos State Government with the Concessionaires on the Lekki Expressway is to provide an alternative road before tolling it, adding that Government is committed to ensuring that this is done.
Pointing out that the Lekki Expressway also serves as a gateway to the Lekki Free Trade Zone the Commissioner noted that already the Zone has attracted about 53 companies who have signed up to do business in the area with several others also showing interest.
On what plans are in place to promote agriculture, Sasore said Government has embarked on an agriculture programme called Youth Empowerment Scheme at Araga in Epe just as it is encouraging small and big scale farmers to increase their capacity hinting that Government also has a plan for all residents to practice independent farming because it is a government that is concerned about food security.
Answering questions on the readiness of the Government to ensure that the case of Cholera now ravaging some states of the country does not affect Lagos residents, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said the State Government is embarking upon public enlightenment and advocacy to sensitize members of the public on maintaining healthy habits as a way of preventing Cholera outbreaks.
Dr Idris disclosed that the State Government is doing everything possible to solve the problem of resident doctors who are currently on strike adding that, progress was being made on efforts in this direction.
Also speaking at the event, Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele said emphatically that development has been spread evenly to all the three senatorial districts of the State describing it as a privilege to have been a part of the “focused and purposeful†governance of Lagos State by Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) in the first term.
He gave a commitment that all members of the cabinet remain steadfast in ensuring that Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) completes his first term in office and also get another term of four years.
Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele said the story of Lagos in the last 1, 200 days of democratic governance has been that of progressive and incremental transformation.
While congratulating Muslims on the Eid-il-Fitri festival which coincided with the Day, the Commissioner said the event was in continuation of the administrationâ€
Said he: “Presently we have in place a government that is genuinely committed to managing the State resources for the common good of all. Wherever you go in Lagos, you can see the administration of Babatunde Fashola at work without trumpeting or splashing his face on billboards. His work simply speaks for himâ€.
Bamidele solicited the support of Lagosians in Governmentâ€
The interactive session at each of the three senatorial districts were attended by members of the State Executive Council, Body of Permanent Secretaries, former Military Governor of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu and his wife, Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Henry Ajomale, Vice Chairman Cardinal James Odumbaku, Local Government Councils and Council Development Area Chairmen, political leaders and traditional rulers from each of the three districts as well as top government functionaries and captains of industries.