I Have Kept Faith, says Governor Fashola

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Tuesday marked his 1400 Days in the saddle of leadership, urging the people to go all out from Saturday April 2nd through the 16th to re-elect him and other flagbearers of the Action Congress of Nigeria to consolidate the progress, gains and transformation already made.

Governor Fashola who spoke at the Onikan Stadium, venue of the celebration with the theme: “Sustaining the Policies of Inclusion” which had a parade by service agencies of the administration, voluntary associations in schools and other groups added that everyone must be vigilant to ensure   sustenance of the widely acknowledged transformation.

The Governor added that doing so will also ensure that the State does not fall into the hands of political jobbers who have no record of accomplishment now seeking to experiment with  Lagos’ common patrimony. “Today represents the 1400th day that I have had the privilege to serve you and this is the 14th of these events and of course the last in this term of our service”“Our votes remain the safest weapons to protect and preserve our common patrimony, from the forces of poverty merchants, who purvey destruction at every station they have been unfortunately trusted with public office” the Governor said.Governor Fashola said that plague of poverty, destruction and depletion must never be visited on Lagos State, the Centre of Excellence, urging everyone to ensure that as they vote they also protect their votes.

The Governor said the faces of all those who were present at the event represent the inclusiveness and participatory nature of the Government and democracy in Lagos“The transformation that has won our State honours and recognition within and outside Nigeria has been delivered by that participation and inclusiveness which has allowed everybody to contribute to the development of our commonwealth”“You have been the pillars of the successes of our State.

You have lived together peacefully, respecting each other’s diversity and this has made it possible for your Government to deploy the inherent advantages of that diversity to propel our State towards prosperity through the various policies and programmes that have touched many lives in a most rewarding way”, he added.Governor Fashola said in the last 100 days, the Appropriation Law for 2011 to give effect to the Budget that will consolidate the gains already made has been signed, while Government has set about the implementation in its usual methodical and efficient manner to bring forth its impactful benefits.

He reiterated that while still canvassing for votes the administration has been busy across the State and across all sectors, delivering projects that continue to improve the quality of life.He added that in Mushin, Government has handed over the 17th Skills Acquisition Centre built to provide skill development, technical education and self employment opportunities to the youths just as a facility that comprises a school and clinic for physically challenged children in Owode-Elede was opened.

Also during the last 100 days, the Governor said three Mini- Water Works with a capacity for two million gallons of water daily each to service at least 500 homes was handed over in Ifako Ijaiye, Ikorodu and Badore .“In Epe, Oshodi and Shomolu, we have undertaken medical missions in the last 100 days to bring healthcare services closer to thousands of citizens without a charge which is a clearer evidence of taxes being put to work.”“Two weeks ago, we engaged 507 University graduates of the basic courses of English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry who have undergone special innovative conversion course to give them teaching skills.

They have been deployed to our public schools to run special extension classes for our children preparing for their final school leaving examination to assist them improve their performance and grades”, he added.He said in Ibeju lekki and Eti- Osa, two new blocks of classrooms for students which now provide a more conducive learning environment with libraries and laboratories was handed over while the partnership with the private sector has also delivered another new school in Dolphin/Ijeh area of Lagos, built by Mobil Oil.Governor Fashola explained that as a proof of his commitment to serve the people every day that he remains in office, last Sunday, he was at Falomo Bridge to flag off the deployment of the innovative technology adopted for the construction of the  ramp from Ozumba Mbadiwe road right on to Falomo Bridge which is going to solve the congestion of traffic at the Nigerian Law School intersection.

“We have improved our capacity for road maintenance as more roads are daily being rehabilitated and repaired as we simply get better day after day. In the last 100 days, we have restored hope to the middle class settlement of Adeniran Ogunsanya with a new road, and a rejuvenated shopping centre as we are also about to complete and handover Ogunlana Drive, while work is going on in Akerele and Bode Thomas”.“Our road works along Fashoro and Mba street, in parts of Idi- Araba and Mushin, such as Akanro are making progress even as we are working in places like Imam Shuaibu in Ijeshatedo and work is progressing in Agiliti, Agege and other parts of Lagos”, Governor Fashola.

He added: “In water transportation, the Governor reported that four new ferries which will operate from Ikorodu to Ebute –Ero in 17 minutes was launched in addition to the existing six while Government also expects to deliver more ferries as it progresses”.The Governor also told the gathering that in the last 100 days, it formally launched the Lagos Geographic Information Systems (GIS) that gives it enormous capacity in land administration, urban and town planning and so many other opportunities.He explained that the project has captured in photographic form, every building that exists in the State, every inch of land that exists in the State as well as the length and depth of all its entire waterways.

Governor Fashola expressed his profound gratitude to all Lagosians, all members of the Action Congress of Nigeria and especially its national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the architect of the present transformation, saying it is a fitting coincidence that the 1400 days event also falls on his predecessor’s birthday.

The Governor who personally offered himself for further service as Gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria thanked everyone profoundly for the honour done him by giving him the opportunity to serve Lagos and his country, saying it is the greatest honour any country can bestow on a citizen.Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs Ranti Odutola said as at today, the administration has 60 more days in office to complete its four year tenure.She added that the administration which hinges its belief on the principle of utilitarianism has performed beyond the expectation of the people and its political rivals within its short spell in office.

She explained that the administration has changed the landscape of Lagos State in all spheres of developmental programmes like education, road construction, and rehabilitation, health, environment, rural development, information and communication technology, public transportation, public private partnership, public safety and security, the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Eko Atlantic City among others.

The Permanent Secretary said within the last 1400 days, Governor Fashola (SAN) has judiciously allocated socio-economic, cultural and political resources among the diverse people who make up the State.The ceremony also witnessed a parade by service agencies of the administration like the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Highway Managers, Drainducks, voluntary associations in schools, and paramilitary agencies like the Neighbourhood Watch, the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), he Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and many other groups.

Prominent among those who attended the ceremony were the running mate to the Governor in the April 2011 elections,  Mrs. Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire, former Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, members of the State Executive Council, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu 1, other traditional rulers, religious leaders and  party leaders.