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Tag: Ambode

  • Ambode gives contractor February deadline to complete Ago Palace Way

    Ambode gives contractor February deadline to complete Ago Palace Way

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has set February as deadline for the completion of the Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo.

    Expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of work during a tour of the road yesterday, the governor ordered the contractor to work day and night to meet the deadline.

    “We cannot afford to be slow on this road. It is a very strategic and important road to our people. I have directed the contractor to ensure that this road is completed between now and February next year,” he said.

    The governor also inspected work on Okota Road, assuring residents that the repair will be completed soon.

    At the newly rehabilitated Alfa Nla/Oke Koto roads in Agege, Ambode said the projects were completed in fulfilment of his campaign promise.

    The governor said: “You remember that during the campaign, I came here and I said if you vote for me, I will fix this road which is Alfa Nla/Oke Koto roads. I said I will come back to do it and I did promise that before Christmas, this road will be ready.

    “In fulfilment of our promise, we are here today inspecting the completion of this road. What I want to tell you as part of the Christmas gift to you is that we are going to put street light on this road.”

    He directed that street lights be installed from Alfa Nla to Oke-Koto, noting that work on the adjoining Capitol road will begin next month.

    Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) General Manager Ayo Sodeinde, who was on the governor’s entourage, said the road was fixed in eight weeks.

    Sodeinde said: “When we got to Alfa Nla, it was even worse than Ejigbo road. In short, it was terrible and the first thing we did was to go and see their Baale.

    “We moved in and within eight weeks, this road has been transformed to this present state. As you can see, we are here on inspection of a better road. We did patching and some maintenance job on Capitol road but on the stretch of road from Alfa Nla to Oke-Koto, it was full rehabilitation that we did.

    At the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Shopping Complex in Falomo, Ikoyi, Ambode frowned at the poor environment and indiscriminate parking of vehicles on the road, describing it as an eyesore.

    He ordered the evacuation of the vehicles, and asked the Commissioner for the Environment to ensure the enforcement of sanitation rules.

  • Ambode, Aregbesola, Ayade, Amosun, Dickson, Wada urge peaceful co-existence, hope

    Ambode, Aregbesola, Ayade, Amosun, Dickson, Wada urge peaceful co-existence, hope

    GOVERNORS, in their goodwill messages, have felicitated with the citizenry over the Eid-el-Maulud and Christmas celebrations.

    They urged them to embrace the virtues of love and peaceful co-existence.

    The governors advised them to refrain from activities that could trigger unrest and disunity, calling for prayers for divine intervention over the country’s economic challenges.

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in his message to residents, said as the nation anticipates the change promised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governments at the centre and state levels, it was only through peaceful co-existence and atmosphere that any positive change could materialise.

    “The season of Christmas is one that exemplifies the virtues of love and peaceful co-existence. We must continue to extend a hand of love and live as one family, irrespective of our creed or colour. We must also continue to respect each other’s right to live freely and peacefully”, the governor said in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna.

    He said the security challenges facing the country should not be used as an avenue to create division along ethnic and religious lines by some politicians, who, he added, were engaging in name-calling of political opponents.

    Ambode said Nigeria  has continued to draw strength from its diversity, saying that the citizens  must, therefore, stand together and resist any attempt by any individual or group of persons to highlight such ethnic differences to further their selfish ends or fan embers of disunity.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola asked Muslims all over the world to use the occasion of this year’s celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad to pray for divine intervention over the country’s economic challenges.

    Though the governor recognised the global nature of the economic meltdown, he said Muslims have a great role to play in offering prayers for God’s direction and interventions.

    He asked the adherents to remember the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and apply them in their personal lives.

    Aregbesola said in doing that, humanity would regain the lost essence of living and there would be a return to the path of God.

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade enjoined Christians to “reflect on the import of Christmas brought about by the birth of Jesus Christ and its redemptive hope to millions of Christians around the world”.

    The governor, in the goodwill message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, urged Christians to use the opportunity of the celebration to rededicate themselves to the values of love, peace, sacrifice and tolerance as embodied in the birth of Jesus Christ.

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun described as “a divine message of love, unity and religious tolerance,” the fact that this years’ celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad almost coincided with that of the birth of Jesus Christ.

    He urged Christians and Muslim faithful to live in unity and love at all times and eschew all forms of intolerance and violence.

    Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson called on Bayelsans to imbibe the positive attributes of peace, love and forgiveness, which Christ propagated, lived and died for.

    Dickson reminded the people of the importance of peace, noting that it remains a major catalyst to any meaning development, especially under a democratic dispensation.

    Kogi State governor Idris Wada congratulated Nigerians for witnessing this year’s Eid-el-Maulud, Christmas and end of year festivities and enjoined them to use the atmosphere  for the revival of brotherhood and service to humanity.

    The governor, in a message by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, urged Nigerians to use the Christmas season for meditation and sober reflection.

  • Ambode urges Muslims to pray for peace of Nigeria

    Ambode urges Muslims to pray for peace of Nigeria

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday called on Muslims in the nation to offer special prayers for greater peace, unity and continuous progress of Nigeria, as they join their counterparts across the world to celebrate Eid El Maulud, which is the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

    The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, enjoined Muslims to follow the exemplary leadership of the Holy Prophet by promoting peaceful co-existence among the various segments of the society.

    While imploring Nigerians to shun ethnic, political and religious differences and work towards building a safer and better Nigeria, Governor Ambode said the celebration of the birth of the Prophet should renew the faith and bond of unity among Nigerians as one people and one nation irrespective of diversity.

    “On the occasion of the commemoration of the birth of the holy Prophet, it is imperative to reflect on his teachings and uphold his legacies of unity, integrity, peaceful coexistence and love for one’s neighbour, which are indispensable in our quest for meaningful development and the profitable management of our diversity,” he said.

    Ambode also urged Muslim to internalize the virtues of honesty, selflessness, charity, tolerance, good neighbourliness, justice, equity and fairness which the Mohammad preached, saying such will go a long way to engender national development.

    “I want to seize this occasion to urge all Nigerians to commit and rededicate themselves to making greater effort to imbibe these qualities and values as they celebrate the Prophet’s birth.

    “I therefore wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters in Nigeria and Lagos in particular a happy Eid-el-Maulud,” he said.

  • Ambode to Lagosians: be security conscious

    Ambode to Lagosians: be security conscious

    •Lawmaker donates gadgets to communities

    Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode yesterday urged Lagosians to be security conscious.

    Noting that the country is confronted by security challenges, including insurgency, he said concerted efforts should be made to confront the challenges because security is a collective enterprise.

    The governor spoke at the Yaba Local Development Council (LCDA) during the presentation of security gadgets to 14 residential estates, 66 churches, 40 mosques and nine secondary schools by the member representing Lagos Mainland in the House of Representatives, Olajide Jimoh.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami, the governor said the lawmaker’s gesture was consistent with his administration’s vision on the protection of life and property.

    Ambode said: “This is the first time a member of the House of Representatives from Lagos will be distributing security gadgets to churches, mosques and schools.

    “He is complementing the government’s efforts in the grassroots. I urge Lagosians to be security conscious. There are other problems facing our people, especially unemployment. We will also address the challenge.”

    Prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains witnessed the ceremony chaired by the chairman, Otunba Oladele Ajomale. They include Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Chief Kayode Olowu; House of Representatives members- Rotimi Agunsoye (Kosofe), Babajide Benson (Ikorodu), Ayodeji Joseph (Apapa)-; Chief Tayo Oyemade; Lanre Oshun, Dr. Tokunbo Oluwole; Apostle Femi Ojo;  Yomi Lapite, Chief Mudashiru Odetunde, Chief Iman of Mainland Alhaji Sabit Lawal, Apostle Biyi Thomas and Mrs. Omowumi Giwa, who represented Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

    Explaining his motive, Jimoh said Nigeria can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.

    He said: “Nigeria today faces a lot of multi-dimensional security challenges, ranging from robbery, kidnapping, abduction, arson, banditry, cultism, assassination, to terrorism.

    “The older generation must revel in the nostalgia of the distant past when humanity savoured peace with politically-motivated violence, religious disturbances and tribal feuds occurring far in-between.

    “Bloodshed is a constant happening now in the country. On the global scene, terrorism has assumed a frightening dimension.

    “Economic prosperity can only thrive in a relatively safe and peaceful environment. Therefore, governments must provide an enabling environment by ensuring the safety of citizens, organisations and institutions against threats to their wellbeing and prosperity of their communities.”

    “I am distributing security gadgets, specifically hand-held metal detectors to all churches, mosques, communities and schools in mainland Federal Constituency. This will check illegal entries into our places of worship, communities and schools. Someone with an evil intention who carries a weapon or bomb on his body will not go near where metal detectors are used to screen entrants.”

    Ajomale praised Jimoh for his kind gesture, urging other lawmakers to emulate him.

    Olowu said: “We must never joke with security. It is a collective enterprise. Other lawmakers and local governments should take up the challenge in their areas.

     

     

  • Ambode to make Ebute-Meta tourist haven

    Ambode to make Ebute-Meta tourist haven

    •‘We’ll turn Alimoso to VI’

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday unveiled plans to build a recreation park in Ebute-Meta in order to make it a tourist haven. The park will be built on a land overlooking the lagoon, adjacent to the Adekunle axis of the Third Mainland Bridge.

    Ambode, who spoke during the commissioning of Ipaja-Ayobo and Ikotun-Ejigbo Roads and tour of on-going projects across the state, lamented that the proposed park site was an eye sore from the bridge.

    He gave the auto mechanics under the bridge seven days to quit and remove all abandoned vehicles for the project to take off.

    The governor promised to complete the project before the end of May next year when the state will turn 50.

    He said: “Three months ago, you will all recall that we came to this particular road and we promised the people of Mosan-Okunola that we will deliver the Ipaja -Ayobo Road before Christmas, and it is on the strength of that promise that we are here today. Thank God, we have seen to the completion of this road; it has street lights beginning from Ipaja roundabout to the end.

    “As much as we have kept our promise and delivered even before the projected day, the residents should also maintain good use of this road and cooperate with the government as we extend development to this neighbourhood. I just want to assure the people of Alimoso axis that this government is right behind you and we would do everything possible to turn Alimosho to Victoria Island.”

    At the commissioning of Ejigbo Road, Ambode pledged that streetlight would be installed on the road from Ikotun roundabout to the Isolo campus of Lagos Polytechnic within three months.

    He said work on Brown Street in Oshodi, which began about six weeks ago, is now over 40 percent completed, expressing optimism that the residents would enjoy the new road when completed.

    After being briefed by Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area Executive Secretary Dawood Olajobi on the challenges of the adjoining Igbehin-Adun and Inasa streets, the governor ordered the Public Works Corporation (PWC) to rehabilitate the streets within seven days.

    At the Oshodi Resettlement Market, Ambode also ordered the PWC to resurface its car park for the reopening.

    He urged the developer to consider a rent-to-own modality for shops’ acquisition, saying a monthly payment plan would prevent the shops from being hijacked by businessmen.

  • Ambode: pupils to eat meals in Lagos schools from Jan

    Ambode: pupils to eat meals in Lagos schools from Jan

    Pupils in Lagos State will from January eat once a day on the government’s account, Governor. Akinwunmi Ambode said yesterday.

    Ambode announced the commencement of the “A-Meal-a-Day” programme in public primary schools, when he presented the 2016 “Peoples budget” plan to the House of Assembly.

    Presenting a budget proposal of N662.58 billion, the governor said funding of the programme will be done in collaboration with the Federal Government, which will provide 60 per cent of the cash.

    “This programme promises not only to improve the daily nutrition of our children, It will also create an economy of its own, with opportunities for job creation, income generation, poverty alleviation, and so on,” he said.

    Ambode said the government’s intervention in education will continue in the areas of maintenance of public school buildings and facilities, and provision of basic instructional materials.

    Government will also provide free textbooks for schools and mandatory capacity building programmes for teachers in public schools.

    “We intend to launch an advocacy programme `Kick Illiteracy out of Lagos’, starting from next year.

    “I am happy to inform you that in 2016, we will develop our e-curriculum, leading to the distribution of Ibile tablets to pupils in our public schools,” he said.

    Ambode said revolution at the secondary school level will set a new standard in the educational system which will enhance the knowledge of the children, to enable them compete effectively with their peers in developed countries.

    Other areas to be addressed include transportation, where Ambode will fully operationalise the multi-modal transport system through the construction of new jetties and completion of work on the Blue-Rail Line project from Mile 2 to Marina.

    “We will deliver this project in year 2016,” the governor said.

    On security, Ambode said his government will not relent in its efforts in making the state secure for residents and visitors.

    “We will continue to support our security agencies with the necessary tools to fight crime.

    “We will build on the existing cordial relationship with the private sector in ensuring that Security Trust Fund is efficiently utilised to make our state very safe,” he said.

    Ambode said a Medical Park will be established in 2016 to make the state a key destination for medical tourism.

    “We promised earlier to deliver Ayinke House, our foremost facility for mothers, in the second quarter of 2016,” he said.

    On roads, Ambode said construction of new roads will continue across the length and breadth of the state.

    “We will place the completion on-going road construction projects and pedestrian bridges on our priority list in year 2016.

    He said the government would promote environmentally friendly habits among the populace and complete on-going drainage projects.

    On Agriculture and Food Security, Ambode said that state will collaborate with other states in the development of a commodity value chain, specifically for rice production.

    “In 2016, we will invest more in Ayobo Fish Farm Estate at Alimosho to boost fish production and provide jobs.

    “To secure ourselves food-wise, an Agric Park will be established in 2016,” Ambode said

    Giving a breakdown, Ambode put recurrent expenditure at N278,909 billion and capital expenditure N383,678 billion, explaining that the capital to recurrent ratio is 58:42 per cent as against 51:49 in 2014 and 2015.

    The governor put the total revenue estimate at N542.873 billion, adding that the balance of N119.714 billion would be funded through deficit financing, constituting 0.41 per cent of the GDP and a cumulative debt to GDP ratio of about three per cent.

    On the size of the budget,  N120,508,571,598 was earmarked for General Public Services (18.19 per cent); N28,559,021,841 for Public Order and Safety (4.31 per cent) and Economic Affairs N211,043,408,183 (31.85 per cent).

  • Ambode’s convoy arrests traffic offenders

    Ambode’s convoy arrests traffic offenders

    In line with the commitment of his administration to ensure law and order in the state, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday apprehended motorists, tricyclist and motorcyclists driving against traffic in Ijora Olopa area of the state in breach of the State Road Traffic Law.

    The Governor’s convoy, which was driving from Lagos Island en-route Carter Bridge to Ikeja, also accosted some other motorists who committed the traffic offence on Apogbon Bridge.

    Among the vehicles arrested include a black Toyota Camry with registration number KRD 666 DK; metallic coloured Lexus SUV with registration number LSR  995 BT; black Toyota Corolla with registration number AKD 911 DC; and yellow Mitsubishi taxi with registration number YE 819 KJA.

    Other vehicles arrested included commercial buses with registration numbers BDG 242 XQ, JJJ 126 SC, LSD 824 XC and truck belonging to Gafista Concepts Limited, a private PSP operator with the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA). The truck was with registration number BDG708 XJ.

    A white Toyota Hilux belonging to the Lagos State Water Corporation was also arrested.

    While being questioned by journalists in Lagos House Ikeja, the offenders admitted to driving against the traffic and breaching the law, explaining that they were forced to pass one way due to traffic gridlock.

    Sunday Izebor, a commercial motorcyclist from Edo State, said he was arrested while passing one way, and explained that it was not in his nature to do so, but was forced to commit the traffic offense due to heavy traffic.

    The driver of the PSP truck, Ogunwale Segun admitted that he drives against traffic to navigate the road on a daily basis.

    He said: “I wanted to park refuse in Ijora when I was arrested. The LAWMA road was blocked so I had to pass one way and that was what made me to be caught otherwise I would not have been arrested.”

    On her part, a lady who identified herself as Adejoke Elemoro said she passed through one way because she was in a hurry to catch up with a meeting scheduled for 7am in her office with a customer.

    “I passed one way this morning when I was arrested. It is not that I did it intentionally but it was the naval officers in the area that directed me to pass one way. I left my house around 6am to catch up with the meeting and I had to pass one way because we have been facing serious traffic on that route since three months, and if not that, I will not meet up with my appointment,” she said.

    Also, an interstate commercial bus driver, Ganiru Ayakunle said he committed the traffic offence because of his passengers who were rushing to  catch up with urgent appointments.

    A commercial tricyclist, Akinlabi Ahmed, who attacked a security detail of the Governor while attempting to arrest him, said he knew that by his action, he had run fowl of the laws of Lagos State.

    Akinlabi, who hails from Oyo State, said Wednesday was the first time he would be committing such traffic offence.

    The offenders have since been handed over to the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences for prosecution.

  • Ambode: we’ll utilise tax payers’ money well

    Ambode: we’ll utilise tax payers’ money well

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday assured Lagosians of his determination to judiciously utilise tax payers’ money for the well-being of the people.

    The governor spoke at the ninth town hall meeting on Security organised by the State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), with the theme: “Refreshing Our Security Model”.

    He said his commitment to the people’s safety was non-negotiable, adding that security and a friendly investment climate remained his administration’s top priorities.

    The governor said the town hall meeting was to continually create a platform for generation of ideas and solutions to confront security challenges facing the state, and to reassure security agencies of government’s commitment to their success.

    Explaining that the N4.8 billion recently used to equip the police came from tax payers’ money, Ambode said under his administration such funds generated from the public would be accounted for and utilised to protect lives.

    “What we have done in the last two weeks that totalled N4.8 billion, actually there is no kobo out of it that came from the Security Trust Fund, it actually came from you, because there is nothing called government money, it is tax payers’ money.

    “Those of us who have been paying our taxes, we have actually apportioned part of the money you paid to purchase those equipment donated to the police.

    “So we say to you, it is not our money, it is your money and it is only being used judiciously to protect ourselves,” the governor said.

    Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the equipment donated to the police, adding that the command had been challenged and motivated by the gesture to do more.

    Owoseni, who assured residents of the determination of the police to adequately and swiftly prevent and respond to crime, said 4,789 motorcycles were impounded.

    Inaugurating the LSSTF board, Governor Ambode said his administration would continue to make Lagos safe and secure for law abiding citizens.

    The governor assured that he would not relent in efforts to adequately equip security agencies in the state to confront challenges, just as he vowed to always support the board of the LSSTF.

    LSSTF Chairman Oye Hassan-Odukale lamented that years of under-funding the police and other security agencies by successive administrations left a huge deficit that would require a yearly injection of at least N1 trillion for the next 30 years by the Federal Government.

     

  • Ambode okays flyover for Ajah, Abule-Egba

    Ambode okays flyover for Ajah, Abule-Egba

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the construction of flyover for two of the state’s high-density traffic zones, Ajah round about and Abule-Egba junction.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said the two projects were approved by the State Executive Council and had been duly awarded to contractors for immediate action.

    He said the projects would be completed within 16 months as part of the governor’s ongoing road infrastructure projects across the state. He said the Ajah round about would be undertaken simultaneously with the rehabilitation of Freedom Road in Lekki.

    According to him, the Ajah flyover would have a solar-powered signalised intersection to ease traffic.

    He added that the upgrade of Freedom Road would ease traffic considerably for vehicles using the Third Roundabout to connect Lekki through the Admiralty Way.

    “The construction of the reinforced concrete dual-carriage flyover bridge at Abule Egba junction will equally bring succour to millions of commuters using the Lagos -Abeokuta Expressway daily when completed,” he said.

    Ayorinde said the Abule -Egba flyover would also have signalised intersection under it to service Oko-Oba and other link roads within the axis.

    He said that the state government had also awarded contracts for the rehabilitation and upgrade of strategic arterial/inner roads in Epe Local Government Area of the state.

  • Acid: Ambode settles task force man’s bills

    Acid: Ambode settles task force man’s bills

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has paid the medical bills of an acid victim, Akude Silas.

    Silas, a para-military official attached to the Lagos State Task Force,  was attacked last week by hoodlums in a moving vehicle at Oshodi-Oke when they poured the acid on him. He was controlling traffic when the incident occured.

    Represented by Special Adviser on Environment, Babatunde Hunpe at the victim’s Ikorodu residence yesterday, the governor directed Commissioner for Health to immediately pick  his medical bills.

    The task force chairman, Olubukola Abe, a Superintendent of Police, said the governor’s gesture would go a long way to boost the morale of his officers.

    Silas said he was not deterred by what happened to him in the course of his duty, adding that the governor has demonstrated that  life of every member of the public is important to him.