Some residents of Epe, a coastal community, have praised the Lagos State Government for stimulating growth and promoting tourism in the hinterland.
Epe lies on the north bank of the Lagos Lagoon and has road links to Ijebu-Ode in Ogun and Ikorodu in Lagos State.
In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Epe, the residents lauded the government’s initiatives for attracting investment to the area.
The development, they said, would boost tourism, culture, agriculture, the arts and entertainment in the area.
A resident, Mr Niyi Musa, noted that the modern roads being constructed were opening up the area, adding: “God has made Governor Akinwunmi Ambode our messiah; he is a true son of the soil and he has proved to be one with the development going on in the community.”
Another resident, Mr Lateef Sodiq, said the construction and expansion of roads, upgrading of jetties, waterfront infrastructure to boost tourism, and building of low-cost housing estates were giving the town a facelift.
“For many years, Epe has been neglected by the government and I think the governor deserves commendation for bringing development to us.”
For Mrs Risikat Balogun, a civil servant, the ongoing massive development has made many to relocate from Lagos to Epe.
“The area is fast becoming a gateway to investment opportunities for local and international tourists and investors.
“There has been an influx of investors and visitors to the town recently; Epe people are welcoming and hospitable and are ready to live with them,” she said.
Mr Kunle Adesada said property and land were appreciating because of the opening up the coastal town.
“Many families and individuals have been selling their land at reasonable prices for the development of the community and to attract investors and people willing to settle in Epe.
“The economy of the community will recieve a boost without doubts, while the state government will be able to generate more revenue from the area and also create employment for the people,” he said.
Epe boasts of a 100-year-old colonial office, a private university — St. Augustine Catholic University, forest resources notably the forest of black ants, flourishing animal and fish markets.
The first Christian mission school — St. Michael CMS was established in the town in 1894, while the Government Muslim School was founded in 1898.
The construction of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company located near Epe is scheduled for operation in 2018.
Tag: Ambode
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Kudos for Ambode on Epe’s development
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Lawyer writes Ambode, police over land grabbers’ threat
A Lagos lawyer, Gbenga Ojo, has urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to probe the release of suspected land grabbers by the Task Force on Environment and Special Offences Enforcement Unit.
In a petition to the governor, which was also sent to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, the lawyer said his client, Chief Ishau Ogunlana, head of Aderoruwa Family of Agofunloye, Idi Orogbo Village, first wrote the governor last September 19 over “acts of criminal invasion” of the community by land speculators.
Ojo said the governor, as “a no-nonsense leader”, referred the petition to the chairman of the Task Force for action.
The lawyer said on January 17, the Task Force stormed the community and arrested some of the hoodlums stationed illegally on the land and recovered weapons such as guns and cutlasses from them.
The suspects, he said, were interrogated and sent to the Committee on Land Grabbing for evaluation, ahead of their arraignment in court.
“Unfortunately, the suspects and their backers made personal arrangements and clandestinely secured their release without any authority or directives of the chairman of the Task Force,” Ojo said.
The lawyer said the recovered weapons were still in custody of the Task Force while the suspects were at large.
“The hoodlums are regrouping with their full force to attack the community again,” Ojo wrote in the letter to the governor, signed by a lawyer in his firm, Yusuf Lawal.
He described the situation as “worrisome “, saying it negated the state’s efforts at tackling the manace of land grabbers.
According to the lawyer, the development was “enough to trigger immediate investigation before the situation embarrasses the office of the executive governor.”
In the September 19 letter to Ambode, Ojo alleged that the community was invaded by armed thugs to suppress a valid court judgment in suit no IKD/2/2007.
The Ikorodu High Court had on January 14, 2011 given a judgment in Ogunlana’s favour.
It held: “It is hereby declared that the defendant (Ogunlana) is the head of the Adeyoruwa family of Agunfoye, Idiorogbo, in Igbogbo area of Lagos State.
“It is hereby declared that all sales or transfers of interest in respect of portions of the Adeyoruwa family land carried out by the claimants without the consent of the defendant as family head are illegal, void and of no effect.
“It is hereby ordered that the defendant is entitled to the immediate possession of all the portions of the Adeyoruwa family land sold by the claimants without the consent of the defendant as the head of family.”
Justice M. A. Savage, in a ruling on July 2, 2015, held that the judgment remained valid, binding and subsisting until otherwise pronounced by a higher court.
The judge also granted an ex-parte application for leave to levy execution of the judgment by taking possession of the land.
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Ambode appoints three perm secs
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the appointment of three permanent secretaries.
A statement yesterday by the Acting Head of Service, Mrs. Folasade Adesoye listed them as Temidayo O. Erinle who will oversee the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure; Mrs. Adetutu Abiola Liadi, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Dr. Atinuke Muynat Onayiga, Primary Healthcare Board. -
We’ll use arts, entertainment to fight recession – Ambode
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Friday said his administration will continue to harness the massive potentials and creativity that abound in the arts and entertainment sector not only to boost the State’s economy but also to lead the drive to get the nation out of recession.
The Governor, who spoke at the maiden Rasheed Gbadamosi Art Exhibition, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, said there was no better time for progressive governments to begin to look towards the arts and entertainment sector to create jobs for the teeming youths, which according to him can go a long way to reflate the economy.
He said, “If we are going to beat recession, the real future of Lagos and Nigeria is what you have seen tonight and that’s where we are going.
“In a situation where we have been unable to tap the energy in creative arts, I can tell you for free that the real future of Lagos and the economy generally in Nigeria is in the creative arts, entertainment and in services. Like I have always said, we have an end to white collar jobs, so the future and now is for those who are creative, innovative and those who can use their energy and talent to create employment”.
Governor Ambode said his administration believes that no nation or state can achieve its full potential without adequate attention to matters of heritage and culture or without due encouragement for the teeming youthful population that sees and seeks opportunities in the creative industries.
“Creativity is the most valuable asset in any progressive society. Therefore, progressive governments must embrace creativity. We are committed, and we must reward contributors of creative ideas with incentives.
“This is why we are keenly interested in further development of our creative talents; in providing them with support and opportunities to be engaged; in helping to create platforms such as today’s to excel and compete globally and in showing to the world that Lagos is more than ready to announce its arrival as the continent’s frontline destination of choice that gives arts and culture their due,” the Governor said.
He said with the Arts Exhibition, aside seeking to immortalise the sterling contributions of the late Co-Chair of the Lagos @ 50 Committee, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, presented a veritable platform for his administration to show its passion for the creative arts especially by encouraging young and budding talents.
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Lagos to construct 181 LG roads
Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, has said a total of 181 roads will be constructed across the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
A total of 114 roads were constructed in the state last year.
Ambode made the declaration at the First 2017 Quarterly Town Hall Meeting, the six in the series, held at Ajelogo Housing Scheme, Mile 12, on Thursday.
He said there was need to increase the roads to 181 this year considering that some of the identified roads do not connect to major roads.
The governor said, “Majority of the questions asked are on roads because of the success recorded with the 114 roads last year when we did two roads per local government. I want to pronounce here that you should watch out next week in the newspapers, we are advertising 181 roads which would be done in all our local governments.
“What we have found out is that if we decide to continue with two, some of those roads are not linking each other to the main road. So most likely you would see that if we are supposed to do some road in some local governments, it would only make economic sense if there is a linkage.
“So you would see in the advert that some local governments would have like three, some would have four roads, but the average is that if you divide 181 by 57 that would be a minimum of three roads from each local government.”
He said the choice of the roads to benefit from the initiative had been made by the local governments in conjunction with the engineers to ensure they have economic importance.
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Ambode, a worthy alumnus, say UNILAG alumni
University of Lagos Alumni, Lagos State chapter, has praised Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s performance.
In a statement signed by the Lagos State Chairman of the alumni Dr. Lukumon Adeoti, the group said it identified with the numerous landmark achievements of Ambode, adding that his performances epitomised the philosophy that UNILAG is reputed for.
Adeoti, an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences, said the association and UNILAG, were proud to have produced the number one citizen of the state, with his visionary leadership cutting across education, agriculture, wealth, job creation, security and infrastructural development.
The statement reads: “The governor is a true Akokite and has demonstrated that the knowledge he gained from his alma mater benefits and guides him as he is taking Lagos State to the Promised Land. It is instructive to note that the massive infrastructural development of Akinwumni Ambode, particularly his Light up Lagos project, reconstruction of new and dilapidated roads has eased traffic and movement of people.
“In the agricultural sector, the governor has ensured that Lagos is one of the rice-producing states in Nigeria. Besides, Lagos now enjoys an enabling environment where businesses thrive and individuals and properties are secured.
“The alumni are using this medium to appeal to the governor to participate in the chapter’s program because charity begins at home, noting that the alumni share the governor’s vision in the areas of education and youth development.’’
The body urged Akinwunmi and other prominent individuals who graduated from the institution but reside in Lagos to make out time to attend the chapter’s various activities.
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Music artistes pay Ambode ‘thank you’ visit
•”We’ll increase Lagos GDP through entertainment” -Governor
You would think a mid-day concert was about to take place at the Lagos State Secretariat when music artistes of different genres livened up Alausa on Tuesday. But they were there to say ‘thank you’ to a man who has given them a sense of belonging in the state’s social sphere.
The artistes, who were full of praise for the state’s helmsman, were among those that performed at the One Lagos Fiesta (OLF) last December.
They include Queen Salawa Abeni, Adewale Ayuba, Tiwa Savage, Adekunle Gold, Sir Shina Peters and Sound Sultan.
Others are Folarin Falana (Falz), M.I Abaga, Patoranking, Obesere, Tony Tetuila, Dr Sid, Idris Abdulkareem, Aramide, CDQ, Sulaimon ‘Atawewe’ Adio, Reekado Banks, Humblesmith and Dammy Krane.
The OLF, an annual end of the year revue put together by the State Government, held simultaneously in five different locations across the State from December 24, 2016 to January 1, 2017, and it was adjudged to be very successful with participation of A-list artistes from different genres of music.
Ambode, while receiving the artistes, revealed plans of his administration to promote talents and leverage on the vast economic opportunities in entertainment, tourism and arts sectors to grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state.
He noted that the creative industry remained a veritable platform to grow the economy, and that government would tap into it and use it to positively engage the bulging youths in the state.
The governor, who thanked the artistes for their partnership with the State Government, said the OLF was a platform put together by his administration to majorly create awareness about the potentials inherent in the entertainment industry, especially in using it to grow the economy and positively develop talents that abound in the country.
He said, according to statistics, the state recorded the lowest crime rate during the period of the OLF, saying that the artists contributed significantly in keeping the city secured and scale up the international rating of the state as a safe place.
According to the governor, “We have a bulging youth population dynamics in Lagos. 66 per cent of our population are below the age of 35 and if two third are of below 35, it means there is an economy in that age bracket that government is not seeing. The OLF was used to test run how to bring people together.
“The issue now is beyond OLF, how do we now take that opportunity to become a catalyst for this partnership? On my part, I want to reiterate my commitment. This is an area I love which is underutilized for the societal development of the country.
“Government is now willing to use your industry to grow its GDP because so far entertainers are working, we would have more visitors coming to Lagos; they will stay in our hotels; they will buy clothes; they will go out in the night and buy our drinks and the ultimate thing is that more taxes come in for the state.
“So, there is a concentric cycle around the energy of entertainers and so what I want is a structured framework. What is it that we should do as government to grow the industry? Why should we go and be doing video shoot in South Africa for instance? I want a win-win partnership not just to use artistes and dump them till another December. I want a year-round partnership that is built around a framework,” he said.
Governor Ambode also tasked artistes to come up with a structured framework to grow the economy, while government will provide infrastructures and initiatives to help the sector.
“The challenge for our artistes now is to come up with a framework of how government can intervene. We are willing to support and we are willing to draw up a programme to support you but how do you want to fuse into that to make Lagos the entertainment hub in Africa? That is the challenge but I want to thank you for honoring us,” he said.
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Ambode’s N812.9b ‘budget of consolidation’
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has signed the 2017 Appropriation Bill into law. The budget has an array of projects planned to impact on the lives of Lagosians. Miriam Ekene-Okoro looks at the highlights of the budget and what it portends for residents.
THERE are indications that 2017 holds so much promises for Lagosians. That was the consensus of observers, after going through the details of the 2017 budget, which was signed into law by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
The signing of the budget into law exactly 41 days after it was presented to the House of Assembly for approval suggests that Ambode is leaving no one in doubt about his renewed quest to hit the ground running and consolidate on the infrastructural development that has become synonymous with his 19-month old administration.
Considering the array of projects contained in the N812.998bn budget, there is no doubt that, if well implemented, it will improve the vibrant economy of the state and make life more comfortable for Lagosians.
Some of the projects include; construction of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road from Oshodi, Agric-Isawo-Owotu-Arepo Road in Ikorodu, Igbe-Igbogbo Phase II- Bola Tinubu Way in Ikorodu, Ijegun Imore Phase II Amuwo in Ojo axis, Oke-Oso-Araga-Poka in Epe, Epe-Poka-Mojoda in the Epe axis and the completion of the Abule-Egba, Ajah and Pen Cinema flyovers.
Ambode said the budget will be successfully implemented to consolidate on the achievements of his administration. He said emphasis would be on the development of physical infrastructure, while social sectors, especially health, education, youth and social development, would get adequate attention.
Giving the key components of the budget, he said the recurrent expenditure would gulp N300.535b, while N512.464b would be dedicated to capital expenditure, representing a Capital/recurrent ratio of 63 per cent to 37 per cent.
According to the governor, road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance are major highlights of the budget, adding that the idea is to focus road projects that will open up the hinterlands, improve connectivity in the state and reduce travel time.
Another aspect of the 2017 budget is that government intends to enter into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to execute some of the projects. Roads that would be done under PPP scheme include: Oke Oso-Itoikin dualisation project in the Epe axis, Okokomaiko-Seme Road project in Badagry axis and Ikorodu-Agbowa-Itoikin-Ijebu Ode Road project in Ikorodu axis. The governor also disclosed that the Phase II of the 114 Local Government Roads Projects, as well as, the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge would kick off during the year.
Ambode said the budget will consolidate on the modest milestones recorded so far and that focus will be on key areas of infrastructure, economic, social security and sustainable environment.
Not only is the governor optimistic that the national economy would recover from recession, the state’s 2016 budget performance, which stood at 78 per cent, is also a precursor of what 2017 would be.
He said the commitments of the administration included prudent financial management, fiscal discipline and equitable allocation of resources for the general good.
But, he was also quick to appeal to residents to cooperate towards the successful implementation of the budget through prompt tax payment.
The Commissioner for Finance, Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, who gave the breakdown, said the total revenue is estimated at N642.848 billion with a deficit financing of N170.151 billion.
He explained that N476.309 billion, representing 74 per cent of the total revenue, will be generated internally, while N166.539 billion, representing 26 per cent, is expected from the federal allocation, including the 13 per cent derivation.
Ashade said the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) is expected to generate N360 billion, which is equivalent to 75 per cent of the total internal generated revenue, adding that the N170.151 billion deficit will be funded through a N100 billion bond and a combination of internal and external loans.
He said: “We intend to scale up the current two per cent revenue gross domestic product (GDP) ratio, to five per cent in 2017 and also bring in more people from the informal sector into the tax net, as well as adoption of an automated single billing system.
“We shall maintain zero tolerance to incidence of under declaration of income by tax payers in accordance with relevance laws.”
On sectoral breakdown, Economic Affairs had the lion share with a total of N296.717 billion, representing 36.50 per cent, while Social Protection had the lowest estimate of N6.180 billion, representing 0.76 per cent.
Others include: General Public Service, N207.155billion, representing 25.48 per cent, Public Order N39.722, Environment N56.569 billion, Housing and Community Amenities, N50.344 billion, Health N51.447, Recreation, Culture and Religion N12.419 billion and Education N92.445 billion.
Giving a sectoral breakdown of the 2017 budget estimates, Ashade said N205.85b was earmarked for General Public Services, representing 25.32 per cent of the budget. N36.43b to Public Order and Safety, representing 4.48 per cent, while Economic Affairs received a lion share of N295.84b, representing 36.39 per cent of the budget.
Ashade gave the breakdown of other sectors as: Environment 56.31b, representing 6.93 per cent; Health 57.29b (7.05 per cent); and Education N92.4b or 11.37 per cent of the budget.
The commissioner said the Budget would be funded from a total revenue estimate of N642.849b, while the balance of N170.150b would be sourced through a N100bn Bond Issuance programme and a combination of internal and external loans.
The N138.249b earmarked for road infrastructure will be used to complete the Abule-Egba overhead bridge, the Ajah bridge, continued massive road rehabilitation in partnership with the Local Governments/Local Council Development Areas. The fund will also be used for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road from Oshodi, the Agric-Isawo-Owutu-Arepo Road in Ikorodu, the Igbe-Igbogbo Phase II- Bola Tinubu Way in Ikorodu, the Ijegun Imore Phase II, the Amuwo in Ojo axis, the Oke-Oso-Araga-Poka in Epe, the Epe-Poka-Majoda in Epe and the Pen Cinema flyover, among others.
The N51.376bn budgeted for transportation will be use for the Blue Rail Line, advancement of 10-Lane Lagos-Badagry Expressway, construction of jetties and terminals (especially at Epe and Marina with shoreline protection) and procurement of ferries to improve water transportation and encourage tourism.
Ashade added: “The government is also committed to the expansion of Busa Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes in Lagos and we shall pay due attention to Oshodi – Abule Egba BRT Corridor. In the course of the 2017 financial year, we shall carry out fundamental reforms on all our modes of transportation – roads, water and the walkways. In this wise, a Public Transport Infrastructure Bond will be issued in the course of the year.”
On housing, he said the N50.290b investment would allow government to focus on affordable housing units through Rent-to-Own schemes in Badagry, Lagoon View Topo-Idale and Imota, while the total sum of N15.291b out of the allocation is committed for the completion of on-going housing estates in Sangotedo, Odo Nasa Agowa and Ikorodu Ibeshe.
The sum of N57.290b allocated to the health sector is for the continuous upgrading/renovation of health facilities and completion of on-going healthcare infrastructure, including MCCs, upgrading/renovation of primary healthcare centres, completion/equipping of Drug Quality Control Laboratory (DQCL), prevention of blindness/ special health projects, construction of specialist hospital, construction of Medical Park, among others.
In education, the N92.4b earmarked has been set aside for the rehabilitation/upgrading of public school buildings/facilities, continued provision of furniture for secondary schools, construction of new schools, schools improvement plan for secondary schools, provision of equipment for science laboratories, among others.
In the area of Science and Technology, Ashade said N11.006bn has been proposed for strategic information management, building and upgrade of IT infrastructure statewide, e-GIS land automation, single billing system and ease of payment for taxes, levies and other revenue items, as this would include Smart City project targeted at deploying technology to enhance security in the State and will also enhance our revenue generating efforts.
In the budget, N11.098b has been proposed for spending in the area of governance. Ashade said N1.250b out of the amount would be spent on various capacity building programmes, through the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, to expose public servants to both local and international trainings in order to equip them for their role in actualizing the Lagos State Development Plan 2012-2025.
The commissioner further explained that the sum of N3.8bn has been set aside for the 7.5 per cent government share to pension contribution and N7.15b for Pension Redemption Bond Fund-shortfall.
On women affairs, Ashade said N2.193bn has been proposed for various initiatives, such as upkeep and maintenance of skill acquisition centres, special poverty alleviation intervention programmes for women, construction/maintenance of skill acquisition centres and other poverty alleviation related projects at Isheri, Ibeshe, Eredo, among others.
The commissioner said the sum of N6.177bn has been proposed for the ongoing development of Lekki Free Zone, Industrial Park development, development of enterprise zones, Badagry Deep Sea Port, Eko Atlantic project and other areas.
A total of N9.457b has also been earmarked for the development of four mini stadia, upgrading of Teslim Balogun Stadium hostel, construction of 50 community youth recreation centres across the state and provision of sporting facilities in schools and local governments across the state. The sum of N18.181b has also been proposed for advancement of Adiyan Waterworks (phase II) and rehabilitation of mini waterworks all over the state and the improvement of water pipeline and reticulation.
In the tourism sector, N20.247b will provide for the Development of the Heritage centre for leadership (Lugard House), the Centre for Yoruba Culture & History (Lagos House), the J.K Randle Centre, transformation of the Onikan Museum, establishment of Museum for Art and Culture in Ikeja, the development of tourism hubs in Lagos-West and Lagos-East and the construction of five Cultural Theatres in Alimosho, Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu and Ikeja.
Also, the N4.795b earmarked for Agriculture and Food Security will cater for accelerated food expansion programme focused on rice production, animal husbandry and root crops, as well as collaborate with other states in the area of food production.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, is optimistic about the budget.
For him, the judicious implementation of the 2016 budget by Governor Ambode, against all odds, has gone a long way to confirm his financial expertise.
The Speaker, who was represented at the budget signing ceremony by the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Rotimi Olowo, said many laudable projects, including the construction of 114 roads across all the local governments within a year, were undertaken by the administration.
He said: “That means by 2023, just in eight years, he would have done over 1,000 roads in addition to what the Ministry of Works and Public Works Corporation is doing.
“Another area that is unbeatable is the ‘Light up Lagos’, which no doubt increases the economy of our mothers and fathers. That is in tandem with Article of Faith as entrenched in the 1999 Constitution, which summarily explains that the Governor is determined and committed.”
Governor Ambode is expected to implement the ‘Golden Jubilee Budget’ to consolidate on the modest achievements and propel the state to enviable heights. -
How Ambode is making Lagos richer
It is no longer news that Nigeria is facing dire economic challenges. Notable public figures from President Muhammadu Buhari to Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun have officially confirmed that the country is bedeviled with recession. This dire situation has affected not only the ability of the federal government but also the other tiers of government to deliver the dividends of democracy to the citizenry.
The economic challenges have been exacerbated by drop in crude oil production and fall in Naira value. The situation has particularly hampered the effectiveness of most state governments in carrying out state functions and paying workers’ wages as most of them depend solely on the handouts from the federal coffers.
However, the case of the Lagos State government has been a different one. The state has continued to execute developmental projects expanding the infrastructural profile of the state’s landscape and also instituting numerous welfare and empowerment schemes for its citizens.
This has come about through the astute efforts of the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, in effectively managing the resources of the state and even phenomenally heightening revenue drive. Last December, the governor had cause to publicly celebrate the success of the state regarding its internally generated revenue drive.
Speaking at a special evening of music and camaraderie held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, to usher in the Yuletide season, the governor announced that as of December 16, 2016 the state had raked in N287bn IGR for the year under review as against N268.2bn generated in 2015, despite the economic recession in the country. The governor hailed tax payers in the state for performing their civic obligations faithfully and said the taxes paid by the people had been judiciously utilised to upgrade infrastructures and provide various services.
Speaking on the significance of the event which featured performances by array of evergreen musicians and was attended by top political leaders, captains of industries, media executives, professionals in various fields, members of the diplomatic corps, among others, Ambode said the state government was greatly appreciative of the contributions of the people to the growth of the state in the year under review, adding that the event was principally to appreciate them.
About a month previously in November, the governor had given a hint of this feat at another public forum when he said the state has the potential to generate N50 billion monthly as internal revenue. Ambode made this known at a colloquium on the state of the nation, organised in Ikoyi, Lagos, by the Coalition of Nigerian Apostolic Leaders (CNAL), an affiliate and the Nigerian arm of the International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders.
The governor said that whatever the state was realising at that moment as internally generated revenue was only 65 per cent of what it could achieve. He added that the state government had the population and the youth to achieve the target and was working on critical policy objectives that would unlock the state’s potential to build a more vibrant economy.
While he noted that the economic challenges in Nigeria were affecting Lagos State, he said the state was, however, re-strategising. He observed that the economic challenges should provide a golden opportunity for the country to re-strategise to build a sustainable economy.
The consensus is that Governor Ambode has brought his chartered accountant expertise and many years of experience in public service to bear on the prudent management of the resources of the state, phenomenally increasing the internally generated revenue and making bold moves to adequately meet the growing needs of more than 22 million residents of the state. He has been able to reduce the cost of governance in the state by about N3 billion monthly.
The Fulbright scholar on assuming office took steps by first restructuring the state’s exposure to commercial banks, thereby saving the state about N3bn monthly in debt servicing. He also re-jigged the Lagos Internal Revenue Service by doing away with multiple taxations and instead expanded the tax net so that those hitherto not captured would be brought on board.
He sent to the House of Assembly the Employment Trust Fund Bill through which the newly created Ministry of Employment and Wealth Creation began to administer a yearly N6.3bn intervention soft loan to stimulate the economy, sustain small businesses and create jobs.
Also shortly after assuming office on May 29, 2015, he reviewed the 2015 budget. He forwarded a request to the Lagos State House of Assembly, asking that the budget be reordered to address the urgent need for infrastructural development in the state.
The House endorsed the request and signed it into law on September 23, 2015. The reordered budget comprised N19.7bn capital expenditure and N5.7b recurrent expenditure. Governor Ambode then promised aggressive construction of new roads across the length and breadth of the state. Four months later, the results of his promise were evident.
The governor publicly affirmed that the 114 roads constructed across the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas in the state have been impacting on the state economy. He said at the commissioning of one of the roads, the state’s “Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has started increasing.”
He has also taken far-reaching steps to improve the security situation of the state by extensively equipping security enforcement organ with modern gadgets and logistics support that have made them to be much more efficient and effective. He has also introduced a foolproof antidote to the perennial traffic gridlock in the state by expanding roads, constructing laybys and overhead bridges at various points of Lagos city and environs. He had also street lights at many locations in the state. All these measures have made the state to become largely conducive to business operations and growth.
For Ambode, attracting investors into the state is in line with his vision to make the state an investment hub in Africa. From his inaugural speech in May 2015, he gave an insight of his mission. His decision to set up an Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (Lagos Global), domiciled in his office clearly spelt out where his administration was headed.
When he received the Namibia President Dr. Hage Geingoband, on May 30, he sold the investments opportunities that abound in the state. Since then, the governor has met several groups of local and foreign investors including President of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, investors from Dubai, United States of America, as well as envoys from several European and Middle East countries. During such meetings, Governor Ambode promised an enabling environment for willing investors, stressing that his ambition is to improve on the ease of doing business in the state.
The Lagos State government under Ambode also entered into a historic deal with the city of Dubai. This deal will see Lagos emerge as the first Smart City in Africa. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU is essentially between the Lagos State Government and Dubai Holdings, LLC, owners of Smart City (Dubai), to develop a sustainable, smart, globally connected knowledge-based community that drive knowledge economy.
The governor has no doubt demonstrated his willingness to expand the economy of the state with the acceleration of the Lekki Free Trade Zone. He released N1.6 billion to accelerate infrastructure development within the Zone.
Another project that is dear to the heart of Governor Ambode is the Eko Atlantic City project, a multi-billion dollar undertaking sitting on over 10 million square metres and is expected to accommodate over 150,000 people who would reside there and another 250,000 who would work and commute within the city on a daily basis.
When he embarked on an extensive tour of the Eko Atlantic City project sometime ago, he expressed confidence that the project would not only boost the economy of the state, but also increase its internally generated revenue. Ambode pledged the total commitment of his administration towards the success of the project, saying it would go a long way to facilitate the quest to grow the state’s economy.
While commending the promoters of the project for their confidence in committing huge resources to the Nigerian economy, Ambode said their investment was a positive sign that the country remains the investment hub in Africa. -
Nigeria’s unity has no substitute, says Ambode
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday stressed that the unity of Nigeria must not be compromised, calling on the citizenry to continue to remember the fallen heroes, who laid their lives for the country’s unity.
Ambode, who spoke after performing the laying of wreath ceremony in commemoration of the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos, said the importance of the celebration could not be overemphasised since it served as a reminder of the great sacrifice put in by the fallen heroes.
The governor said: “For every January 15, we come together to remember our past heroes and the whole essence of being Nigerians is for us to live as a united country and some people have laid their lives for us to be here today.
“It is important that we must continue to celebrate them and remind ourselves that the unity of Nigeria has no substitute and that is the reason we do this every year.”
Ambode, who also spoke on the efforts of the state government at prioritising the welfare of legionnaires, said the government gave them Hilux vehicle and increased their monthly subvention.
“We have always taken care of legionnaires and I think we have the best welfare programme across the country. Just recently, we gave them Hilux vehicle for their operation and we have also increased the monthly subvention that we give to them.
“The whole essence is even beyond what we give to legionnaires, we should take proper care of all Lagosians and that is what we are doing,” he said.
Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Lagos State Chapter, Col Samuel Akande (Rtd) thanked Ambode for his continuous support to legionnaires, especially in the area of welfare to widows of fallen heroes and members of the association.
Ambode inspected the parade guard as well as the release of pigeons to signify peace.
Other notable personalities, who performed the laying of wreath ceremony include Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa; Chief Judge of Lagos State Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade; Oba of Lagos HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Service Commanders of military and para-military formations, among others.