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Tag: Ambode

  • Why we settled for local contractors on 114 roads, by Ambode

    Why we settled for local contractors on 114 roads, by Ambode

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday justified the decision of his administration to engage indigenous contractors in building 114 inner roads.

    He spoke at the inauguration of two roads in Oshodi-Isolo as part of the inauguration of 114 roads across the 20 local governments (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs).

    The governor said indigenous contractors were engaged to boost job creation and encourage the local construction industry to grow.

    He said: “Our people have been yearning for development of inner roads to complement the main road, and the construction of the 114 inner roads will stimulate the economy and encourage commerce within the inner communities, and we are encouraging our indigenous contractors with the project.

    “We have to encourage our indigenous contractors because whether we like it or not, that is one of the ways to generate employment, and when we engage them, there will be money in circulation.

    Speaking on the road deficit, the governor said on the average, about N10 trillion is needed in the next 10 years to bridge the gap in road construction.

    Also yesterday, residents in Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA) trouped out in their hundreds to join Ambode in inaugurating a 660-metre road in the area.

    Amid jubilation and melodious songs from the local band, the Special Assistant on Primary Health Centres, Femi Onanuga, who represented the governor, after the inauguration, staged a walk on the Ademola Street, off Awolowo road, project.

    One-time Lagos State Commissioner for Finance Olawale Edun, and Sole Administrator of the LCDA Felix Ona-Olawale, also took part in the walk.

    Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu was represented by four high chiefs.

    Also present were member, House of Assembly Gbolahan Olusegun Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2); Executive Secretary, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA Toyin Caxton-Martins; party leader Kola Pelegrino, women, community leaders, and  clerics.

    The governor, during the unveiling, reiterated his administration’s commitment to running an inclusive government.

    He assured the residents that more community infrastructure would be delivered in the next one year.

    Managing Director of the company engaged for the road project, Infranet Limited, Kunle Ogunbufunmi, also witnessed inauguration.

    The LCDA sole administrator, in a chat, said: “More than before, the road would contribute massively to the economic landscape of the area.

    “The street can now be used as an alternative route to Falomo area to ease traffic on Awolowo way. Residents can now park cars on their premises because the drainages were not covered before.”

  • 114 LCDA roads: Ambode commissions Owutu, Ojediran projects

    114 LCDA roads: Ambode commissions Owutu, Ojediran projects

    As part of his grassroots development programmes, Governor Akinwumi Ambode yesterday, inaugurated two roads at Taiwo Molajo, Owutu and Ojediran/Shopitan Street, Ipakodo in Ikorodu West LCDA.

    The roads are among the 114 Local Government roads and street light projects being unveiled. Residents of communities were elated and showed enthusiasm as the two major roads in their areas received face-lift.

    Speaking at the event, the governor, who was represented by Abiodun Tobun, reiterated his administration’s commitment in ensuring a system  were the wishes and aspirations of the citizen were realised.

    He said:  “We started this journey by asking our communities, through the Community Development Associations (CDA), to identify the roads that need improvement in their areas. We received hundreds of request and picked two per each local government to rehabilitate across the state. To ensure transparency and accountability, we established a bidding process in line with international best practices, which has produced 89 indigenous contractors.”

    “Today, we celebrate the translation of that vision to action, the transformation of our dream to reality. Across the length and breadth of our state, a new Lagos is emerging at the centre and environs.”

    Continuing, Ambode said 56.1km standard new roads were constructed across the state, 112km of walkways and covered drainages, and over 56km of independently-powered streetlights to enhance the security of neighbourhoods and elevate Lagos as the megacity of shimmering lights and economy.

    Sole administrator, Ikorodu West LCDA, Segun Anifowoshe, praised Ambode for his resourcefulness and doggedness, adding that local governments have reaped the dividends of democracy.

    Anifowoshe said:  “The two projects are first in the series of many to come. I therefore urge the residents of these areas to put into good use, these infrastructures that have been provided. We should monitor and protect them from vandalism that can lead to deterioration. Let us avoid dumping of refuse in the drainages breaking and digging of the roads for water and other works should be avoided. Our roads should not be used as automobile workshops and other vices that can damage them.”

  • Ambode asks councils to list 288 roads for construction

    Ambode asks councils to list 288 roads for construction

    LAGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has directed sole administrators of the 57 councils to submit 288 additional roads (four from each  council) for construction  from 2017.

    The development followed the delivery of 114 roads constructed by Ambode’s administration across the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas.

    The Sole Administrator of Igando/Ikotun LCDA, Mr. Samuel Ajayi, broke the news yesterday at the inauguration of Osunba Street and Balogun Olanrewaju Road – two of the 114 roads.

    Ajayi, while confirming the receipt of the directive from Ambode, said the development was unprecedented in the history of Lagos.

    But speaking through his representatives at the inauguration of some of the roads, Ambode warned residents to resist the temptation to convert any of the 114 roads to venue for commercial purposes or parking lot for abandoned vehicles.

    The governor said conversion of the roads to other uses other than for motorists would reduce their lifespan.

    At the commissioning of Seriki Kemberi Road and Alhaji Rasak Street in Iba LCDA, the governor was represented by Mr. Oladele Adekanye, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos Chapter.

    He lamented that some landlords did not set aside space within their structures for parking, saying: “Rather, they ask their tenants to park on the road.

    “Allowing heavy static load on the road will reduce its lifespan. Good roads embellish the community. It would reduce flooding and residents would be able to live comfortably.”

    Likewise, at the inauguration of Ojediran Shopitan and Taiwo Molajo streets both in Ikorodu West LCDA, Ambode said illegal breaking of roads, usage as automobile workshop, as well as refuse dump must stop henceforth.

    Many other roads were also inaugurated in other councils.

    Lagos APC hails governor over inner roads

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed Governor Akinwumi Ambode for inaugurating 114 inner roads in Lagos as well as starting the building of others.
    APC said by this development, Ambode has demonstrated his commitment to ensure that Lagos is opened up in furtherance of his resolve to make it a stronger business hub and the nation’s centre of excellence.
    Its spokesman, Joe Igbokwe, in a statement, said the governor has, within a very short period, developed Lagos better.
    It urged Lagosians to continue to support Ambode as he work to expand the potentials of the state through rapid growth.
    “We note that the 114 new inner roads came with such wonderful features like walkways, drainage systems and street lights, which add to the infrastructural wealth of Lagos.
    “We note also that the construction of the roads created thousands of jobs for Lagosians and Nigerians and the construction of the newer roads will create more jobs for Lagosians. It is impressive to note that the massive construction came at a time the country is passing through economic recession, which says of the staying power of Lagos and its capacity to lead the revival of the country’s economic from sole dependence on oil.
    “When our party was putting forward Governor Ambode to replace the high performing former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, we did state that he possessed the capability to take Lagos further from the enviable heights Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Fashola regimes took it.
    “We are happy that we had been proved very right by the rapid and frenzied manner Governor Ambode is executing development projects and prosecuting a Lagos that is now expanding and is presently the fifth largest African economy.”

     

     

  • Ambode to address forum

    Lagos sTATE Governor, Mr. AkinwunmiAmbode is billed to open  this year’s  Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum. The event is scheduled for September 29 in Lagos.

    In a statement, AWIEF Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mrs. Irene Ochem, also confirmed the participation of the state as official partner and host.

    Mrs. Ochem said a major highlight of the event has been occasioned by AWIEF’s partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB).

    The AfDB in a special dedicated high-level panel will be unveiling the modalities and details of African Development Bank’s USD-300 million Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) programme.

    “AWIEF is committed to not just talking about the issues affecting African women’s economic empowerment but, most importantly, AWIEF is committed to taking action and engaging in programs and initiatives through AWIEF NGO and social enterprise that will create that positive impact and actually change the African Woman’s economic fortune for the better,” she said.

    The event is holding on September 29th and 30th at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

  • Ambode harps on planning for grassroots development

    Ambode harps on planning for grassroots development

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said the role of local government planners in the physical and economic development of the grassroots areas cannot be overlooked.

    He also saidthe local government system in Nigeria needs reconfiguration for effective physical development, especially in the area of financing.

    Governor Ambode spoke at the public presentation of a book Purpose-driven Plan: A 10-year Epe Local Government Development Plan, 2015-2025 at the Remi Tinubu Hall, Yaba Local Council Development Area Secretariat, Panti Lagos.

    Represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Health care, Dr Owolabi O. Onanuga, Governor Ambode noted that the local governments as agents of grassroots development have been discovered to play the main roles of linking popular participation; legitimacy and democratic governance.

    He stressed the need for every local government to have qualified planners in their planning department. He congratulated Adebola Benjamin Adeyemi on his efforts to bring the importance of planning in the local governments to the front burner, so that people would understand that the issue of planning­- whether physical or economic-does not begin and end at the state or federal levels of governance.

    In his welcome speech, the Director of Planning and Chairman Lagos State Conference of Local Government Planners, Mr. Olalere Olanrewaju said Mr Adeyemi’s book on local government planning couldn’t have come at a better time than now that the state government has shown commitment to the development of the grassroots where majority of the people live.

    He said the author had demonstrated sincere dedication to the need for local governments to key into the state government’s cardinal development plans such as economic, infrastructural, environmental, revenue enhancement and social development.

    Mr. Olanrewaju affirmed that “data analysis and collection management is not only for major effective planning but also a means for effective revenue generation for efficient, adequate and proper planning which have been the fortune of Epe Local Government Area whose revenue generation base was N2.8 million between January and June last  year.

    ”Subsequent to production and implementation of the data analysed by Planner Bola Adeyemi, Epe Local Government is now generating N11 million for the corresponding period-January to June this year.

    “This was achieved by the singular efforts of Planner Bola Adeyemi and his team…who is now the Director of Planning and Head of Administration of Oriade Local Council Development Area.”

    Reviewing the book, the Director of Planning and Head of Administration Ijede Local Council Development Area, Mr Adewunmi Ogunbambi noted that development planning is a burning issue.

    “At this point,” he said, “when we intend to move Lagos forward, governance is shifting to the local governments.”

    Continuing, he said: “It is auspicious that a book of this nature is being presented now. As the immediate past president and forerunner of Conference of Local Government Planners, his efforts to integrate the state and local government systems cannot be overlooked.

    “Even though the author had risen to the post of Head of Administration in a local government, his passion and zeal for planning is still burning.”

    Mr. Ogunbambi stressed that only few books have been written on development at the local government level, especially one dedicated to the development of a specific local government-Epe.

    He noted that the author might have written the book in order to bring to the fore its objectives which include a more realistic government growth in internally generated revenue, to tilt capital investment funds towards government key priority areas and to improve fiscal discipline. He described the book as “a compact handy and detailed compendium of statistics of the local government.

    The book is a very useful handbook and it’s recommended for the executive and management of local governments, students, researchers and prospective investors in Epe.”

    He congratulated the author on his tenacity in writing a book that articulates the current benchmark of the local government.

  • Ambode to visit Oshodi-Isolo LGA

    Ambode to visit Oshodi-Isolo LGA

    OSHODI-Isolo Local Government Area in Lagos State will on Thursday host Governor AkinwunmiAmbode as part of activities to inaugurate some projects in the area. The governor, who will be special guest of honour, will inaugurate two roads in Ogunyinka and Kalejaiye streets, a library named after the late BekoRansome-Kuti, the late AlhajaAbibatAshabiMogaji Legislative building and a crèche/day care centre during the visit. He is expected to give out free school uniforms and exercise books to pupils.

    In an interview, the Sole Administrator of the LG, AlhajiTaofeed Adebayo Taiwo, appealed to citizens in the area to come out en masse to welcome their governor. He urged them to partner the government to enjoy the dividends of democracy, noting that their involvement would bring in peace.

    Taiwo said he runs an open administration that ensures that before any policy is rolled out, the people must have made an input into it. “We don’t lord our policies on the people. We involve them,” he said, adding that this had led to relative peace in the area.

    He said the Ambode administration is people-friendly, urging the people to key into it to enable them enjoy the dividends of democracy. He praised Ambode for selecting Oshodi as a world-class transport interchange centre that will cost the state government $70million, saying that on completion, the centre this would attract investments to the area.

    On the projects,Taiwo said the council did not spend a dime on them. He thanked some of the sponsors, especially HonKehindeBamigbetan, Special Adviser to the Governor on Community and Communications, for their donations, adding that others were projects of his predecessors which had been paid for but were not completed by them. He noted that the donations were aimed at supporting parents and awards to ameliorate the hardship caused by the economic recession.

     

  • NURTW chief hails Ambode

    NURTW chief hails Ambode

    Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos Chapter, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, has praised Governor Akinwunmi Amobode for consistently finding solutions to gridlock. He promised that the union and its members would support the government.

    Agbede spoke on the inauguration of the Ketu- Alapere slip road. He said the slip road would immensely help to reduce hours spent in traffic by commercial drivers

    “We are very grateful that the government has provided this facility. It will help our members.  Already, we have mandated our members in Ketu- Alapere axis to ensure that the facility is judiciously used.

    “We always engage our members in education and public enlightenment programmes. We equally send our Task Force men on the road to ensure that our people comply with traffic regulation. Our men are always at major junctions and intersections in the state to assist law enforcement agencies in controlling traffic, especially during peak periods. We are partners in progress with this administration”

  • Ambode sacks LASEMA chief

    Ambode sacks LASEMA chief

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has sacked the General Manager of the State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Michael Akindele.

    The governor also announced Mr. Tiamiyu Muyiwa Adesina as Akindele’s replacement.

    This was contained in a letter signed by the state’s Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, on September 14.

    Although the letter did not state any reason for Akindele’s sack, a state government official said the move was part of the governor’s quest to reposition emergency management operations in the state.

     

  • Ambode is workers friendly, says Lagos NUT

    Ambode is workers friendly, says Lagos NUT

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Lagos has commended Govern or Akinwunmi Ambode, for being considerate toward the plight of civil servants.

    The state deputy chairman of NUJ, Mr Adeshina Adedoyin, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday

    He said that the governor had been prompt in the payment of the civil servants salaries in addition to holding quarterly meetings with the labour unions.

    He added that Ambode had taken the initiative to clear the backlog of promotions.

    “The governor of Lagos state has been prompt in the payment of workers’ salaries in the state.

    “He is the only governor that has organised a quarterly meetings with the labour unions to find out about their challenges and the way forward.

    “In the time past, we would write to the governor asking for a meeting with us but it was rarely honoured.

    “Ambode is the only one who has taken such initiative maybe because he was once a civil servant and knows the plight of workers,’’ he said.

    The labour leader said this was an example that governors should emulate him, especially those who had treated teachers unfairly.

    The chairman said that most teachers in the country were either paid half salary or not paid at all.

    He said that the attitude of government officials was affecting the educational system in the state, adding that no nation could develop with the level of education in the country.

  • Kudos for Ambode over completion of 114 roads

    Kudos for Ambode over completion of 114 roads

    Traditional rulers, lawmakers and All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftains, among others, have lauded Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, for the completion of the 114 roads in the 57 areas. Two road were constructed in each council.

    Ambode on Saturday bagan a week-long commissioning of the roads, initiated by his administration. The governor also pledged to begin the construction of another 114 roads soon.

    Ambode inaugurated the Ketu-Alapere modern lay-by and 700 meters concretised slip road, designed to last for 25 years, which comes with horticulture, artworks, walkways, covered drains and street lights.

    Praising the governor, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom, Oba Kabiru Shotebi said he has vindicated APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu with his performance.

    The monarch said Ambode deserved to be commended for the massive developmental projects and other initiatives aimed at making life simpler, easy and better for the people.

    Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, said the completion of the roads was a great achievement in not just the history of Lagos but Nigeria, adding that Governor Ambode has proven himself to be a miracle worker and a silent achiever, who is committed to the development of the State.

    “When Asiwaju Bola Tinubu came, he laid a solid foundation in Lagos State and Governor Babatunde Fashola built on it and made tremendous progress. Now, Governor Ambode is acting as a miracle worker in government and moving the State forward,” Oba Agoro said.

    Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Sanai Agunbiade and federal legislator, Babajimi Benson said the roads were a confirmation that the APC government in the state was concerned about the people and infrastructural transformation.

    An APC Chieftain, Bashorun Jaiyesimi said the completion confirmed the genuine intention of Ambode to transform the State.

    He expressed optimism that the Alapere Lay-by and Slip Road would go a long way to reduce traffic gridlock on the toll gate end of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and other adjoining routes.

    Jaiyesimi congratulated Tinubu, former Senator representing Lagos West, Ganiyu Solomon and other party chieftains for supporting Ambode after the primary election, which produced the Governor, saying that the result of the support was the massive people-oriented projects being.