The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Badagry

  • Couple, son missing in Lagos boat mishap

    Couple, son missing in Lagos boat mishap

    A couple and their son have been declared missing after a boat accident in Badagry, Lagos.

    The accident was said to have occurred in the early hours of the day when a passenger boat from Pathfinder rammed into a fibre boat coming from Iyafin.

    While the operators of the two boats were rescued alive by local divers, the family of three were yet to be found as at press time.

    Confirming the accident, the police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP) said efforts were ongoing to possibly rescue the victims.

    She said: “A canoe with passengers that took off from Pathfinder in Badagry heading to Gberefu, in Badagry collided with another fiber boat coming from Iyafin in Badagry. The two boats capsized and while the two operators are safe, the passengers are yet to be recovered.

    “Three persons suspected to be father; mother and son are suspected to be the missing passengers. Efforts are on with local divers to recover the passengers. While the case is under investigation.”

  • Sallah: Badagry tourist sites witness low patronage

    Tourist sites in Badagry on Monday witnessed low patronage of visitors, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    A NAN Correspondent who visited the Badagry Heritage Museum, the first storey building, Seriki Abass Museum and the Vkelete slave Market reports that there little or no turnout of tourists to these sites.

    The Seriki Abass Museum, usually besieged at occasions such as this by tourists, recorded a zero turnout between noon and 2:30 p.m.

    A tour guide, Mr Anago James, had blamed the low turnout on present economic recession.

    “The current recession in the country has resulted in low patronage of tour sites in the City and this is having a negative effect on tourism here.

    “Distance and competition may be other reasons for the low turnout because we now have other beautiful sites within Lagos that can be easily accessed,’’ he said.

    Mr Ezekiel Viavoni, the Tour-Guide for the First Storey building in the country, also decried the low turnout of tourists.

    “I have only received six tourists today and that is so unusual because during public holidays like this, I usually attend to over 60 tourists.

    “One of the reasons for the low turnout could hinge on the fact that schools are to resume immediately after the break, so, parents are perhaps careful with spending,’’ he said.

    Also, the Badagry Heritage Museum, had no tourists in sight just as the Vkelete slave Market, was closed down for renovation.

  • ‘Badagry’s feeling the impact of Gov Ambode’

    ‘Badagry’s feeling the impact of Gov Ambode’

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has been applauded for spreading development to Badagry and to all the nooks and cranies of the state.  This commendation was made by the former lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Lagos State, in the House of Representatives, Hon. Oladele Kosoko and Elder Enoch Akinola, a notable community leader in Badagry.

    They applauded the governor for making good his promise to advance development in the Badagry zone. Kosoko praised Ambode on his unique choice in holding the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in the ancient city so as to give the constituency a great sense of belonging. He said Ambode is on the right track in his development agenda, urging him to keep the fire burning.

    Kosoko made the observation in a chat with the media at the weekend, when he said, ‘’I was touched by that singular consideration by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to hold the State Executive Council meeting in our ancient city of Badagry. The governor said he would spare nothing to make Badagry a flashpoint for developmental projects in the state and he has already started with some of the road projects. He inspected the road under construction from Badagry Expressway to Whispering Palms Resort, where he promised that the contract for completion would be awarded and that has been done as I speak.

    ‘’What he did is giving my people a good sense of belonging and we appreciate it.  The governor has vowed that his administration would open up Badagry forever and we know he is one that keeps to his promise. He can be rest assured we will give him all the support he needs from us.” Akinola said “Ambode practices all-inclusive government and one with a listening ear,” just as he commended him for holding the EXCO meeting in Badagry as well as ensuring that the area is properly integrated in his development agenda for the state.

    ‘’Governor Ambode is a leader and he has shown glaringly that he is focussed with the blue-print to transform the state to the next level of development. I am happy with his commitment towards the development of Badagry. I am not alone in the excitement; my people too are also happy and together we are grateful to him,’’ he said.

    Kosoko and Akinola, who said they spoke on behalf of Badagry people also want Ambode to give approval for the construction of the road from Aradagun to Imeke Bridge.

    We gathered that the bridge at Imeke has been renovated by the Ambode government and that the governor has instructed work to commence from Imeke bridge road to the Whistling Palm but both Kosoko and Akinola said their people want Ambode to give approval for the construction of the road from Aradagun to the Imeke bridge so as to have a perfect job done in the area.

    It would be recalled that Ambode promised during his tour of Badagry in July that his administration has fine-tuned plans to make Badagry a hub of tourism and resort enterprise in Africa within the next 18 to 24 months.

    “Our eyes are set on Badagry, we are going to do something there for the future. We are going to open up Badagry forever and make the city a hub of tourism and resort enterprise in Africa’’ Ambode had said.

    Some Badagry residents who commented on the development expressed desire that the road from Aradagun to Imeke Bridge be done so as to have free access to the Whispering Palm.

    In what was described as the first time the state Executive Council meeting would hold outside Ikeja, the state’s seat of power, Ambode, had, in the same July, relocated the state executive council meeting to the state’s most cherished tourist centre, Badagry. After holding series of meeting with different groups including religious leaders, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and persons living with disabilities, Ambode said his administration had perfected development strategy to make Badagry Africa’s hub of tourism.

    At a town hall meeting he held with religious and traditional, the governor disclosed the strategic plan of his administration, which he said, plunged the state’s dependence on federal allocation to zero percent when Badagry’s tourism potentials and service sector were fully developed. He explained that the state government under his leadership “will reduce the state’s dependence on federal allocation to 10 per cent, even zero level in three years. The future of Lagos is about service and tourism. We have a greater plan for Badagry. Our plan is to make Badagry Africa’s hub of tourism.”

  • Fed Govt to generate $2.558b from Badagry port

    Fed Govt to generate $2.558b from Badagry port

    •FEC okays project

    The Federal Government yesterday took another step to boost the economy through the maritime sector with the approval of the construction of the Greenfield Port in Badagry, Lagos.

    When the project, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday is completed, it will pump no less than $2.558 billion into the economy, according to Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.

    Amaechi, Minister of Information Lai Mohammed and Minister of Works, Power and Hosing Babatunde Fashola briefed reporters on the outcome of the FEC meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ameachi said there will be no government involvement in the project that it would take five years to construct it from the end OBC and FBC concessional agreement.

    “In this period when we are looking for foreign exchange, it is going to bring a total of $2.558 billion into the system and federal and Lagos State government would not contribute financially other than the land given by the  state government,” he said.

    The FEC also approved the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement to prevent tax evasion and avoidance by multinational companies, among other benefits.

    Alhaji Mohammed said Nigeria has lost over N1 trillion to tax evasions by multilateral companies.

    He said: “In respect of the first memo which is the memo for Multilateral Competent Agreement and the exchange of country by country report, the whole essence is to give the government a better grip on its tax laws and also to prevent tax evasions and avoidance by multinational companies.

    “Where multinational companies operate in more than one country, it is quite easy for them to move profit from one territory to another territory where the tax laws is very favourable to them.

    “And what has happened over the years is that the revenue companies have lost a lot of money. As at the last count over N1 trillion has been lost over a period of time and the revenue companies have found that they were losing more money in terms of tax evasion and avoidance than what they were even receiving as grants from multinational agencies.

    “So this is a law that provides that if a company like MTN or Nestle for instance, is operating in Nigeria, not only must he file returns on his activities in Nigeria, he must also file returns on his activities in every other country that they are doing business so that you can see from there whether there is any attempt to hide figures.

    “Apart from shoring up our finances, I think it is part of the fight against corruption and it also enhances transparency.”

    He said the approval for Greenfield port facilities in Badagry is the first step to approving the establishment of a new sea port in the country.

    The approval, he said, showed that Nigeria is still a very preferred investment destination in Africa despite the challenges it is facing.

    Fashola said the Multinational competence authority agreement is consistent with the macroeconomic policy of government to fund its operation and economy with more tax incomes.

    According to him, it will allow government to see how much taxable revenues are accruable to it especially from companies.

    He said: “It is for transparency and accountability on the private side of the economy because transparency and accountability has been focused perhaps a little more on the public side of our national life.

    “When you look at the profit that is coming from the private sector beaming the ray of transparency and accountability on revenues that should come into the public space and be used for national development only helps to strength the economy in the long run and bring probity across board.”

    Noting that the Badagry port was long overdue, he said the ports in Nigeria are behind in terms of technology in the maritime industry.

    He said: “There are bigger vessels now being built across the world that require larger depths and drafts berth. Now some of our competitors on the continent like Djibouti are building bigger ports, so if we don’t build this port, we risk becoming uncompetitive and we risk a threat to our maritime hub status in the sense that we may become a transshipment port instead of a port of original destination.”

    Stressing that the work on the port started in 2012, he said that all its financing is coming from the private sector.

    “Again that is consistent with what this government stands for in terms of allowing private capital and competence to come into the development of our infrastructure,” he added.

    He said the Badagry port was delayed because of the refusal of the last administration to grant approval for it as the port development was under Federal Government control.

  • A vision for Badagry

    Fewer things broaden the mind than travelling. Aside the fun of discovering new places, people and things, it usually teaches history, unity, and broaden one’s world view. Through my travels, I have learnt many things about different societies. I love travelling to new places, especially when it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. It doesn’t matter if those places are nearby. And when newspaper headlines in July flashed that Lagos State governor spent four days in Badagry, I was impressed because while many Lagosians may not be aware of it, I think Badagry is one hell of a place.

    In July, Ambode visited Badagry twice. First, he attended a town hall meeting.  And a fortnight later, he brought the state machinery from Ikeja to the oft bucolic setting to discuss on how to move Lagos State. From Thursday to Saturday, he and cabinet members, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies and parastatals had jaw-jawed on that task. It was the first time State Executive Council meeting would be holding its meeting outside its Alausa, Ikeja secretariat, according to Tunji Bello, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, who has served many years on the EXCO.

    According to the official excuse, the Badagry meeting was to spread governance and development to other parts of the state. Maybe the choice of location is indication of focusing a ‘re-look’ into tourism. But I think Ambode understands Badagry is too important to just be another place in Lagos.

    But why Badagry? It’s a major border town with Republic of Benin and a gateway to the other Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries. Badagry also boasts of quite a few firsts in Nigeria. It is the site of the first storey building in Nigeria which was built by the Church Missionary Society, CMS, in 1842. The building still exists. On the educational front, Badagry also hosts Nigeria’s first primary school, Nursery of Infant Church in 1843. It later became St Thomas Anglican Nursery and Primary School. And the story of slavery in Nigeria will not be complete without Badagry. Currently, there are relics, museums and legends surrounding that era of early contact with the Portuguese and English. Still on slavery, Badagry hosts a symbolic ‘Point of no return’ where slaves raided to work on plantations in the Americas and Caribbean last saw their homeland.

    Sadly, this vast history is not experienced by many Nigerians compared to foreigners who throng the town annually. I know of lady who was born in Lagos and graduated from University of Lagos after attending primary and secondary school in Lagos. She had heard of Badagry but had never visited. When she eventually visited the sites in Badagry, she was wowed by the treasures and the fat that Badagry was just in her ‘backyard.’ But I’m optimistic that change is underway. With Ambode and his team’s visit to the coastal town, I’ll like to wager that tourism was big on the agenda of discussions during the retreat.

    Of course, it is a no-brainer that tourism is a money spinner. And in Lagos, what better way to spike tourism than to merge it with commerce. PeluAwofeso of Travel Next Door has for years been taking visitors on similar guided tours of Badagry, making money for himself and no doubt, the Nigerian economy. Fact is, such trips add up to the country’s economy in form transport fares, fees to gain access to the museums, payments for the various types of foods and drinks available, payments to boatmen that ferry tourists across the lagoon to the ‘Point of No return’ and back.

    But, to attract global tourists, more improvements should be done to the transportation, hotel and other facilities that would ease life. And the governor seems to be thinking along that line. In fact, the governor who also commissioned the Badagry Asphalt Plant, envisions a mixture of business and tourism. One of his aspirations is to replicate Dubai Marina in Badagry and also Epe.

    “Our eyes are set on Badagry,” Ambode was quoted as saying after the retreat.”Let’s do something for the future. We are going to open up Badagry forever.”

    As someone who thinks Badagry holds a lot of potential, I like it. I also like that, in keeping up with his promise of improving on the standard of Lagos as a mega-city, Ambode is not just talking the talk but also walking the walk. He commissioned street lights in Badagry, courtesy of his Light Up Lagos Project and with light comes a vibrant city that can still be open for business and leisure long after the sun sets. And though the light rail set to progress to Badagry is yet to reach there, during his visit, Ambode promised to award the contract for the construction of the road leading to Whispering Palms resort, which would no doubt boost tourism. These are the little steps that transform a society.

    When Ambode had talked about merging enterprise and entertainment and tourism during his gubernatorial campaign, a few people had thought these promises were going to go the usual way – into the annals of history. But he is proving the sceptics wrong. And while it may be contentious in some areas, I believe he is also surpassing the immediate past administration of BabatundeFashola (SAN) in the area of delivering social goods to the people of Lagos. The roads in the city are getting new surfaces, the streets are getting lit at night, the tempo of security is being met, the farmers are busy producing the food and the state is progressing in its intervention in the transportation sector.

    And while those strides may be termed as ‘hard’, Ambode is also not relenting in ensuring the ‘softer’ sides of – entertainment and tourism – are being taken care of. He had promised it. And the last yuletide provided an avenue for him to go full blast with his One Lagos fiesta which saw Nigerian stars perform free of charge to Lagos citizens and residents in different part of the state. One Lagos,which prides itself on celebrating art and culture in Lagos State, had its grand launch last month. The re-branding effort needs all parts of Lagos to pool its strength together. Badagry will be involved.

    Why? In Badagry, the land of the Eguns, there is on offer: beaches, history, culture and fun. Badagry is another Dubai, waiting. And Ambode is right, again.

     

    • Akinmosa writes from Lagos.
  • We’ll replicate Dubai Marina in Badagry, Epe, says Ambode

    We’ll replicate Dubai Marina in Badagry, Epe, says Ambode

    •Governor inspects roads, housing projects

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday vowed that his administration will replicate the Dubai Marina project in Badagry and Epe axis to harness the state tourism potentials.

    The governor revealed this while fielding questions from reporters after embarking on inspection of on-going projects in Epe, Lekki and Ajah axis.

    He said the government has decided to develop its tourist sites that could match the best in the world to boost its economic prosperity.

    “The road will be dualised with about five metres of walkway to make it pedestrian friendly. The intention is to build a modern Marina that can compete with others worldwide. We have already incorporated some of the world Marina design into the project.

    “There might be some hotel and malls that will encourage 24-hour commercial activities. It will be a mega terminal for water transportation,” Ambode said.

    The governor added that the Badagry-Marina Lagoon reclamation project would be completed by the end of August. He said the Epe-Marina Lagoon reclamation project was a complete redevelopment plan to facilitate growth of the area and promote tourism.

    Ambode explained that the government gave the project to a contractor, FCC Construction Company, based on what they had achieved in the construction sector.

    He said: “The reason we embarked on these projects simultaneously is to actually duplicate what you see in Dubai-Marina. This is a whole stretch of two kilometres of real estate and new tourist centres that we are putting in Epe and Badagry at the same time.

    “We believe strongly that coming out from our retreat that we said we are going to grow the IGR of Lagos State by 2017 to N30 billion and by 2018 to N50 billion. We believe that some of these projects that we are commencing now are just inlets to our dream of growing the IGR.

    “We believe that by the time we expand the tourist potentials of the state, especially Badagry and Epe, we will be able to get new investors into the state. They will be doing other things away from what we already have at the moment.”

    The governor, who was accompanied on the inspection by some top government functionaries, also inspected the Adeniji Adele transport interchange outward Third Mainland Bridge, where he ordered massive enforcement against illegal dropping and picking of passengers at undesignated bus stops.

    Ambode also inspected the on-going rehabilitation and upgrading of Freedom Road and Admiralty Way in Lekki, as well as the on-going bridge being constructed at Ajah Roundabout.

  • NDLEA arrests 21 suspected drug traffickers

    NDLEA arrests 21 suspected drug traffickers

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it arrested 21 suspected drug traffickers at the Seme border in the last six months.

    It said it seized 28.572million CFA and N7.5million from them.

    The suspects, it said, include eight females and 13 males, three of whom are foreigners – a Ghanaian and two Niger Republic citizens.

    Eight suspects have been tried at the Federal High Court and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, NDLEA said.

    Its Seme Commander, Mr. Odotong Essien, said the agency seized 1,457.867 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, otherwise known as Indian hemp, weighing 1.457 tonnes, valued at over N100million.

    Essien, who briefed newsmen at the Command’s headquarters at Ibereko, Badagry, Lagos State on the agency’s activities in the last six months, said NDLEA has adopted new strategies in its war against illicit drug traffickers.

    No fewer than 13 drug dependent persons were counseled during a public enlightenment programs on the dangers of abuse and trafficking, Essien said.

    “We have modified some of our strategies by blocking the waterways in partnership with the marine unit of the Nigeria Customs Service and the marine police, as well as many track routes, which has paid off tremendously.

    “The inter-agency cooperation and synergy at the Seme Border, especially with Seme Command of Nigerian Customs and the police has helped. All this was made possible through the officers’ commitment and leadership of our amiable Chairman, Col. Muhammed Mustapha Abdallah (rtd),” Essien said.

  • Education, health dominate Badagry town hall meeting

    Education, health dominate Badagry town hall meeting

    Governor Ambode has held the second quarter of this year’s town hall meeting at Muslim Community Playground, General Hospital Road Badagry Lagos where he reeled off his achievements in the first quarter and intimated the people about his plans to make their lives better. WALE AJETUNMOBI reports

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was in Badagry for the fourth in the series of the quarterly town hall meeting where he reiterated his administration’s commitment to an inclusive government.

    The town hall meeting, which had previously held in Iyana-Ipaja (Lagos West), City Hall (Lagos Central), and Ikorodu (Lagos East), took place at the Muslim Community Praying Ground in Badagry, where the Governor, for the first time in the history of the meeting, spent more than four hours interacting with various groups and individuals, including corporate organisations, religious leaders, youths, physically challenged, market men and women, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), political leaders and the general public.

    The Badagry town hall meeting was organised in a unique manner where Governor Ambode met with all the groups in four different sessions, as against the previous meetings where he met with all the groups at once. The format not only afforded the Governor the opportunity to interact with many groups, it also served as a platform that provided instantaneous answers to pressing needs by Lagosians.

    Reeling off his achievements in the last quarter, Governor Ambode revealed said his administration is committed to make life comfortable for the people, saying his administration had procured and donated additional equipment to security agencies. Such agencies included the Nigerian Police Force, Customs, Immigration Services, the Army, Air Force, Navy, Directorate of State Security (DSS), AIG Zone 2, Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Lagos State Task Force and the Nigeria Prison Services.

    He said the government also inaugurated the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) Rescue Unit facility with a specially designed dispatch centre to respond to emergency cases.

    On infrastructure, Governor Ambode recalled that within the quarter under review, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of the 38km Fourth Mainland Bridge was signed and it’s expected that the bridge which will connect Ikorodu with Ajah, will be executed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement and would be delivered within the next three years.

    Ambode said: “The Iyana-Oworo Bus Park project embarked upon by our administration to decongest traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge is nearing completion.

    “Work has commenced on the modern Oshodi Interchange in line with our vision to transform Oshodi into a world-class transport hub. Several road projects were completed in the last quarter while others are at various stages of completion.

    “Significant among the projects include Ajara/Agelasho/Poka/Erekiti Road in Badagry Local Government Area, construction of Aradagun-Iworo Ajido Phase I Bridge in Badagry Local Government Area, the construction of flyover at Ajah roundabout along the Lekki Expressway and Abule-Egba Junction along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and construction of pedestrian bridge at Ojodu-Berger.”

    The Governor also said the Oko-Oba Housing Scheme comprising a total of 108 units located on a land area of 15, 785.632 sq m was completed and offered for sale, while the government has also commenced the process of completing the Ibereko Housing project in Badagry.

    On job creation, the Governor said government has signed an MoU for the Lagos Smart City with the operators of the Dubai Smart City, while the agreement is expected to bring multi-billion dollar investments to the state, create employment opportunities and transform the Ibeju-Lekki axis and the entire Lagos State.

    He also revealed that another MoU was signed for the Lagos State Medical Park, adding that the initiative would bring more investment which, in turn, will create jobs and make Lagos a destination for medical tourism.

    In the area of social welfare and rule of law, the Governor said in line with provisions of Section 12 of the Special People’s Law, his administration launched the Lagos State Persons Living with Disability Fund with N500 million.

    He further said that in response to the disturbing menace of land grabbing, his administration set up a Special Task Force to curb the excesses of land grabbers under the office of the Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice. He also said government is committed to its zero- tolerance for issues relating to domestic violence and child abuse.

    He said his administration has concluded plans to revamp the health sector. To achieve this, he said, the sum of N10 billion has been earmarked to upgrade health facilities across the state.

    Governor Ambode assured that government would invest massively in capacity building of the medical staff, in a bid to provide world-class health care for the citizens.

    “We have commenced action on the rehabilitation and upgrading of facilities in all our hospitals. Modern equipment will be procured to facilitate treatment and we will invest in capacity building of our medical staff. We intend to spend over N10 billion on our hospitals before December this year.

    “We will recruit and train medical professionals in areas of rare specialisation and special needs,” Ambode said.

    On 2016 Budget, Governor Ambode said its overall performance stood at 70 per cent, which according to him, was an improvement over last year’s when the performance stood at 63 per cent.

    He said: “Revenue recorded 73% performance for the half-year 2016 despite the challenging economic environment. Your Government spent a total of N115.624 billion on capital projects during the half-year 2016, leading to the capital/recurrent ratio of 50:50 with the plan to improve the ratio to 58:42 provided for in 2016 Appropriation Law in the remaining half of the year.”

    Governor Ambode said the Employment Trust Fund would commence disbursement of funds to various artisans, entrepreneurs and unemployed youths to make life better for all.

    For instance, on education, the Governor said his administration would establish a Technical and Vocational School in Badagry before September this year, while government would also embark on upgrade of the infrastructure in all public schools beginning from this month.

    He said: “All our primary and secondary schools will be upgraded to create environment conducive to teaching and learning teachers and students. Another N10 billion has been earmarked for this facelift of our secondary and primary schools.”

    Governor Ambode pledged his administration’s readiness to pay greater attention to the elderly persons, by establishing three elderly care centres.

    “We will sponsor bills to the House of Assembly which will seek to make specific provisions for the elderly in our society and create a framework for care for the aged. Our priority is to commence the provision of three elderly care centres across the three Senatorial Zones. We urge the private sector to support and collaborate with government on this cause,” he said.

    While responding to some questions on neglect of Badagry over the years, the Governor revealed his plans to revive the tourism potential of Badagry, saying the long-term plan includes the establishment of university of hospitality in the ancient town.

    He also said his administration would build the economy of the state beyond oil, adding that “the future of Lagos is about tourism and services.”

    The governor said aside the N500 million disability funds which aimed at advancing the cause of persons living with disabilities, his administration would decentralise the Lagos State Office of Disability (LASODA) and absolve 200 physically-challenged persons to manage their affairs in all the local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs).

    “I implore you to take ownership of all government properties located in your area because they are our common wealth. Remember to pay your taxes as and when due in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

    “On our part, we will continue to ensure judicious use of resources of the state by executing projects that will outlive us and affirm our position as a Centre of Excellence,” Governor Ambode said.

     

  • Ambode vows to make Badagry Africa’s hub of tourism

    Ambode vows to make Badagry Africa’s hub of tourism

    …Presides over exco meeting in ancient town

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday presided over the State Executive Council Meeting held at the VIP Chalet in Badagry, just as he said that his administration has fine-tuned plans to make the ancient town of Badagry a hub of tourism and resort enterprise in Africa within the next 18 to 24 months.

    The Governor, who spoke to journalists shortly after embarking on an inspection tour, said his administration would spare nothing to make Badagry a flashpoint for developmental projects in the State.

    The Governor said, “Our eyes are set on Badagry, let’s do something for the future. We are going to open up Badagry forever.”

    Ambode, who was accompanied by all members of the State Executive Council, also inspected ongoing projects and other government establishments in Badagry which according to him was an immediate response to the questions and suggestions from the 2016 Second Quarter Town Hall Meeting which held at the Muslim Community Praying Ground in Badagry on Tuesday.

    He also inspected the road under construction from Badagry Expressway to Whispering Palms Resort, where he said that the contract for completion would be awarded next week, which according to him would further boost the tourism potentials of the area.

    Ambode also paid an unscheduled visit to the Badagry Asphalt Plant, where he also seized the occasion to commission the facility.

    Addressing the workers at the Asphalt Plant, Governor Ambode commended them for the duty and commitment to work, saying that his administration is not unaware of their hard work just as he assured that they would be duly rewarded.

    Adding his voice, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, said that this was the first time, in his many years in service in the State Executive Council, that a Government would be holding its Executive Council Meeting in Badagry.

    This, according to him, was a good sign of the visionary leadership Governor Ambode was providing in the State.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, reiterated the symbolism and importance of the State Executive Council Meeting, which according to him was holding in Badagry for the first time.

    Ayorinde said that the decision of the Governor to take the meeting outside the Lagos House, Ikeja, for the very first time, was a clear indication of the Governor’s readiness and commitment to spread development to every nook and cranny of the State.

    He said that the Governor had spent three days in Badagry, which according to him, goes to show that every part of the State is secured and the Governor can perform his duty in every part of the State.

  • Residents beg Ambode to prioritise water, roads, electricity in Badagry

    Residents of Badagry have urged Governor Akinwu-nmi Ambode and the lawmakers from the area to prioritise provision of water, roads and transformers for the people.

    The residents made the plea at the official inauguration of eight modern boreholes donated to the Badagry Constituency II by the lawmaker representing the area, Mr Setonji David.

    Setonji, who represents Badagry Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, donated the boreholes to mark the 2016 World Water Day in his constituency.

    He said he decided to provide the boreholes to make potable water available because many residents had no access to potable water in the area.

    According to him, many ailments and diseases could be prevented by access to potable water.

    He said: “Water is life and it is one of the basic necessities of life. It is unfortunate that many people still walk long distance in search of water, water scarcity and stress is still on the rise. When we provide clean water for citizens, they will be healthy and we will spend less money on health care.

    “In Badagry, most people do not have access to potable water and we cannot continue to look and leave them in their plight. I want to appeal to Gov. Ambode to come to the rescue of Badagry people and other areas with water challenge.”

    The lawmaker who is Chairman, House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development assured the residents that government was working hard to improve electricity and roads.

    Pastor Olusegun Odesanya, the Chairman, Ibiye Town Community Development Association (CDA) in Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA), said residents had challenges of potable water.

    The cleric said: “The challenge of water here is so much that we have started using this borehole long before today using our power generator for pumping of water.”

    Also speaking, Alhaja Oluwakemi Idowu, the Woman Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Olorunda LCDA’s Ward C, who commended the lawmaker for the borehole, said that residents spend a lot of money to buy potable water.

    Baale of Agemowo in the same LCDA, Chief Solomon Godonu said,”We thank the lawmaker but we need more development in the area of road and electricity. Our roads are bad.”

    The boreholes are located in  Itakete Quarter, Singbomeh Compound Age Mowo,  New layout close , Ilogbo Eremi, and  Ago Egun Quarters, Ibiye in Olorunda LCDA , Badagry.