Tag: lagos

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, at his maiden Quarterly Town Hall Meeting with the people, gave an insight into the journey so far and how he intends to deliver dividends of democracy to Lagosians. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, who was at the event, reports.

THE Abesan Mini Stadium/Playground, Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos was filled to capacity with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the disabled, clergy, market women, youths, transporters, council workers, artisans and traditional rulers.

It was the maiden Quarterly Town Hall Meeting of Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode with the people at the grassroots. This is in line with his electoral promise to run an open door policy, anchored on accountability and probity.

Being the first of its kind, the people were enthusiastic to hear from government what had transpired since Ambode assumed leadership in the past four months.

Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos West Senatorial District, which hosted the edition, wore a new look. People rolled out the drums to make the occasion memorable.

Reflecting on the importance of quarterly briefing, Ambode said government has decided to change from the traditional ‘100 days address’ to interactive quarterly report. He said it was one of the platforms designed to enable the people participate in government activities.

According to him, the town hall meeting will enable the people together rub minds on salient issues bordering on the overall improvement and development of our state.

The meeting would also be rotate in the three senatorial districts in the state. This he said would make the people at the grassroots major players in governance.

“Today, we have started with the west axis in Abesan, the next quarter will be the Central axis of Lagos. This way, every part of the state will have an opportunity to engage to engage with my administration.”

Ambode expressed optimism that efforts to position the state as one of the best economies in the world was on course. He said: “Our vision is to make Lagos globally competitive in all sectors.

“We are on the way building a Lagos that is safe, clean and prosperous. Lagos will become the land of opportunities, offering prosperity for all as we surmount the challenges.”

Buttressing the giant stride made by the APC, led administration, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Fola Adeyemi, said government had laid the foundation for people-oriented programme.

He explained that the programme would reposition the state and make it the bride of investors. “I can assure you that this is the right man for the job. He is not leaving any stone unturned to make the state better and prosperous.”

The meeting afforded the people the opportunity to raise questions on the impact of government policies. Some of the questions, which border on youth unemployment, roads construction, banning the use of loud speakers for prayer, street trading and banning of heavy duty vehicles from plying Lagos roads during the day, were put before the governor.

He said the order restricting the movement of some of the vehicles was sacrosanct. According to him, government could only protect Lagosians, except they were willing to obey the rules and regulations.

He said the ban on the use of loud speakers was to ensure that Lagosians enjoy their peace when they are supposed to rest. He appealed to the people to cooperate with the law enforcement agents in the discharge of their duties.

One of the stakeholders, Comrade Kabir Olusola, urged government to look into the plight of youths seeking employment.

He said job seekers were asked to get a letter from influential members of the society before they could be considered for employment.

Olusola noted that this had worsened the plight of youths in the state. “I think it is wrong for some of us who do not have the connection or contact to be asked to produce letters signed by influential people before we can be employed.”

Responding to this, Ambode said Lagosians were free to seek means of livelihood, if they have the prerequisite qualification. “I don’t think it is right for anyone to make such demand. Anyway, people are free to get the job they want without getting any letter from influential members of the society.’’

The Iyaloja of Ikeja Market Association, Alhaja Adia Apeno, asked Ambode to tackle the menace of bad roads in the state. She said if the road were in good shape, the cost of goods in the market will be affordable.

She said transporters were taking advantage of the bad roads to increase their charges on the goods being conveyed to the markets.

The governor said the budget will take care of any shortcoming on the roads. He said his administration has been working on some federal and state roads across the state.

He listed the Agege Motor road, Herbert Macauley Way, Yaba, Murtala Mohammed Way, Isolo, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Isaac John Road, GRA, Ikaja, Billy Street, Aswani Road, Isolo, Yekini Street, Shogunle, Oshodi, Apapa Road, Ebute Metta etc as some of the roads the government had worked on.

He explained that government is determined to ensure that the roads are in good condition and motorable. ‘’In the last three months, I have taken a tour of some major roads to ascertain their state and this has helped to have a fair assessment of our roads.’’

The governor expressed satisfaction with the school health programme, saying that about 4,890 pupils from eight primary schools in six local government benefited in the first quarter.

According to him, two new molecule machines were installed at the Isolo General Hospital and the Ikorodu General Hospital. This was done with the collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Health and National AIDS Control Agency.

The molecule machines could be used to detect persons infested with Tuberculosis within two hours when the test is carried out.

As part of efforts to promote a healthy Lagos State, Ambode said 31 resident doctors were employed.

Ambode thanked the business community for their support, collaboration and donation to the wellbeing of the citizens of Lagos.

He said the Organised Private Sector (OPS) donated toward the Security Trust Fund. ‘’The recent fund raising of almost N1 billion from the OPS is strong indication of your confidence in our administration to tackle security in the state.’’

He commended the civil servants for their dedication to duty. He said right from the onset, government promised to offer continuity programme.

He said: “My knowledge of the civil service as the engine room of any government, we chose to commence this journey by repositioning the state civil service in order to make it more efficient and cost effective, with a vision of delivering better service to the citizenry.

“We are building a civil service that is well structured with officials who have the right attitude, skills and are well motivated to deliver the goal of this administration.”

Ambode said 20 Permanent Secretaries (PS) were appointed, following their tract records of excellent performance. He noted that it will create upward movement of career civil servants and also reward diligence, dedication and hard work.

“I am happy to inform you that the PS have held the fort and kept the wheel of governance at a steady pace in the absence of commissioners and special advisers. I thank them for doing so,’’ Ambode said.     The governor promised to provide adequate security for the people, stressing that the security structure are being reviewed.

“We are aware of pockets of violence and robberies that have swung into action to curb further incidents. We have established an integrated security and emergency control platform, all aimed to strengthen the security apparatus in the state.

The governor said effort to stabilize the finance of the state was paramount. He said his determination to be accountable to the people of the state informed the cleansing the all the sectors.

“One of the first key tasks was to stabilise the finances of the state. We embarked on financial re-engineering and reviewed the revenue and expenditure of the state.

“These efforts coupled with the realignment of ministries, departments and agencies have saved the government of almost N3 billion every month. This has provided us with more funds to inject into capital projects.

“This also provided us with the initial funds to establish the Employment Trust Fund which we promised our youths.’’

He said a major landmark was the reduction of the cost of governance, noting that it has improved the quality of services to the people of the state.

“We want a lean government with quality service delivery. Government is proud to declare that it has consistently met its obligation especially prompt payment of workers’ salaries without seeking any bailout from the Federal Government.

“In August, this administration approved the release payment of arrears of pensions owed to pensioners since 2010. We have, on monthly basis, consistently been presenting retirees on the Contributory Pension Scheme their bond certificates.’’

He stated that government was reviewing its loans with its bankers with a view to restructure them. This, according to him, would free up funds for further infrastructural development.

Ambode maintained that the administration had done institutional framework for the smooth running of government in the next three and half years.

“What we have done can be as laying the foundation on which the service and programme of this government will be built. You cannot run a four-year marathon at top speed from the onset.

“Like any other well bred CEO, I have put in place the ingredient needed to run a successful race. We will continue to woo investors to Lagos. We are assist businesses and creating environment for these investors to start business and employed people.’’

Ambode said the administration is committed to serve and render good governance no matter the challenge. “However, we need your support and cooperation to enable us deliver on our lofty programme.

“I want to assure you that our programme are well thought out and carefully designed to make life better for all the citizens while we do our best, I implore you to fulfill your side of the social contract by performing your civic responsibilities always.

“Please pay your taxes willing. If you do your bit, we can achieve our set goals. The task ahead is enormous, but we must resolve to do our best for this state,’’ he said.