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Tag: projects

  • Projects: Lagos govt promises prompt delivery

    The Lagos State government yesterday promised prompt delivery of  projects.

    Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Mr Adebowale Akinsanya spoke after an inspection of some projects.

    He urged contractors to accelerate work to bring relief and comfort to motorists and other residents.

    The commissioner said the government was not oblivious of the difficulties being experienced by motorists, adding that it was making efforts to reduce them.

    Akinsanya noted that with the rains subsiding, residents should expect increased pace of work by contractors.

    The commissioner said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode remained committed to the delivery of the projects.

    He said: “The inspection tour is at the instance of Governor Ambode who has equally given contractors handling various projects across the state the matching order to expedite work.

    “With the rains subsiding, the state government is leaving no stone unturned to rev up the projects and bring the truly deserved comfort to the people as well as improve the aesthetics of the state.

    “That is why all hands are on deck to ensure completion of the projects on schedule.”

    Akinsanya said the projects were deliberately embarked upon to align the state with the league of cities with world class infrastructure, thus making Lagos to be globally competitive.

    According to him, the gains of the investment in critical infrastructure would soon be felt on all sectors.

    On the traffic situation, the commissioner said while potholes were being fixed day and night, the traffic management team had also jacked up activities.

    He added that other initiatives were being put in place to address the situation with the urgency required.

    “As I speak to you, the Public Works Corporation has intensified their rehabilitation of potholes across the state.

    “We were initially held back by the rains, but with the dry season now, more roads have been covered in the last one month. We appeal to Lagosians to be patient. If you have not seen them in your area, they will get their soon,” Akinsanya assured.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioner and his team inspected the progress of work on Airport Road, Pen Cinema Flyover, Oshodi Transport Interchange and Onikan Stadium.

    He also inspected the Oshodi-Abule-Egba Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project and ongoing works at the J. K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History.

  • We are concentrating on completing projects -Fashola

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola on Friday said that the Buhari administration was focusing on completing road,  power and housing projects to deliver value to Nigerians.

    Fashola during an interactive session with 10 social clubs to give account of achievements of the Buhari administration at Lagos City Hall, said that due to completion of some road projects, the construction economy had bounced back and  promoting growth of businesses.

    He said that previous governments had reports of uncompleted projects and stressed that, uncompleted infrastructure could not be used and would not deliver values to Nigerians.

    He said that people voted for change and there was no need repeating the old system that did not deliver real value to citizens of the nation.

    He explained that in the 2015 budget, N19 billion was earmarked for road projects out of which only nine billion naira was released leaving a huge deficient that made several contractors to abandon site.

    Fashola said that the trend coupled with huge debts owed contractors affected businesses which in turn impacted the economy negatively.

    “And because of dwindling oil revenue, we had to do more with less money,’’ he said.

    He said the government decided to prioritize the roads for repair based on six main categories, which included roads that carried heaviest vehicles, those that led to the ports, roads critical to agriculture, ones that required counterpart funding and the Sukuk bonds.

    “There is no state where we are not constructing one road or the other,“ he said.

    On housing delivery, the minister said the Buhari regime was also completing housing projects started by previous administrations.

    “Is it a crime to govern sensibly to reduce waste?“ he queried.

    He said that only completed projects were useful to citizens of the nation and urged Nigerians to speak up in favour of the good gesture to complete projects.

    He said that pilot schemes were still on-going for new housing projects as there were no empirical evidence of what kind of homes people could afford or their taste preferences.

    The minister said that apart from the Shehu Shagari administration, this was the second time the Federal Government was embarking on mass housing initiatives across the country.

    He said that there was need to get the product formulation, packaging and delivery right, adding that, there were several unoccupied buildings across the country either because they were not affordable or did not meet the taste of consumers.

    “If you don’t sample correctly, the product would fail. When we say we are planning, people think we are joking,’’ the minister said.

    He said that the government through the Federal Mortgage Bank was removing impediments to access to loans and was at the same time expanding the scope to capture more beneficiaries.

    Speaking on Power, he said that power generation and distribution had improved because government was able to resolve some complex issues that came with the privatisation of power by previous government.

    He said that the various power plants across the country were being upgraded to deliver at more optimal capacity, adding that, the problems of estimated billing would be resolved with time.

    “Clearly, it is getting better, let us honestly admit,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Projects: Fed Govt to refund N489b to 21 states

    LAGOS and Akwa-Ibom states top the list of 21 states the Federal Government will refund N489 billion spent on federal projects, senator representing Anambra Central Chief Victor Umeh said this yesterday.

    Speaking in Awka, Anambra State to reporters, Umeh said the Senate decided to settle some of the outstanding claims and liabilities of states with N488,743,526,204.77k based on state-by-state claims.

    From the amount, according to him, Lagos State would be refunded N114.6 billion and Akwa-Ibom would receive N78.7 billion.

    Other states like Zamfara, Umeh said, would get N60.02 billion; Ogun N59.2 billion and Anambra N37. 9 billion, among others.

    He said he was a member of the Ad hoc Committee on promissory note programme and bond issuance that approved the refund.

    According to him, “The approval of the refund followed a motion  by Senator Francis Alimikhena (Edo  North) that the  Senate  should settle inherited local debts and contractual obligations on refund to states’ governments for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government.”

    However, he urged the Federal Government to release the money on time so that the states, especially Anambra, could put such fund to use.

     

  • Ajimobi: I’ll do projects till my last day in office

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has assured the residents that his administration will continue to embark on life-changing legacy projects and programmes till next May when his tenure will end.

    The governor spoke yesterday during the inspection of the modernised Jericho Paediatric and Maternity Centre, a World Bank-assisted project of the state government under construction in Ibadan, the state capital.

    With the pace of work at the centre, Ajimobi said he was optimistic that it would be inaugurated by the end of the year to institute integrated and modernised health delivery services in the state.

    He said: “This centre is another testimony to the fact that ours is an administration noted for projects. We are not like some lazy governors who would have stopped embarking on projects a year before the end of their tenure and will instead be frolicking around.

    “We will work till the last day in office because that is why we were elected. I was not elected for seven years but eight years and it will be completed in May, next year, by the grace of God.

    “Our government is striving to bring a good standard of living to the people and this is not possible without good health delivery. That is why I am here. We must complete these projects in the next three to six months, at the most, and it will be opened to the general public.”

    The governor said the project, which he described as an integrated health delivery centre, would rival the popular University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan in service delivery, when completed.

    He added: “We are known for modernising Oyo State. We are not only modernising the state through the Education sector, we are also modernising the physical environment and, more importantly, we are modernising the health sector.

    “We believe that we should have here an integrated health service delivery centre where we can have a maternal and paediatric centre; where we will have tuberculosis centre and all centres related to health service delivery.

    “We want to make this another UCH, so to speak, where virtually everything will be integrated, where any service you want will be on the ground when it comes to health.”

  • Grants from China should be tied to projects, says Forum

    The Abuja Forum Series on China-Africa Cooperation yesterday advised that grants from Chinese Government should be tied to projects.

    It said that there should be better bi-lateral arrangements to enhance military capabilities in Africa.

    It also said China can assist Africa by sponsoring investment that can steer poverty reduction and rural development.

    These are some of the highlights in the communiqué of the first conference of the Abuja Forum Series with the theme “New Era for China-Africa Cooperation: Partnership for Peace, Security and Development”.

    The conference was jointly organised by the Gusau Institute (GI), Nigeria and the Centre for Nigerian Studies at the Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU), China.

    The communiqué highlighted some of the recommendations of the conference including the need for a memorandum of understanding between Chinese and Nigerian universities to promote capacity building.

    The Forum said: “Money and grants from China should be tied to projects not as loans, so as to reduce corruption and promote accountability.

    “China does not have a Defence Pact with any African country: therefore, rather than having military cooperation extending to arms sales only, there should be better bi-lateral arrangements to enhance military capabilities in Africa.

    “China’s successful activities in the Gulf of Aden should be extended to the Gulf of Guinea to assist Africa in securing more of her coastline.”

    The Forum also suggested ways on how to facilitate industrialization in Africa.

    It added: “There is a need for Africa to meaningfully engage China by leveraging the opportunities in industrialisation.

    “There is a need to strengthen policies on research and development to drive industrialisation in Africa.

    “Africa’s economic reform should accommodate industrialisation and it should seek experience and guidance from other countries, the way China did with Singapore when establishing the Suzhou industrial park.

    “The use of a Pre-emptive Peace and Security Approach (PPSA) to enhance infrastructural development, trade and security in Africa should be the core of China-Africa cooperation. As such, PPSA is vital for addressing the root causes of security threats through the provision of aid.”

    The Forum also made recommendations on how to achieve good governance in Africa and enhance security on the continent.

    It said: “The governance system in Nigeria should provide the right policies and incentives that will effectively drive the economy by attracting investment.

    “An African Renaissance could be achieved by focusing on active engagement with China so that Africa can gain optimal advantage.

    ”Africa should take advantage of China’s willingness to build training institutions as part of capacity building that stressed development of the mind as human growth, and not just provision of training without replicating the knowledge acquired.

    “Acquisition of technology to drive the process of enhancing security in Africa should be based on what China and Africa can offer and learn from each other.

    “Africa should engage China on how the country has been able to curb some of her security challenges.”

  • FEC okays N192.9b for projects

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved N192.9 billion to fix  roads and bridges.

    Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Shehuri told reporters that FEC approved N5.9 billion for the construction of 16.7 kilometers Suleja-Chaaza-Banguru Road and spur to Rafinsayin in Niger State.

    “It also provided for 15 meters of bridge construction.”

    With him at the post-FEC briefing were Minister of State Trasportation (Aviation) Hadi Sirika, Minister of Trade and Investment Okechukwu Enelamah and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu.

    Shehu added: “Another memo approved is the dualisation of Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani road in Kwara and Niger states to CGC at the cost of N130 billion. The contract’s life span is 36 months.

    “The Council also approved construction of Ibi Bridge across River Benue connecting Taraba and Plateau states at the cost of N57 billion.”

    Enelamah said FEC also approved memo for effective implementation of project ‘Made in Nigeria’ for export.

    He said:  “The plan  is to begin the development of those economic zones across the six geopolitical zones as follows: Lagos, Katsina, Abia, Calabar, Kano.

    “In addition, the Council also approved pre-development work in develop of Green Field Special Economic Zone in Akwa  Ibom, Benue, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Kwara, and Sokoto states with further roll out to other states in phase two.”

    He said FEC approved payments to consultations totalling N2.655 billion for various projects that will be undertaken by different consultations that will lead to implementation of these zones.

    He added “This is for one set of consultants. The aggregate amount which includes another set is N3.172 billion for all the special economic zones

    “The total budget for developing these zones will be in excess N250 billion and it will include partners.This is going to be done through something called The Nigerian Special Economic Zones Company Limited, which is a public private partnership.

    “The Federal Government is going to own 20 percent of that company and AFRIEXIM bank is going to be a shareholder and other investors like the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority and other international investors.”

     

     

  • MDAs ‘got N1.580tr for projects’

    Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) got N1,580,270,755,084.44 as capital cost for 2017 budget, the Federal Government said yesterday.

    Finance Minister Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who released the figure in Abuja yesterday, said the N1,580,270,755,084.44 total capital releases for 2017 was remarkably higher than the N1,219,471,747,443.00 total capital releases for 2016.

    In the 2017 capital releases  “Power, Works and Housing received the highest allocation of N523,011,701,723.25 which was 33.10% of the total capital releases. The sector also received the highest in the 2016 capital budget, which was N307,411,749,682.00 (25.21%) of the 2016 capital budget.”

    Defence and Security received the second highest capital releases of N197,596,016,072.02 (12.50%) in 2017, as against N77,532,885,729.00 (6.36%) received in 2016.

    Agriculture and Water Resources got N149,485,276,897.37 (9.46%) in 2017. The sector had received N143,121,925,241.00 (11.74%) of the capital releases in 2016. Transportation received N126,253,042,607.50 (7.99%) of the 2017 capital releases as against the N171,900,597,013.00 (14.10%) in 2016.

    Health and Education got N98,190,277,285.69 (6.21%) for 2017 as against N56,270,030,992.00 (4.61%) the sectors received in 2016.

    Other sectors combined received N485,734,440,498.61, which was 30.74% of the 2017 capital releases. In 2016, N463,234,558,786.00 (37.99%) was disbursed to these sectors.

    Mrs. Adeosun said despite the economic challenges in 2017, the Federal Government fully cash-backed the capital releases.

    She stressed that “the sustained high allocations to key sectors was a reflection of the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure development in the country”.

    The minister said the Federal Government was “working assiduously to attract private capital to complement government spending in these key areas”.

  • $650m for projects next year, says NSIA

    •Second Niger Bridge for completion in four years

    In line with the decision of the National Economic Council (NEC) headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) plans a $650 milion investment in infrastructure next year.

    The NSIA is to continue to maintain its diversified asset strategy to drive returns and mitigate market volatility, its Managing Director Uche Orji said yesterday in Abuja.

    Orji said: “The NSIA anticipates increased investment in infrastructure as more projects come up to financial close.

    “The deployment of the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund is expected to drive 2018 infrastructure investment strategy as $650 million dollars has been voted by NEC to complete critical infrastructure projects across the country.”

    Orji added that the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, one of the major road projects being financed by the NSIA, would be completed in four years.

    The NSIA, the agency managing the Sovereign Wealth Fund, recorded a decline in its profit from N130.3 billion in 2016 to N22.5 billion in 2017.

    Presenting highlights of the financial performance of the fund, he said 2017 was a challenging year for the agency.

    He said the total income of the agency declined from N149.83 billion in 2016 to N27.93 billion in 2017.

    According to him, the agency also recorded a decline of N107.8billion in profit from N130.37 billion in 2016 to N22.55 billion in 2017.

    Orji blamed the Currency Management Policy of the Federal Government for the decline in profitability.

    “The decline of the net foreign exchange gains which accounted for the reduced net operating income recorded in 2017 was as a result of government’s Currency Management Policies, which were aimed at stabilising the Naira in 2016.

    “To this effect, the Naira weakened in value from N196 per dollar to N305 per dollar in 2016.

    “Considering that at the end of that year, about 80 cent of the Authority’s assets were denominated in the United States Dollars, the devaluation resulted in significant exchange gains in the Authority’s Naira books,” he said.

    Orji said dividend payment to its shareholders was discussed at the last board meeting but was stepped down till next year.

    The agency commenced operations in 2013 with 1.55 billion and there had been expectations that dividend to its shareholders would be paid at the end of the 2017 financial period.

    “The law said that we should show profits in each of the three funds consistently for five years after which we will start declaring dividend and this is the fifth year of showing profitability.

    “The dividend policy was considered by the board but we decided to step it down and consider it again next year,” he said.

    Orji said the delay in inaugurating the NSIA board led to a lag in re-investment of matured fund which affected profitability in the year under review.

    However, he said despite the drop in profitability, the NSIA had decided to increase its funding for infrastructure development.

    To achieve this objective, Orji said the asset allocation strategy of the NSIA was restructured to reflect an increased focus on domestic infrastructure investment.

    Orji said henceforth 50 per cent of future contributions would be dedicated to infrastructure as against the previous arrangement where 40 per cent of the fund was allocated.

    He gave the areas of priority for the agency as agriculture, healthcare, motorways, real estate and power.

  • Projects that would change the face of Lagos

    Last week, Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode embarked on extensive inspection tour of major ongoing projects across key sectors of the State including education, health, tourism and road infrastructure, among others. The iconic projects, many of which the contractors have assured would be completed before the end of the year, were conceived and implemented to transform the landscape of the State and make life comfortable for residents, as well as improve on the ranking of Lagos as the fifth largest economy in Africa.

    Ever since assuming office as the 14th Governor of the State of aquatic splendor – Lagos, Governor Ambode has not hidden his desire to grow the economy of the State to be the third largest in Africa, and many projects and policies to achieve same are being implemented in quick succession.

    Considering the fact that the State had been punching below its weight in terms of infrastructural renewal, the Governor, upon assumption, set out to embark on very ambitious projects across all sectors and sections to the point that the State is now a huge construction site.

    Within the first two years in office, the Governor commissioned several projects including two bridges in Abule Egba and Ajah, which were hitherto bedeviled by traffic snarl; scaled up security and emergency rescue operation with state of the art facilities and equipment; constructed several inner roads to open up the hinterland and multiple laybys to ease traffic, among other gigantic projects.

    In a recent publication by the State Government, it was revealed that over 100 projects are currently ongoing across all the sectors, and the projects, upon completion, would change the face of Lagos and set the State on sound pedestal forever.

    As part of efforts to monitor the progress of work and see things for himself, Governor Ambode with sleeves rolled up and top members of his cabinet, visited some of the sites of the projects and the tour offered a first-hand assessment on the work done so far.

    The first point of call was the Oworonshoki Lagoon reclamation project which is designed to transform the blighted area to major tourism, transportation and entertainment hubs.

    Speaking at the site, Governor Ambode clarified that contrary to some reports in the media, the project was not a housing scheme but part of the overall programme for Lagos to emerge as the entertainment hub for Africa.

    “I have read some reports in the papers insinuating that this project is a housing scheme or whether we want to sell the reclaimed land. That is not the situation and this project is a special one designed to make the State emerge as the tourism hub of Africa,” Governor Ambode said.

    He said 30 hectares land space have so far been reclaimed out of the 50 planned for the scheme, while upon completion, the project would end the perennial flooding in the area, and would also accommodate boutique hotel, event centres, cinema, clubs, bars, bus/ferry terminal, parking space with capacity for about 1000 vehicles, among others.

    From the Oworonshoki Lagoon reclamation site, the Governor and his team moved to Ilaje and Bariga axis where network of roads were being upgraded in Ilaje, Odunsi and Ariyo streets, and a modern jetty.

    While receiving the Governor and his entourage, Chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon Kolade Alabi said the people of the area were indeed grateful to the State Government for the projects being implemented to make life comfortable and boost commerce in their neighborhood.

    “Your Excellency sir, when news emerged that you will be coming to inspect the work ongoing here, the people of Ilaje and Bariga asked me to plead with you that this Ilaje Road should be named after you as Ambode Road upon completion in appreciation of the good work done here.

    “Apart from the network of roads ongoing, you have also approved another 14 roads to be constructed in Bariga LCDA and we are very appreciative of this. When these projects are completed, they will change the face of our LCDA for good and also boost commerce,” Alabi said.

    Responding, Governor Ambode commended the contractor handling the roads and new jetty projects, Messrs Avatar Global Resources Limited for the level of work done so far and the assurance that the projects would be delivered by July.

    He recalled the deplorable conditions of the roads before the decision of the government to intervene, saying it was gratifying that the projects were progressing as planned and would soon be commissioned.

    “I want to commend the contractors for a job well done so far so good. We have been assured that the roads and the new jetty through which other parts of the State can be linked through the waterways will be ready by July. In a bid to further continue with the development of this axis and cater for the growth in economic activities that the projects would facilitate to the area, we are going to immediately commence the construction of a comprehensive health centre in Ashogbon,” the Governor said.

    At the inspection of ongoing new Model College in Sabo area of Yaba which is billed to be delivered in December alongside that of Angus Model College in Shomolu, the Governor said the intention of his administration is to scale up infrastructure in public schools across the State, starting with commencement of massive rehabilitation of public schools.

    “What we are seeing here is our new concept of what a model college should look like and that is why in this complex we have about 36 classrooms, nine laboratories and because of the land space here, we don’t really have a recreational facility around but the ones we are building in Ojo and Shomolu, they have all the necessary recreation facilities that should actually go with a modern secondary school.

    “The idea is that we want to increase the number of model colleges that we have; we also want to create a new template of how public secondary school should look like moving forward. This is our own template; this is the way we want to begin with it; we are doing three now; we will move forward next year to expand model colleges in the State,” he said.

    The Governor added that his administration accepted the fact that a lot of public schools in the State were not in proper shape, and that in addressing the challenge, the government would soon commence massive rehabilitation of public schools.

    “We accept the fact that a whole lot of our public schools actually require immediate attention in terms of rehabilitation and also putting them in proper shape and so in the next few weeks, we would commence a comprehensive rehabilitation of our public schools across the State and bring them to the normal standard that a school should look like. Our objective is to impact positively on school curriculum in public and private schools and we are committed to that as well as taking education seriously,” Governor Ambode said.

    From there, the Governor moved to the Oshodi Transport Interchange being constructed for the State Government by an indigenous firm, Messrs Planet Projects.

    The interchange, which is designed to redefine public transportation not only in Lagos but in Nigeria, seeks to create a world class central business district with focus on transportation, security, environment and urban renewal. The interchange has 3-multi-storey bus terminals with waiting area, loading bays, ticketing stands, drivers lounge, parking areas, conveniences, surveillance tower and CCTV gadgets. Other features include accessible walkways, pedestrian bridges/sky-walks to link the three terminals, shopping malls with street lighting and a dedicated security team on ground. Upon completion, the project would bring about organised transport system, boost intra-tourism for Oshodi, bequeath iconic city gateway to the State, ensure secured and comfortable environment, as well as economic growth and job creation.

    Speaking after being briefed on the level of work done so far by the contractor and Managing Director, Planet Projects, Mr. Biodun Otunola, Governor Ambode said it was gratifying that such gigantic project was being constructed by a Nigerian firm with 100 per cent Nigerian workers.

    “This is a good development for Nigeria. The engineers and workers here are solely Nigerians and it shows that the future prosperity of Nigeria is assured,” he said.

    The Oshodi Transport Interchange is expected to be delivered by September, 2018.

    Also at the 10-lane Airport Road project being constructed by the State Government, the Governor was assured by contractors handling the project that it would be delivered in December as end of the year gift to Lagos residents and visitors.

    The Governor, it would be recalled, had approved the extension of the project to Ladipo International Market axis along Oshodi Apapa Expressway, as well as construction of a pedestrian bridge at Toyota Bus Stop in response to the yearnings of traders and residents of the area.

    Speaking at the U-turn flyover point along Airport Road after being briefed by Messrs Hi-Tech Construction Company, the Governor appealed to residents to bear with government for the inconvenience being experienced as a result of the construction work, saying that the project was designed to change the face of Lagos for good and improve on the economy.

    He said: “We have just seen the progress of work on the Airport Road. I want to appeal to all Lagosians to bear with us. As much as possible, we have tried to reduce the impact of traffic on residents and other road users believing that it is in the overall interest of all that we should have a standard road that leads to our international airport.

    “I have been assured by the contractor that this project will be part of our Christmas gift; it will be ready before Christmas and we should be able to use it in conjunction with the Oshodi Bus Terminal and then make a major facelift of what we are having in this whole axis.”

    While urging those whose structures gave way for the project to bear with government, Governor Ambode particularly assured that the State Government would soon commence payment of compensation to them once the necessary paper works are concluded, adding that the project, upon completion, would be a pride to Lagosians in particular and Nigerians in general.

     

     

    The design of the Airport Road include the reconstruction and expansion of the existing carriage to three-lane Expressway on both directions, construction of two-lane Service Road in both directions, construction of Ramp Bridge to provide a U-turn from Ajao Estate to Airport, construction of a flyover at NAHCO/Toll Gate and drainage works.

    Others include the removal of existing Pedestrian Bridge at Ajao Estate and construction of Pedestrian Bridges at Ajao Estate and NAHCO/Hajj Camp, construction of Slip Road to provide access to Ajao Estate, construction of Lay-bys and installation of Street Lights, among others.

    The Governor was also at the Maternity Centre in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja popularly known as Ayinke House, to inspect the progress of work.

    The Ayinke House is a 162-bed space facility which is expandable to 250, with other features such as 22 neo-natal intensive care units, 16 intensive care units for adults, five fully equipped theatres, laboratory, common ward, maternal and child care centre, among others.

    Speaking, Governor Ambode said it was gratifying that the Ayinke House designed to be the major baby factory of the State, would be delivered in June and commissioned for public use by July.

    Before now, the present administration in the State had commissioned a helipad for medical emergency at LASUTH and also constructed alternative road to LASUTH to facilitate easy and prompt access to the centre, among other major projects within the health sector.

    The last point of call for the day was the ongoing Pen Cinema Flyover which is also designed to significantly address the traffic snarl associated with the area, boost commerce and improve on the aesthetics of Agege and environs.

    Afetr receiving briefings from the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr Adebowale Adesanya and the construction firm handling the project, Governor Ambode expressed satisfaction with work done, and explained the rationale behind the project.

    “When you add the total length of the Pen Cinema Bridge together, it is equivalent of Ajah and Abule Egba Bridges. In terms of the width, it is wider. We are impressed with the progress of work here; I am actually impressed with what has been done in the abatement area and the piling that is being done.

    “We believe this flyover will change forever the economic landscape of the Agege axis because it comes with its economic value and expanding our infrastructure to this axis by complementing what we have in Abule Egba is the right way to go. I just want to encourage the contractors to deliver on schedule by December,” he said.

    Interestingly, other projects spread across the state, like the J.K Randle Centre, reconstructed Onikan Stadium among others, are also expected to be completed the same time with above projects

    In all of the areas visited by the Governor, the people were visibly happy with the projects ongoing in their neighborhood and were ready to sacrifice today for a better future. One can only imagine what the mood of the people would be upon completion of the projects in December as promised. For sure, the Lagos landscape would never be the same again.

     

    • Anibaba, a journalist wrote in from Ikorodu

     

  • Fed Govt releases N1.248tr for capital projects

    Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun yesterday said N1.248 trillion had been released for capital projects under the 2017 Budget.

    She spoke with State House reporters at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    She was with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),  Mohammed Bello, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

    She said: “The final update I gave was the level of capital releases till date from 2017 and l gave details of the big four areas and then others. So, power, works and housing got N301.89 billion, defence N151.2 billion, agriculture N119.9 billion, transport N127.9 billion and other ares combined is N545.6 billion. So the total capital budget release for 2017 so far is N1.248,310 trillion.

    “We haven’t closed yet. We are confident we will close the year roughly around where we closed last year. We will close around N1.3 trillion mark.

    “So, our commitment to infrastructure spending remains very strong. That is what is going to drive growth of the economy. That is what is going to drive jobs.”

    Adeosun, who briefed Council on the scorecard of her ministry, also disclosed that the Federal Government has recovered N7.8 billion, $378 million, and 27,800 pounds through whistle blower policy.

    She said the government also  intends to institutionalise the whistle blower policy in order to properly handle its increasing magnitude.

    Stressing that the Ministry got 28 approvals during the period, she said the Federal Government has saved N68 billion on personnel cost in 2017.

    She said: “This brings the aggregate savings by the government on personnel cost since 2007 to date to N288 billion.”

    According to her, the funds, which is now free for the government to fund capital projects, would have gone unaccounted for.

    The savings, she said, were achieved despite increased in personnel, including the employment of 10,000 by the Nigerian Police.

    She confirmed that a total of 511 Ministries,  Departments and Agencies (MDAs) had been captured under the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), with staff count of 607,843.

    She said: “As at  March 20,  2018 the number of MDAs on IPPIS Payroll is 469 with 316,158 staff count with gross salary of N43,979,383,997.78 and 42 Police Commands and Formations paid on IPPIS Platform in February, 2018 with staff count of 291,685 and gross salary of N22,276,669,257.21.

    “Staff of para-military agencies (Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Prison Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps) enrolled to date is 100,822 for which a trial payroll of N11,456,278,859.00 have been sent for review and update for April,  2018 payroll.”

    The introduction of the IPPIS, she said, had resulted in the reduction of ghost workers, enforcement of compliance with due process on employment of staff in MDAs, and prompt and timely payment of salaries and remittances of third parties payments.