How has Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu been grappling with the tasks of governance since he was sworn in for a second term last year? Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the achievements of the administration in its fifth year.
Since May 29, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been building on the feats of the first term that made Lagosians to renew his mandate during last year’s poll.
The challenges are the same. The solutions, as articulated in the THEMES agenda, are apt. The advantage is that government can be guided by previous experience. The goals are consolidation and delivery of expanded dividends of democracy.
The focus of the second term, apart from consolidating on the gains of the first four years, is infrastructural development. No matter the effort of any governor of Lagos, now and in the foreseeable future, infrastructural deficit may still continue to persist in the state due to the daily influx of people into the metropolis, the growth of economic activities and the consistent pressure of existing facilities.
In the last five years, Sanwo-Olu has received accolates as a visionary,hardworking and dynamic helmsman, who has justified the confidence reposed in him by demonstrating sterling qualities and marks of statesmanship. Party leaders have hailed his courage, patriotism, humility, loyalty to the progressive platform and compassion for the people.
Eminent politician and Governance Advisory Council (GAC) leader, Prince Oluyole Olusi, observed that the governor has stuck to the Lagos Blueprint for Development and successfully built on the feats of his predecessors-Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode-which have made the Centre of Excellence a reference point in the country.
“This means that there is continuity of development and progress in Lagos,” he added.
Other chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have testified to Sanwo-Olu’s leadership traits and styles of governance, which have fostered inclusivity and contributed to the atmosphere of peace in party and harmony in the state.
There is cordial legislative/executive relationship in Lagos State in an atmoshere of separation of powers and checks and balances.
To observers, Sanwo-Olu was prepared for the honour, privilege and duty of leading Lagos at a crucial time. His predecessor, Akinwunmi Ambode, could not secure a second term, due to the rejection of his bid by the party. Having been learning the ropes from 2003 when he served as senior special assistant, through his stints as special adviser and commissioner, to being head of a critical parastatal, his competence was not in doubt.
Sanwo-Olu hit the ground running, aided by his cabinet of talents. However, the state ran into an emergency. Governance would have been slowed down, if the governor had slept on guard. Apart from an explosion in some areas, the state was not insulated from the global pestilence, Corona Visus.
Sanwo-Olu became the Incident Commander. As victims of policè brutality were on rampage, Lagos bore more brunts. There was commotion. Critical infrastructures were destroyed. It was a huge cost to the state. But, the governor was able to restore order to a state of pandemonium.
Sanwo-Olu has presided over a government of transparency and accountability. The feedback mechanism was strengthened. Not only are developmental projects evenly distributed among the three senatorial districts and five divisions of Lagos, Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry and Ikeja, based on need analysis, the governor’s ears are also on ground because he is accessible to stakeholders.
There is a lot to show for the first term-new roads, new primary and secondary schools, two new universities-technological and medical-a virile primary health system, improved transportation system, security, greater ease of doing business and an atmosphere of peace.
The second term is not about tea party.
Infrastructure:
The greatest challege is infrastructural development. Residents are excited about the 3.89 kilometre-long Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge. They look forward towards its completion before tge second year of the administration.
The administration has completed many intra-city and inter-town roads, including the first phase of the Lekki-Epe Expressway; Oba Sekumade Road, T.O.S Benson Road, Ikorodu, 34 inner roads at Kosofe, Somolu, Victoria Island and Ikoyi; 384-capacity multi-level car park at Onikan;
three network of roads at Oniru, Victoria Island [Adeola Hopewell, Idowu Taylor and Afribank/Churchgate Streets]; Mac Donald Road/Lateef Jakande Roads, Milverton Road and Thompson Avenue in Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government and Ijede Road Phase 1 in Ikorodu.
Other completed roads are 1.4 km flyover and dual carriageway Pen-Cinema Bridge, Agege; Tedi-Muwo Link Bridge, Lagos-Ogun boundary Roads in Alimosho and Agbado-Oke–Odo; 31 network of Roads in Ojokoro Local Council; 13.68 kilometers Oshodi-Abule-Egba BRT corridor; reconfigured six Junction/Roundabouts – Allen, Ikotun, Maryland, Lekki and Ajah [under Traf fic Management Intervention Plan (TMIP]; and 110 palliatives and 361 sectional rehabilitated roads; Also, 650 inner roads were rehabilitated by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation [LSPWC).
Transportation:
Some governors have visited Lagos to see how the intra-city rail is functioning. The first phase of the Lagos Red Rail Line from Agbado to Oyingbo was completed. Also commissioned was the first phase of the Lagos Blue Line Rail spanning Mile 2 to Marina.
Sanwo-Olu has launched the LagRide with 1,000 units of Sport Utility Vehicles [SUVs]. He also commissioned four Bus Terminals – Mafoluku, Yaba, Oyingbo and Ajah, completed 78 bus shelters/bus depots while 22 are ongoing, and employed 1,300 LASTMA officers to manage traffic
Traffic lights and CCTV cameras are deployed in strategic places in the state. To make city transportation easier and accessible, 14 new BRT stations were built. The administration also launched 500 units of First and Last Mile (FLM) buses as alternative means of transportation. The governor explained that the move was to address the security threat constituted by commercial motorcycles, popularly known as ‘okada.’
Governalso injected 560 high-medium capacity buses for standard routes and 700 jobs were created for Lagosians via LBSL operations.
Water transportation has been improved upon.
LAGFERRY now operates on 21 boats. Initially, eight new boats were inaugurated by the governor on February 6, 2020, while seven new ones were added to the fleet on June 22nd, 2021.
LAGFERRY began operations from two new routes of Bayeku–Oke-Ira Nla – Badore and Ilaje Bariga–Victoria Island – Falomo – CMS/Marina – Ebute Ero. Many jetties now exist in Badagry, Amuwo Odofin, Ikorodu, Epe, Apapa, Lagos Island and Eti-Osa councils.
Health:
Sanwo-Olu has established 10 Triage and Oxygen centres, in additiin to activating the Oxygen Plant at Yaba for COVID-19
As the Incident Commander, he commenced the administration of COVID-19 Moderna vaccine 183 designated centres.
As part of efforts to tackle the third wave of Coronavirus, 10 COVID-19 Oxygen Treatment and Sample Collection Centres as well as 20 Local Government Area (LGA) Based Sample Collection Sites were activated.
The administration has expanded medical facilities in the Mother and Child Center (MCC) in Epe, Ajah, Badagry and Igando. The reconstruction of the New Massey’s Street Children Hospital is ongoing. The Health Commissioner, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said when completed, it will be the biggest children hospital in Africa.
Public health facilities at Ebute-Meta Health Centre, Harvey Road Health Centre, General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, General Hospital, Isolo and Ketu-Ejirin Health Centre were also renovated.
The Jigi Bola initiative was revamped across the councils. Beneficiaries were saved from blindness.
Also, 15 families of persons living with cerebral palsy and down syndrome were supported with N1million to N2.5million each
No fewer than 1,417 residents successfully had pediatric eye surgery, adult eye surgery, pediatric surgery, dental surgery, orthopedic surgery and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgery.
Environment:
Due to its peculiar terrain, Lagos is prone to flooding. Efficient waste disposal mechanism is key. The drains should never be blocked. Thus, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA)began a Lagos at 4am programme that is aimed at stemming the tide of indiscriminate waste disposal across the metropolis.
The Olusosun Dumpsite was expanded to 42 acres to accommodate more waste and ensure that trucks can have a quicker turnaround time. A Resource Centre at the Olusosun dumpsite was set up to enhance the capacity of LAWMA to collect recyclable materials.
Government has acquired 102 compactor trucks and 100 double dino bins were locally assembled for LAWMA. It has also commissioned Dr. Oluyomi Abayomi Finnih Recreational Park, Oregun. LAWMA Academy was inaugurated to promote environmental cleanliness. The agency acquired a Briquette facility, which can process about 1,700 kg of sawdust per hour, in Agbowa (Ikorodu division). It also launched the Lagos State Blue Box Recycling at the Simpson Transfer Loading Station, Lagos Island.
Education:
The Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) have commended the governor for defending education through improved funding.
To motivate the heads of schools, new SUVs were given to 13 outstanding teachers and school administrators in 2022 and 2023
The governor commissioned a containerised 12-classroom block with facilities such as an interactive touch screen, mini football pitch and a multi-sports court at the Vetland Junior Grammar School, Ojokoro on Wednesday, June 28, 2022.
He also built an 18-classroom school, with recreational facilities, in Elemoro Junior Secondary School, Ibeju-Lekki axis. At the Model College, Igbokuta, 180-bed hostel and block of classrooms, were built.
The Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) was upgraded to the Lagos State University of Science and Technology while Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOD), Ijanikin, and the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCOPED), Epe were merged to become Lagos State University of Education (LASUED).
At the Lagos State University (LASU), 4,000 flats for the staff were built.
Other feats in the sector include the renovation and digitalisation of 243 public secondary schools’ libraries, recruitment of 1,000 public secondary school teachers, supply of educational infrastructure to schools, inckuding furniture, construction of 70 new school buildings, and renovation of libraries in Epe, Badagry, Eti-Osa, Amuwo-Odofin and Ikorodu.
Housing:
To mitigate housing deficit, the administration has completed a number of housing projects. They include 48 units of Greater Lagos LBIC Apartments in Ogba-Ijaiye, Pen-Cinema of Agege; 480-unit housing project in Ibeshe, Ikorodu. 774 housing units (LagosHOMS), Sangotedo Phase 1; 100 housing units in Ikate, Lekki, Lagos; 360 home units, comprising 120-units home in Igbogbo in the Ikorodu; 252 home units, Idale, Badagry; 84 home units in LagosHoms Lekki, Phase 2; 132 home units (88 home units and 44 home units of 3-bedroom apartments respectively) at the BRF Housing Estate, Iponri, Surulere; 120 units Courtland Villas, Igbokushu, Lekki; 360 units at Igbogbo in Ikorodu, and 660 units at Odo-Onosa-Ayandelu Housing Scheme in Agbowa LCDA.
Tourism:
Tourism and entertainment are being developed in the state to achieve a dual objectives of job creation and increased revenue to government.
Government has completed the New Glover Hall, Lagos , the J.K Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture, Onikan; youth centres and mini stadium in Lagos Island, Badagry, Ikeja, Magodo, Abesan, Akowonjo, Ikorodu, Epe, and Isheri-Magodo.
In Ejinrib, Epe Division, the Film City sits on 100 hectares of land. Its completion will boost the entertainment industry. Already, the four state theatres in Epe, Badagry, Ikeja and Igando have been completed.
Lagos State government Instituted N1billion tourism palliative for operative of the sector to cushion the ef fect of COVID-19 on their businesses. It also partnered with three private firms to train creative practitioners in digital film making, documentary, fashion, arts and craft etc. under an initiative tagged Lagos State Creative Industry Initiative (LACI).
Security:
Lagos has remained largely peaceful, despite its soaring population and growth in economic activities. Although the governor is a decorative chief security officer, like his colleagues in lther 35 states, without direct control of the police, he has tried frantically to secure the state.
There is synergy between the state government and security agencies on the core priority of protection of lives and property.
The administration has supported the police to discharge its duties. Its interventions include the completion construction of Police Post in Ise, Elemoro and Ilashe; Christopher Olatunde Segun High and Magistrate Courthouse, Badore, Ajah,
inauguration of Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC) at Ojo council, Iba, Alimosho and Ijede, renovation of the library at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba; rovision of standard Police interview room with recording equipment at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, construction of Administrative blocks in Police Area Command, Elemoro, Ibeju-Lekki (Phase II), Idimu (Phase II and Elemoro, Ibeju-Lekki (Phase 111), and Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC) and Office of the Public Defender (OPD) in Alimosho.
In addition, Lagos State government also established the Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry Section and donated security equipment worth billions of naira to the Police. These include patrol vehicles, patrol motorcycles, high capacity troupe carriers, anti-riot canon vehicles, armoured personnel carriers and security gadgets.
