Our aim is to take Lagos from Mega City to Smart City -Ambode

Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, will be celebrating two years in office come May 29, this year.

To say his administration has caught the eye with some of the achievements so far recorded, would be stating the obvious.

His two years in office becomes more significant, even as the historic state is celebrating its Golden Jubilee Anniversary this year.

From safety and security initiatives, to the light up Lagos scheme; from health to economy; from housing to job creation; from Agriculture to road infrastructure, among others, the governor believes there is more to be done in this chat. BENJAMIN OMOIKE reports.

******The Golden Jubilee Anniversary of any institution is indeed worthy of celebration, more so, a state such as Lagos. How does the governor view this?

At 50, we have every reason to celebrate our dear state and our collective achievements. I enjoin everyone to be part of the activities lined for the celebration of Lagos Golden Jubilee because you have all been part of the success story of Eko Akete – the Centre of Excellence.

I thank our party – the All Progressives Congress – for the opportunity and support in ensuring that this administration is a part of its success story. To all our party leaders and members, let us join hands and ensure continued success for this administration.

We cannot fail to mention and appreciate our founding fathers and predecessors who have worked assiduously in the last five decades for the growth and progress of Lagos State.

We appreciate the vision, tenacity of purpose and hard work which helped to shape our past and laid the foundation on which to build the prosperous future of our dear state.

Our administration remains committed to advancing the Lagos Mega City Project through judicious use of your continued regular payment of taxes. The aim, ultimately, is to transform Lagos from a Mega City to a Smart City,” he said.

*******In the area of safety and security, there have been noticeable improvements. Recently, the Neighbourhood Watch was rebranded. What should Lagosians expect as a result of this?

The Neighbourhood Watch was rebranded and launched as the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps and provided with equipment to combat illegal activities within the populace. The Neighbourhood Corps will complement the efforts of the police in curbing crime and criminality in the state.

Let it be clearly stated that they’re not in any way in competition with the police. Rather, they are to complement and assist in information gathering, especially at the grassroots.

They could equally assist in identifying criminals and lead the police to crime scenes. Generally, help to make the work of the police easier but not in any way compete with, equate themselves with, let alone take the place of the police.

*******Lagos is known for her sporting prowess. In the last one year, what would be the landmark achievement in this area?

The state successfully hosted the second edition of the Lagos International Marathon and this singular event attracted international attention through larger participation of foreign athletes.

Local athletes were not left out as well. This year’s event was bigger and better than the maiden edition in all ramifications. This is a true reflection of this government, to keep improving and getting better in all we do.

Only recently, we indicated interest in taking over the National Stadium in Surulere from the Federal Government. The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports and I, embarked on a tour of the facility and we saw all the challenges on ground.

I dare say, Lagos is ready to take over this facility of immense significance, for the benefit of our youths and Lagosians in general.

We believe that historic monuments such as the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, the National Museum in Lagos Island, among other notable places of historical significance, especially if they’re within our domain; shouldn’t be allowed to rot or to waste away, hence, our desire to be a part of their transformation.

*******One major concern for every Lagosian, especially the youths, is the issue of job creation. How has Lagos fared in this regard?

The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund continues to fulfill its mandate of providing subsidised loans to our entrepreneurs.

The Fund has now approved loans of N1.7 billion to 1,400 businesses, and out of this, N1.2 billion has already been disbursed to 800 people.

By the end of this month, loans to another 1,000 businesses will be approved, taking the total loans approved above 2,000.

To further serve Lagos residents, the Fund will soon open the application process for skills development and training to help our unemployed youths take up existing jobs within the Lagos economy.

I urge all concern to visit the Fund’s website or their liaison offices in the local governments to apply for their various programs.

******What has been the lot of pensioners?

A total of N16.9billion was released as payment of pension arrears to pensioners in Lagos State between April 2016 and March 2017, while, like I said earlier, close to N2billion has been disbursed to young entrepreneurs and artisans under the N25billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) scheme.

My administration has maintained a consistent programme of actively reflating the economy through massive expenditure in infrastructural development and engaging competent local contractors who in turn employ the people.

Basically, I am delighted at the fact that the consistent investment of the state government in critical sectors has contributed to the resurgence of the economy, in the face of recession.

We are relentless in our commitment to providing a conducive, safe and secure enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Efforts are being made daily to improve the ease of doing business in the state especially by working to ensure that all businesses have all they require to succeed, even in a recession.

Our Light Up Lagos initiative has given traders and artisans extended time to carry out their businesses as we move towards our 24/7 economy. With these actions, we will energise the economy and ensure that commercial activities continue in the state.

******Lagos has been jokingly referred to as, ‘a construction site’, by some observers, due to the numerous road construction and rehabilitation work spread across the state. Which would be the major projects completed in the last one year?

We are not leaving any stone unturned in our quest to ensure better living conditions for every Lagosian. In the last quarter, the following road projects were completed: Bridge linking Aboru to Abesan, in Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council of Alimosho Local Government Area and adjoining inner roads.

We had the construction of Aradagun- Iworo – Ajido Phase 1, Bridge, there was also the rehabilitation of Bankole Oki Street, Ikoyi in Eti-Osa L.G.A. There was the rehabilitation of Alli Dada Road in Oshodi-Isolo L.G.A.

We were able to complete the construction of the 2nd Pedestrian Bridge at Ojota, Kosofe Local Government; not forgetting the rehabilitation of Admiralty Way in Lekki Peninsular Scheme 1, and the rehabilitation of Omotayo Banwo/Kola Iyaomolere Street in Kosofe, among others.

Let me add that, regarding our economy, we inaugurated an Economic Advisory Team comprising 12 renowned, tested and versatile individuals to render advice that will accelerate the Lagos State Development Plan. With this in place, we are sure not to encounter any hitches as we set out to take Lagos to the next level.

On housing matters, there is no gain saying that there is a deficit, considering a population of well over 22 million.

The first set of 100 beneficiaries of the newly designed Lagos Rent-To-Own Initiative has moved into the allocated housing units and has become home owners under the scheme.

Another set of 200 applicants of the initiative received keys of ownership recently, bringing the total number so far to 300 beneficiaries, and still counting. Our promise is to sustain the policy with the partnership of private investors.

We have 4,000 housing units yet to be subscribed for across different parts of the state and we have already mapped out a sustainability strategy such that upon exhausting the available units, partnership collaboration would be ignited with the private sector for another round of 20,000 housing units.

Beyond any doubt, the state government made 100 residents of the state house owners in their own rights last month. This month also, another set of 200 home owners have emerged under this initiative.

We will continue with this method until the housing deficit in the state is reasonably bridged.

More housing units are already being built in Sangotedo in Eti-Osa, Ajara in Badagry, Igbogbo in Ikorodu and Egan-Igando in Alimosho.

******On Agriculture, Education and Information Technology

Regarding Agriculture, we have commenced the upgrade of the 167-hectare Songhai Model Farm in Avia-Igborosun, Badagry to encourage organic agriculture and train citizens interested in agro-business for local consumption or export.

We trained 540 fishermen across the state on the use of fishing equipment to improve their skills as well as optimise their understanding of the trade and boost income.

What we intend to achieve is to empower our people at the grassroots and ensure all round productivity.
Our Lake rice partnership scheme with Kebbi State has already yielded positive dividend, and still promises to yield even more.

On education, 18 public Secondary schools were equipped with state-of-the-art libraries across Education Districts and we have been able to establish the Lagos Digital Library, which is an online repository of education.

This is also being deployed to improve the learning experience of the students and equip them with information technology skills and access.

Of course, we realise that ICT is the order of the day. As such, we launched the first-of-its-kind in Lagos, internet-based mobile app – Citizens Gate – for instant interaction between government and the people. The major objective of this project is to bring government closer to the people.

*****Two years and still counting, what more should residents of Lagos expect from this government?

Well, in this quarter, we intend to kick start the implementation of the Cleaner Lagos Initiatives, as well as implement the construction of 181 roads across the 57 LGs/LCDAs, complete the Abule-Egba and Ajah flyover bridges, further signalization of Lekki – Ajah express road and continuation of road network upgrade in all the three Senatorial Zones.

Furthermore, initiatives for tourism will be intensified by commencing development of Heritage Centre for Leadership (Presidential Lodge), Lagos History Centre, J.K Randle Centre, Transformation of the Onikan Museum, Development of tourism hubs in Lagos-West and Lagos-East.

We intend to construct six Cultural Theatres in Alimosho, Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Ikeja and Lagos Mainland; the continuation of Epe and Badagry Waterfront development as well as other tourist potentials in the area, are also in the pipeline.