Ambode hosts town hall meeting, says Lagos to construct 181 roads this year

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos has stated that the State is ready to construct 181 roads this year, to compliment the 114 roads rehabilitated last year.

Governor Ambode made this assertion on Thursday, during the first Town Hall Meeting in the year, and the sixth in the series, which held at Ajelogo Housing Scheme, Akanimodo, Mile 12.

“2017 happens to be a special year in the history of Lagos when the Centre of Excellence reaches a landmark golden jubilee on May 27. Adequate preparations are being made to ensure that the 50th anniversary celebration of our dear State, the Centre of Excellence, reflects the rich culture and heritage of the people of Lagos.

“A lot of the feedbacks received here today, has centred on road construction and rehabilitation. As such, I would like say the State Government will be working on 181 roads this year. This means in each of the 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs, at least three roads will be effected, he said.

Another important area the governor mentioned, while responding to remarks by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, was the fact that Lagos Island would get a face lift this year. He said due to the continued and persistent plea of the monarch, he would ensure that the Ebute-Ero market gets a multilayer car park, same as has been planned for the Ladipo Market.

Governor Ambode, while giving his scorecard to the people of the district, said he would not relent in his resolve to ensure good governance in Lagos. According to him, 2017 promises to bring succour and new opportunities which would foster prosperity for the State and its residents.

“As a government, we will not relent in our efforts to achieve our dreams of making Lagos the foremost mega city in Africa through tourism initiatives and upgrade of infrastructure to international standards.

“In continuation of our quest to address housing deficit in Lagos, our administration’s “Rent-To-Own and Rental Housing Policy” came into effect last quarter to provide affordable housing units across the three Senatorial Districts. There are presently 4,355 units available with over 500 applicants prequalified so far and allocation will commence next week.

“This is a fulfilment of one of our promises to Lagosians. It gives you the opportunity to pay an initial deposit of money and subsequent rent is paid in monthly instalments as dictated by the terms of agreement. The total cost of the property is liquidated over a period of years and ownership transferred to the beneficiary.”

The governor said he was pleased with the partnership entered into with Kebbi State in the area of rice production.

“The first fruits of our partnership with Kebbi State Government, LAKE RICE, was launched in December. With this product, our government was able to offer affordable rice for sale to the entire residents of Lagos in all 57 Local Governments and Local Council Developments Areas during the year-end festivities. The sale of Lake Rice is still on-going at the same prices.

“We are rehabilitating the Oko-Oba Abattoir and Lairage Complex, Agege in line with the promise to increase meat production output, develop the redmeat value chain and restructure the complex for improved operations,” he said.

On roads and transport action infrastructure, Governor Ambode said efforts were ongoing to improve on all that had already been achieved.

“In the last quarter we completed the following roads and transportation improvement initiatives; Marwa/Depot Road, Ijegun-Egba in Amuwo Odofin.

The 500metres-long Imeke-Ajido Bridge in Badagry, Adisa Ajibulu in Oshodi, Adisa Balogun-Igboho Street, Alapere in Kosofe Local Government. There was also the signalization and junction improvement along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. Many others are on-going and will be completed soon.”

“Our government stepped up activities geared towards community policing to complement the police and other law enforcement agencies in the State by inaugurating the Board of the State’s Neighbourhood Safety Corps. The Safety Corps will become operational before the end of this quarter.

“With our efforts, a very significant reduction in crime was recorded in the State during the yuletide season. We remain committed to a safe environment. Our expenditure on security has been fruitful thus far,” he said.

On employment matters, he said the State had’nt done too badly. He said: “In December, we issued offer letters to successful candidiates under the first phase of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund initiative. We will intensify our efforts to assist our unemployed Youths and Artisans to access the funds available at the Employment Trust Fund.

“In the months ahead, our government will continue with our urban regeneration initiatives, building new infrastructure and maintaining existing ones. Some of the key projects we will undertake include: Agric-Isawo-Arepo Road in Ikorodu, Ajelogo – Akinomodo Road Rehabilitation, Oshodi to Murtala Mohammed Airport Road, Ketu – Alapere Inner Roads Phase II, Oke Oso – Araga – Poka in Epe, Topo Garage to VIP Chalet in Badagry.”

“There will be establishment of Bus Terminals and depots in Yaba, Ikeja, Oyingbo, Anthony, Ketu and Toll Gate. Also, full take-off of BRT along Abule-Egba-Oshodi axis.

More beneficiaries will receive funding from our Employment Trust Fund this month as we strive to energise the economy and create jobs through Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. These businesses would enjoy government support to ensure the ventures embarked upon are nurtured to healthy growth.

“The Ladipo Market, Mushin, which had been beset with the problem of congestion will be redesigned and reconstructed to accommodate a multi-layer car park that will eradicate the rigours of parking associated with the thriving market and its environs. ASPAMDA market in the International Trade Fair will also get a facelift in terms of Roads and Light,” he said.

He concluded by saying the Quarterly Town Hall meetings were introduced as a platform to connect with the people, not just to tell them what the government was doing, but also to hear directly from them. He said the people had been kept abreast of government’s activities because of the belief that, together with the people, government could build a State which everyone would be proud of.