•Task him to do more

By Mike Ebonugwo & Olasunkanmi Akoni

IT was more or less a day of self-appraisal and testimonies for a job well done. In the limelight of this carnival-like event was the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who came prepared that Thursday to render account of his stewardship to the people of the state.

*Pictorial representation of the 4th Mainland Bridge….A priority of the Ambode administration

This was in line with the concept which he introduced as a process of directly engaging the people on their views about governance and more importantly where government should intervene in issues affecting them. It was indeed an opportunity for the governor to let the people know the numerous projects he embarked upon in the past ten months. He also took time to feel the pulse of residents and respond to the many petition placed before him by residents of the state.

The Ikorodu Town Hall venue of the First Quarter 2016 Town Hall Meeting, was jam-packed as early as 9am, with top government functionaries, former public office holders, traditional rulers, community leaders, party chieftains, market men and women, youths, religious leaders, artisans, members of the private sector, among others, in attendance.

Notable traditional rulers who participated fully at the event included the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotebi; the Alara of Ilara-Epe, Oba Akeem Adesanya; Ranodu of Imota, Oba Adeniyi Agoro; Aladesanyi of Odonaforija Kingdom, HRM Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja; the Apase of Epe Land, Chief Sakiru Akanni Seriki, Lagos White Cap chiefs, among others.

Fourth Mainland Bridge
Giving account of how he has managed the state over the last quarter, Ambode informed that the State Government will formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with investors for the construction of the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge before the end of next month, adding that once the agreement is signed, work would begin on the bridge, which according  to him, would go a long way to boost the economy of Lagos East Senatorial District.

He said: “Many investors have shown interest in the actualisation of our dream for the Fourth Mainland Bridge which will run from Ajah to Ikorodu to Isawo and berth at Ojodu, Ikeja back to the Ibadan expressway. By the grace of God, we will sign an MoU and commence action before May 29.”

He revealed that investors have equally shown interest in the redevelopment of the fish market to an international Fish Market and the redevelopment of inner roads in Epe and Ibeju-Lekki.

Ambode said the intention of his administration is to ensure that no part of the state is left undeveloped, expressing optimism that the Lagos East Senatorial District which used to be the economic hub of the state in the then Western Region will regain its position.

According to him: “Over the years, the economic activities have continually dwindled resulting in urban migration, underdevelopment and unemployment.  It is with a view of revitalizing the economic activities of this zone that government has identified the need for urgent intervention.

“To this end, government will be relocating the Mile 12 Market to Imota.  Our vision is to make the East Senatorial Zone economically viable and liveable”.

Total ban on Okada
Responding to complaints on the menace of commercial motorcycle operators popularly known as Okada in the State, Ambode asked the people whether they would support a total ban on this mode of transportation in Lagos which is aspiring for a mega-city status, to which majority of stakeholders present answered in the affirmative by raising their hands in support.

“From the response, many of the people in this hall are in support of a total ban on Okada and since this is a government of the people, all the security agencies in Lagos including the Police, Task Force, LASTMA and others, are hereby directed to fully enforce the ban on Okada between Mile 12 and Ikorodu.

“We will not tolerate Okada on the road and I hereby emphasise that there is no more Okada on Mile 12-Ikorodu Road. Anyone caught flouting this directive will have their Okada impounded and we would prosecute such people as well before the court,” the Governor said.

Ambode urged street urchins and youths involved in social vices such as cultism to lay down their arms assuring that they would be empowered to be gainfully and productively engaged.

He said the plan of his administration is that youths, artisans and entrepreneurs in each of the senatorial districts and divisions in the State would be able to access at least N1billon between now and June from the Employment Trust Fund, ETF, and use same for their greater economic prosperity, and by extension that of the State.

Ambode, who also responded to pleas by residents in Ikorodu on the need for the expansion and rehabilitation of the road network, assured that government will explore the Public Private Partnership, PPP, initiative to transform the Ikorodu-Imota-Agbowa-Itokin-Epe Road into a standard 8-lane Road.

He also directed the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources as well as the State Electricity Board to look at the possibilities of providing electricity for Igbo-Olomu community in Ikorodu who have been without light for over 10 years.

Security as a priority
Ambode said since the launch of the N4.78 billion equipment, the state had won several battles against crime. He said the quick response in the rescue of the kidnapped girls in Ikorodu and the quelling of the Mile 12 riot were testimonies of the effectiveness of the security system in Lagos.

“I am ready to pay monetary compensation for information on hardened criminals as we proceed to make Lagos crime-free. We are happy to report that crime rate has also reduced in the last three months,” he said.

Ambode also used the occasion to appeal to residents to continue to pay their taxes, take ownership of projects the government has initiated and support the government to achieve the policies and programmes aimed at ensuring a safe and prosperous Lagos.

While responding to request from residents on the action plan of government on water transportation, Ambode said his administration would soon roll out comprehensive programme on this, saying plans are in top gear to transform water transportation in Lagos to world class. He said government would embark on channelisation of the waterways and construct modern jetties and embark on massive campaign to encourage the people to embrace water transportation.

Responding to concerns raised by the disabled, Ambode said a Disability Fund to be managed by the disabled people themselves would soon be launched, assuring that he would never forget such category of people.

While responding to submission of Alhaja Omoniyi Akashoro, the Iya-Oja of Ikorodu on the need for market, motor park and health centre to be constructed in the area, Ambode said he was thrilled by the woman’s revelation of available land in the area which could be used to build the said infrastructure. Ambode therefore, directed the Lagos State Ministries of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Transportation and Health to look into the request and come up with immediate action plan to commence work on the projects.

He also announced that the Stadium in Igbogbo would be upgraded and transformed to boost sporting activities in the Lagos East zone.