Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has said that for every activity which his government undertakes since he came to power, there had always been financial gains to the people in different socio-economic categories; from the highly placed to those at the lower rung of the ladder.
Akinwumi, who spoke at a dinner he held in honour of the Presidential media team, under the umbrella of State House Press Corps, at the Lagos government House, Alausa last night (Friday), said that even the 50th anniversary of Lagos state, which is being celebrated with fanfare, has many benefits to the residents of the city and the state as a whole.
Members of the Presidential media team from various media organizations both in Nigeria and abroad, arrived in Lagos on Thursday evening for the annual retreat, and seized the opportunity to go round a few of the project which the governor had executed in his two years in office.
Governor Ambode said that those who criticized the golden Jubilee celebration as waste of scarce resources, might have understood that the money being spent is returning to the pockets of the people, including laboures, cleaners and housewives.
According to him, musicians, artisans, comedians, housewives, cleaners and others are making money by their participation in every aspect of the celebration, saying that the same money goes round the still come round within Lagos.
“we carry out projects no necessarily because we want to fulfill our electoral promises, but also to create opportunity for people to be gainfully engaged in making money by being employed to work on those project.”
The governor, who had earlier in the day, commissioned two road project at Epe, hs country home, about 80 kilomtres to Lagos and Ogudu inside the city, described himself as a messenger that had been placed by the people to better their lives, and would continue to do his best to fulfill the yearnings of such people.
The chairman of the State House Press Corps, Malam Ubale Musa thanked the governor, his information and strategy commissioner and the Chief Press Secretary, for hosting them even at a short notice.
He commended the governor for the landmark achievements his government had made within his tow years in office and wished that he would have the opportunity to continue to do more.
Meanwhile, at the commissioning of the road projet at Epe, Governor Ambode thanked tax payers in the state for performing their civic obligations,and that the taxes paid had been judiciously utilized to make life comfortable for the people through implementation of several projects.
The governor said that tax payers deserved to be commended for their efforts, saying: “our government is very grateful to Lagosians for their prayers and support particularly in the discharge of their civic responsibility through payment of taxes. It is my belief therefore, that we will continue to enjoy your unflinching support as we work together in transforming our state to the Lagos of Our Dream.
“On our part, we shall continue to ensure that your taxes are judiciously managed and utilized towards making life more comfortable for everybody,” he said.
Speaking at Epe, Ambode revealed plans by his administration to construct a standard eight-lane road from Ikorodu to Epe via Agbowa, Itoikin and Ijebu-Ode.
He said the road project would be delivered through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, while a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to that effect would be signed next week.
The governor also revealed that in a bid to scale up the socio-economic integration of the South West region, the State Government in partnership with Ogun State, would construct a top-class road from Mojoda to Ijebu-Ode junction.
The roads reconstructed and upgraded under the Epe Phase 1 Project included Lagos Road (Oke Osho/T. Junction/Aiyetoro Roundabout), Professor Agbalajobi (Aiyetoro Garage/Ita Marun-Ottin) and Oloja Estate (Bature/Otunba Adeniyi/Omotayo/Uthman Mustapha/Adekunle Rahman) roads.
Ambode, while commissioning the roads, said the completion of the project was in line with his promise during electioneering to address the challenges of gross infrastructural deficit, flooding and erosion that the people of Epe had lived with for decades.
He said: “It gladdens my heart to see that two years into the tenure of this administration, the dream of transforming Epe and its environs into a modern city is becoming a reality. The narrow roads are being redefined to give Epe a face lift. The network of roads have been complimented with street lights to provide illumination, improve security and enhance socio-economic activities.
“This is consistent with our pledge to ensure inclusive growth, where no part of the State will be left behind or neglected. The ongoing infrastructural development in Epe is a foundation for economic progress and development.” [myad]
