Press Releases

1,600 Days: "We Have Been Diligent, Committed, Faithful To Our Promises", Says Fashola
• Urges Lagosians to shun the opposition at the Local Government level

Oct 15, 2011 - In keeping with his tradition since 2007, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), at the weekend rendered the stewardship of his administration in the last 1,600 days saying his Government has so far shown diligence, commitment and faithfulness in serving the people of Lagos.

Governor Fashola, who spoke at the LTV 8 Blue Roof Multi-purpose Hall venue of the occasion, said contrary to the accusation by the opposition party that his Government has been complacent in the second term; the administration has made tremendous progress even beyond what it achieved during the same period in the first tenure.

These achievements, the Governor said, could be seen in the area of Education where Government has improved the infrastructure in the State's University (LASU), appointed a new Vice-Chancellor, reviewed the Visitation Panel's Report and released report of the accepted recommendations and awarded contracts for the reconstruction of 197 classrooms at the primary and secondary school levels, among other projects.

It could also be seen, according to him, in the area of the Environment where, "in spite of the unwelcome visit of inclement and severe rainfall, the State has remained a model of environmental commitment and standard with the on-going cleaning and construction of drainages in Agege, Babs-Animashaun, Somolu, Lekki, Ijora and Ilasamaja.

Other achievements made in the area of the Environment, the Governor said, include continued annual tree planting campaign, hosting of African Mayors' Conference on Climate Change, addition of 100 compactor trucks to the fleet of the PSP Waste Collectors and the commissioning of the Oshodi Transfer Loading Station with the first purpose built medical waste auto-clave plant in West Africa.

"In the area of Transportation, our commitment to safety and global competitiveness is visible to our worst critics, even if our cynical opponents require "jigi Bola" to notice it", Governor Fashola said adding that many Lagos roads are being adorned with street signs, traffic lights and thermo-plastic lane markings and zebra-crossings to assist motorists and pedestrians as well as manage traffic.

Urging all motorists to obey the signs, Governor Fashola, who cited the example of a taxi driver whom he observed voluntarily obeying the traffic light late at night on one of the roads in Ikoyi, declared, "The truth is that your Government is alive, responsive and working. We will commend law-abiding citizens and sanction criminals".

Still on roads, the Governor said his administration has commenced the implementation of its promise to improve the quality of neighbourhood and inner-city roads adding that so far new contracts have been awarded for the rehabilitation of eight roads in Aguda, continuation of the rehabilitation of 16 aging roads in Mushin and three roads in Ogudu while the design of the Mile-12 Ikorodu Road has been completed.

"We have completed Iju Road and we are making progress on Ibeshe Road in Ikorodu while the link road in Amuwo Odofin, between Apapa - Oshodi Expressway and FESTAC Link Bridge is now open to traffic", the Governor said adding that work is in progress on the design of numerous other roads across the State.

Speaking specifically of the recently commissioned Falomo new link bridge, Governor Fashola, who noted that it is part of the benefits of the Concession on the Eti-osa- Lekki Expressway, declared, "If we get more of these investments, we will free up limited funds to accelerate development in other parts that are not yet commercially attractive to our investors".

The Governor also added that after the third quarter budget review, the aggregate January to September performance of the 2011 Budget rose from 57 percent to 66.5 percent in the third quarter adding, "Although this is higher than the average which our visionless opponents post, they do not represent our own Eldorado"

Other areas where progress has been made, he said, include Water Transportation where transportation route has been increased from one in 2007 to 12 to date, Housing, where Government has recently launched the Lagos HOMS website, Housing Arbitration Rules in preparation for the launch of the Lagos Home Ownership Scheme and handed over several Housing Estates, and Security where Government has added 60 power patrol bikes and six patrol boats to strengthen the security motorized fleet and the increase of police area commands in the State to five.

He commended the men and women of the State Police Command, the OP MESA, the RRS and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad for their diligence and commitment in serving the State adding that the design for the five Area Commands which will be located in Elemoro, Ijede, Alimosho, Ilashe and Morogbo, have been concluded.

Governor Fashola also announced the approval of new street lighting infrastructure for Ikorodu Road from Fadeyi to Mile 12, expressing regrets, however, that four kilometers of cable between Eko Bridge/Ijora/Alaka, was stolen by thieves. He warned that while the replacement was being effected security agents are on the trail of both the cable thieves and the buyers.

On the 1,500 Days which was not celebrated as usual, Governor Fashola explained, "The 1,500 day milestone came shortly after our inauguration on May 29, 2011 and because we are a continuing Government, we did not participate in the usual first 100 day reporting but opted instead to issue a press statement to retain our connection and keep our communication with you secure".

According to him, between the 1,400th Day and 1,500th Day, his administration submitted itself "for re-evaluation and re-election before the electorate and the verdict was overwhelming", adding, "We inflicted a crushing defeat on a disorganized and intellectually deficient opposition who did not win a single electoral seat in any of the State and Federal Constituencies".

Aside from the inauguration of the new House of Assembly and the Constitution of the State Executive Council, the administration also commenced early planning and meetings at all levels of Government "to build the new team into a cohesive and purposeful unit", the Governor said.

"We signed into law several legislations whose implementation will help us improve the service delivery that you expect of us and raise the standard of life", the Governor said listing some of the laws to include the Disability Law, the Tenancy Law and "a new Criminal law that annuls a 97 year old criminal law inherited from the Colonial Government which now makes provision for the protection of women and helps us secure the State better against criminals".

Caroeting the opposition for accusing his administration of complacency, Governor Fashola declared, "It is clear they do not know the meaning of the word. If they did, they should understand that their comment should be directed at their party that has been unable to generate electricity after 12 years and billions of dollars, as if power generation is a new Science".

"Let me tell them what complacency in governance means. In Lagos State, it means the inability of their party to fund and complete the reconstruction of the damaged Ejigbo Road. It means their party's inability to construct a rail transport network that will free tankers from our roads and bridges in Apapa and Tin-Can Island, it means their party's inability to keep the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in good repair; it means their party's inability to maintain Eko Bridge; It is extremely charitable to describe their party as complacent, the truth is that they are clueless", Governor Fashola said.

Urging the Lagos electorates not to give any seat to the opposition in the coming Local Government election, Governor Fashola pointed out that the power to remove the opposition party lies in their ballot paper adding, "The poverty development party must never again be allowed to manage public funds at any time in Nigeria. The journey to realizing that objective must start in the Local Government election holding in Lagos".

"In the same way that you have banished them out of Lagos in the State and Federal elections, I urge you to ensure that they do not enter through the back door of the Local Government election", the Governor said adding that the Government was already working on a comprehensive plan to enable it assist the Local Governments in the management of their responsibility for primary healthcare and primary education.

The well-received address of the Governor was followed by an interactive session with questions coming from the public and other concerned stakeholders.

Also present at the occasion were the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, Commissioner for Works, Dr. Femi Hamzat, among other members of the State Executive Council, members of the State House of Assembly, first Military Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Local Government Chairmanship candidates of the Action Congress of Nigeria in next Saturday's Local Government election, Traditional Rulers, Clergymen and other top government officials and Private Sector Operators.