- We Saved N3billion monthly — Ambode
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
Amid heavy rainfall, residents of Alimosho filed out in their large numbers to listen to Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to render his account of stewardship at the maiden edition of his quarterly town hall meeting.
The event, which took place at Abesan Mini Stadium, Lagos, Abesan Housing Estate, Ipaja, saw Ambode revealing that efforts to stabilise the finances of the state had helped to save about N3billion monthly.
In attendance at the occasion were the state deputy governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule; Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central District; Senator Solomon Olamilekan, representing Lagos West; All Progressives Congress APC) Chairman, Lagos Chapter, Chief Henry Ajomale; members of the state House of Assembly; Oba Rilwanu Akiolu I; Chief Kemi Nelson, APC Women Leader, Lagos Chapter; Permanent Secretaries; traditional chiefs; as well as leaders of market women and men.
The event revealed that a template for budget appropriations will be determined by the outcome of town hall meetings, considering the requests and response of Ambode in Abesan.
Several observations, demands as well as lapses in government were made by residents before the governor who promised to address all concerns raised in next year’s budget.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, Ambode said his administration embarked on financial re-engineering and reviewed the revenue and expenditure framework of the state, saying the efforts, coupled with the realignment of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, have saved government almost N3 billion every month.
“This has provided us with more funds to inject into capital projects and the initial funds to establish the Employment Trust Fund which we promised our youths”, he said..
The governor who reiterated his vision to make Lagos globally competitive in all sectors, said his administration had mapped out long-term programmes that will lead the state on the path to becoming a truly competitive city-state.
Ambode explained that the forum was in fulfilment of his promise in his inaugural speech, on May 29th, to operate a government of inclusion where he, as governor, would have regular interactions with the people to discuss plans, programmes and progress of his administration as well as rub minds on issues bordering on the development of the state.
According to him, he decided to change from the traditional “100 Days Address” to an interactive quarterly report as one of the many platforms designed to bring government closer to the people.
Achievements
Highlighting his administration’s strides in the last four months, the governor said that, apart from using the period to set up an institutional framework to pilot the programmes and policies of government, remarkable interventions and reforms were made in the areas of road rehabilitation, health care, security, service delivery, transportation and education.
Road infrastructure
Ambode revealed that about N1.3billion had been spent on construction and rehabilitation of over 190 roads across the state, most of which were not catered for in the 2015 budget.
He listed the roads to include Agege Motor Road, Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, Murtala Muhammed Way, Isolo, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Dopemu Road, Agege, Akowonjo Road, Akowonjo, Obalende Bridge, Obalende, Isaac John Road, GRA and Apapa Road, Ebute Meta.
Other roads include Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Toyota-Charity Axis, Olufemi Street, Shomolu, Billy Street, Epe, Aswani Road, Isolo, Yekini Street, Shogunle, Oshodi, Isawo Road, Ikorodu, some of which are federal roads.
“As I speak, work has commenced on the Ago Palace Way-Okota Road. The state, in conjunction with your local governments and local council development area, is coming to your neighborhood soon”, the governor said.
“The Ejigbo–Ikotun Road, Okota-Cele Road, Metalbox Road and Acme Road in Ikeja are currently being rehabilitated, while work has started on Brown Street, Oshodi, Ladipo Street as well as Mushin Road.
“Till date, we have committed N1.386billion to road construction and rehabilitation. We will pump more funds into road infrastructure in this present quarter”.
Ambode said he was determined to be accountable for every revenue and expenditure of the state. Read full on Vanguard
