Ayodele Olalere
As Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is set to mark his second year in office, some Lagosians have commended the governor for his achievements within the short period he assumed office.
Sanwo-Olu got the commendations for the projects completed despite of the Covid-19 pandemic and the EndSars protest that rocked the state last year.
Mr Ranti Onabanjo, an oil mogul while praising the governor said the recent success recorded in freeing the Apapa axis of traffic gridlock was a testimony that Sanwo-Olu’s administration was committed to fulfilling its campaign promises.
According to him, the implementation of the call-up system for trucks had helped to reduce travel time and would improve business activities in that corridor.
“I want to thank the governor for taking the issue of Apapa seriously. We have suffered enough on this road because of trailers parking on the expressway. But the governor has shown genuine commitment to bringing to end the perennial traffic jam.
“For those of us with our businesses here, the recent development is a good one. At least we could go through that road with no fear of spending hours in traffic before getting to our destinations. I know as time goes on, the axis will be totally free of traffic. We are grateful,” he said.
A resident of Agege, Mrs Oluwaseun Akinyemi also commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for the completion of Agege Pen Cinema bridge, saying that despite the circumstances that surrounded the emergence of Sanwo-Olu as the governor of the state, he did not play the politics of hatred but completed several projects left by his predecessor.
“The governor has done well in the last two years. I especially appreciate him for completing some projects the last administration could not complete or abandoned. Initially, I thought he was not going to complete the projects especially the Agege bridge if you look at events that occurred before his emergence but the governor has shown maturity by completing the bridge.
“He has shown that governance is a continuous thing. Even the completion of the BRT lane from Oshodi to Abule-Egba was a good gesture from the governor. In my view, he has done well but I believe he will do better before the end of his tenure,” she said.
A legal practitioner, Mr Dan Richard, in his contribution, commended the governor for the manner he handled the EndSars crisis. According to him, Governor Sanwo-Olu displayed his leadership skills in handling the crisis. He also praised the governor for committing resources to waterways transportation, adding that had helped to decongest movement on the roads.
He, however, appealed to the governor to look at the light-up project by the last administration and ensure traffic lights are restored.
As part of activities to mark his second year in office, the state government has lined up several projects to be inaugurated. The celebration starts on April 27.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Governor Sanwo-Olu would be unveiling several iconic projects in a continuation of his rebuild Lagos projects.
“The mid-term report will begin with briefings by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government rendering accounts of their achievements in the past two years. Events of the second-year anniversary include media interviews and interaction of key members of the Lagos State Executive Council, including Dr. Hamzat, with the media and various segments of society,” the statement stated.
“Mr. Governor will unveil iconic projects in the Health, Education, Transportation, Housing and other sectors, besides the various infrastructure projects that have been completed during his tenure.
The ground-breaking of the New Massey Street Children’s hospital, which is billed to be the biggest in Africa, will be performed by Mr. Governor. New schools and housing units will be commissioned.
“Since taking the oath of office, Governor Sanwo-Olu has commissioned roads across the state, such as the Tedi-Muwo Road and Link Bridge at the Lagos-Ogun State boundary that cuts across Alimoso and Agbado-Oke Odo; the 1.4km dual carriage Pen Cinema Bridge; the 13.68 kilometres Oshodi-Abule-Egba BRT corridor; 31 networks of roads in Ojokoro LCDA as well as six junction improvement projects to tackle traffic congestion under the Traffic Management Intervention Plan.”
“In Lekki, the government is building the Regional Road and the Lekki-Epe Expressway. In Ikorodu, work is progressing on Agric-Isawo Road; Bola Tinubu-Igbogbo-Imota Road; Ijede Road; Oba Sekumade Road in Ipakodo; and Itamaga to Ewu Elepe Town.
No fewer than 3,500 housing units have been delivered with thousands more to be completed before the end of the second quarter.”
In the area of ongoing projects, they include “15 jetties that are in various stages of completion at the Ijede Waterfront and Offin in Ikorodu; Marina Waterfront, VIP Chalet, Apaa and Isalu Ajido in Badagry; Oke-Ira Nla and Takwa Bay, Eti-Osa; Liverpool Road in Apapa; Ebute-Ero on Lagos Island; Mile 2; Ijegun-Egba and Ilashe in Ojo; Ito-Omu in Epe, as well as Ilado in Amuwo Odofin.”
Also,” the ground-breaking of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line Project to complement the 29km Blue Line Project, which has reached 93% completion stage. Phase One of the project will be delivered in the last quarter of the year 2022 to convey passengers from Okokomaiko to Marina.”
The statement further said, “over 38,000 residents are beneficiaries of programmes that provide empowerment for youths and succour to other residents through agriculture; healthcare and grants for women in rural areas.
“There are many who have graduated from the state’s 19 skills acquisition projects. These figures exclude the residents who enjoyed free treatment in public hospitals during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Smart City Project is on. About 3000 kilometers of fiber-optic cables are being laid in the first phase of the project, which will be 6,000 kilometres when completed. It will provide faster and more reliable internet that will improve education, security, and commerce to boost the attainment of a 21st Century Economy.
“Schools, hospitals, security agencies, and members of the public can hook up to the internet connectivity to advance teaching and learning; consultation and treatment of patients as well as surveillance of crime and traffic violations across the State. Besides, thousands of cameras will be installed to check crime.
“The recent acquisition of body cameras for security and traffic monitoring is an innovative approach to monitoring, identifying, and checkmating criminals.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu will round off the second year anniversary events by engaging the media, captains of industry, and other stakeholders at an interactive session on May 28 when he will deliver a state of the state address.”
