Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, says his predecessor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who is now the Minister of Works, Housing and Power, is the key to the rehabilitation of dilapidated infrastructure in the state.
He said the unprecedented synergy between the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government would accelerate and actualise his administration’s plans for infrastructural development in the state.
“We are privileged to have my predecessor in office at the centre in charge of Works, Power and Housing. This effectively means we have a synergy between Lagos and the Federal Government to accelerate and actualise our current plans for infrastructural development,” Ambode said.
He added that apart from building infrastructure to improve the quality of life, his administration would also focus on security and traffic.
He said, “Dealing with the terrible traffic problems that afflict so many Lagosians on a daily basis is my area of focus in relation to infrastructure. Our problems with traffic have to be addressed. It is harmful to the quality of life of many people in our city.
“Lagos will continue to grow and the more we succeed, the larger the population will grow thereby generating more traffic. We are looking at the potential of rail and water transport systems; and we will repair the roads and work with the private sector to deliver the projects.
“We are putting in place the finances we need to enable us to make our plans a reality.”
He also informed the gathering that there would be a traffic summit in Lagos next week to address the issues by combining the perspectives of international best practices and local knowledge and experience.
Speaking at another function, Ambode said he had nothing else to give to humanity than to uphold the tenets of good governance.
He said this while speaking as guest lecturer at the annual lecture and award ceremony of The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association in Nigeria.
The governor, who spoke on the theme, ‘Deepening the Democratic Culture in Nigeria’, said as part of efforts to deepen democracy and make Lagos work for all, he had set up the office of Civic Engagement and Ministry of Wealth Creation.
While describing Lagos as the fastest growing city in the world, Ambode said in the midst of several challenges, Lagos State since 1999 had managed to sustain the momentum of growth.
Earlier, the President of the Hubert H. Humphrey Alumni Association in Nigeria, Mr. Jude Ememe, described Ambode’s commitment to public service as unparalleled and unprecedented, and expressed confidence in his leadership.
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