National Daily

Re-engineering the transformation of Lagos

Governor Babatunde Fashola, during the Public Service Week, acknowledged the complementary role of public servants in enforcing political decisions for the development of Lagos State. During the tour of Lagos East Senatorial District, the governor also reminded non state actors of their crucial role which can not be ignored in the development of the state, reports SUNDAY ODIBASHI

IN his quest for sustainable development in Lagos State, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has continued to encourage all stakeholders in the state to participate actively in the socio-economic transformation process.

Apparently, public servants in Lagos State, during the Public Service Week, received the commendation of the governor for serving as the engine room which has ensured the transformation of the State to a beautiful bride for investors from all over the world.

At the grand finale of the Public Service Week, Miss Ademilua Funmilayo of the Lagos State Aids Control Agency (LASCA) emerged the winner of the star prize of a two bedroom flat at Oke Eletu in Ikorodu.

A statement from the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, highlighted that Fashola, at the event which took place at the State Auditorium, presented the keys of the flat worth N3 million to Miss Ademilua.

Fashola emphasized that stakeholders in the private sector have been making several offers for partnership with Lagos State Government, asserting that people never knew civil servants could be very productive as the Lagos experience is proving.
The governor guaranteed that the welfare and progress of the civil servants and their dependants remain uppermost to the present administration at all times.

He charged everyone to be prepared to work in an unprecedented manner that would give no excuses to the people of Lagos, but ensure that all actions that could make Lagos a reference point in terms of good governance are taken.

Fashola noted that “as the public servants and government promise a Brighter Rewarding Future (BRF), the future will not happen unless the people create it and that the only way to create it is by rededicating oneself to the cause of the generality of the people”.

He added that “the public servants and everyone should consider the fact that the expectation of the people is very high and that for every good job done, the administration is asking for more work as the reward for hardwork is more work”.

Fashola added that the grand finale of the public service week provided Good Avenue for him and the other members of the executive council to express their heartfelt gratitude to all public servants for accepting to serve the administration dutifully.
The governor also picked the winning ticket with number 035493 belonging to Aderibigbe A.O of Ministry of Transportation as a winner of the Kia Rio saloon car second prize and another ticket number 026366 belonging to Mrs. Oyedokun J.T of Education Ministry as third prize winner of a 5Kva generating set, as part of the rewards to civil servants in the state.
Fashola also presented prizes to the best officer of the Year 2008 in the senior category, Mr. Sorungbe Adeyinka from the Ministry of Science and Technology, while a clerical officer in the Ministry of Housing, Mr Ojo Idowu, emerged winner in the junior category.

The Head of Service, Alhaji Yakub Balogun assured that the public service will continue to implement all policies and programmes initiated by the government dutifully and in accordance with best practices.
Alhaji Balogun affirmed the public service support and commitment towards transparency in governance, upholding integrity in the implementation of government policies and programmes.

In another development, Fashola sought the buy-in and total commitment of the people of Lagos to the policies and programmes of his administration aimed at fast tracking the achievement of a State that all would be proud of.

The governor, responding to a question on what gift he expects from Lagosians for performing well in his first one year in office, after touring projects being embarked upon by the administration in the Lagos East Senatorial District, added that one of the ways to demonstrate the buy-in is by making funds available for some of the projects through the voluntary payment of tax. Lagosians were reminded of their obligations to the state in expectation of service delivering.

He said the demonstration of that commitment represents the other part of the social contract entered into when the administration was popularly elected on the promise of delivering certain programmes and it expects the people to give the support and wherewithal to do so by paying taxes promptly and voluntarily.

Fashola, inspecting the drainage network for Gbagada /Mende channel expressed displeasure at the reordering of the route of the channel because of the distortion of the original plan by illegal structures.

Residents were expected to cultivate the habit of being orderly in the development of structures and desist from building on canals and right of ways. Fashola noted that the government has had to incur extra costs in changing the drain alignment for Gbagada so that houses would not be demolished.

“We know there is need for more houses but we should not build on canals, right of ways, drainage channels. We know that when people build more houses, they can rent and sell some of them, it however becomes very difficult to either demolish such structures or create new alignment to prevent flooding”, he stated.

Fashola, inspecting the structures for the kidney and cardiac centre at the Gbagada General Hospital, lamented that the entire premises has been flooded due to the activities of people who developed structures without approval along the canal.
He asserted that because of the unwholesome act, the services which the state intends to provide at the specialist hospital is being slowed down and therefore denying the citizens access to these services.

He regretted that the government intended to commission the cardiac centre this year as most of the specialists and personnel expected to work on it are ready but that can not be actualized anymore because of the change in drainage alignment.
Money that could have been used in just clearing the canal is being used to develop a totally new alignment which makes it more expensive, Fashola added.

While commissioning the Bariga Micro Water Works, Governor Fashola observed that since water represents life, the commissioning means a quest to sustain life by the state government.

He added that the water can service the people well if properly used and warned those using underground pipes and water machineries to avoid paying water rates or to sabotage the system to desist from the act or face the wrath of the law.
Fashola who also inspected the Drivers Institute at Ikorodu directed that the unutilized portion of land in the premises should be fenced and made use of to prevent encroachment.

At the Oriwu road site of the combination of two High and Magistrate courts, Governor Fashola restated his determination to ensure that only qualitative physical structures are turned in for the State.
The governor also inspected the Igbogbo Millennium Housing Scheme at Ewu Elepe and Millennium Housing Scheme at Oke Eletu.

The governor restated that his administration promised a cleaner, renewed and more people friendly city and is doing its best to provide services as have been demonstrated in such places like Gbagada, Bariga, Shomolu where people are acknowledging that they are not experiencing flood this year.

He reiterated that the people also have a role to play in taking Lagos to the Promised Land as there is still a lot of work to be done.

He stated: “we cannot solve all the problems in one day but wherever we have been, we will solve their problems. Our people also have a duty to take us there”.

Fashola acknowledged the painting of some old houses in Ikorodu and their beautiful looks and renewals.
He emphasized that “if everybody in Lagos would paint the exterior of their houses, the city would have been halfway towards the new and beautiful city of our dreams as once one has painted his house the obligation to keep it clean is there and whenever the state comes to clear the drains no one will litter that beautiful surrounding”.

“We expect the people to be more tolerant and keep the peace because it is only in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility that we could have achieved what we achieved. We thank them and Lagosians for the relative peace we have enjoyed, but it could be better”, he added.

The governor explained that “Planning takes a lot of time, such as meeting with various departments, integrating policies and ideas, for every single road you have to build, land is involved, physical planning is involved, works is involved, environment is involved, you keep wielding departments and teams together to speak as one team and you have to listen to opinion of every professional, some times we don't agree, we break up and reconvene again, but it has been very exciting”.
Fashola ascribed his decision to ask people not to place congratulatory adverts for him on his first year in office to the fact that one does not congratulate a winning team when the game is only half way through.