The health sector recorded an appreciable improvement with the inauguration of the 149- Bed Igando Mother and Child Centre (MCC) in the Alimosho area as well as the 110-Bed Eti-Osa Maternal and Child Centre (MCC. Both have modern equipment that would enhance the achievement of better maternal and child health indices in the state.
Similarly, the state’s infrastructure renewal plan received a major boost as key roads and highways were rehabilitated to ensure smooth commuting. Work also commenced on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway as well as the Pen-Cinema Bridge. Equally, 31 networks of roads were commissioned by the governor in Ojokoro Local Council Development Authority (LCDA).
The reconstruction and upgrading of strategic roads such as the 6.05 kilometer Phase 1 Road from Itamaga to Ewu Elepe town, the 7.8 kilometers Owutu-Agric-Ishawo Road Phase One and Bola Tinubu-Igbogbo-Imota Road in Ikorodu also began in earnest. Similarly, the Victoria Island, Lekki Traffic Circulation project on Oniru axis received a major attention. Preliminary plans for the construction of the 4th Mainland Bridge also got a key boost last year.
Intermodal multimodal transport system was also strengthened with the recommencement of work on the Lagos light rail project. Also, Uber Boat service, a partnership between the global ride-hailing company and Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, commenced operation.
The education sector was not left out in the ‘Greater Lagos’ movement. A committee was set up to evaluate the state of public schools in the state and come up with plans for their rehabilitation. At the first phase, 350 schools are already slated for total overhauling.
Similarly, some public school teachers were sent on capacity building training to enhance their skill, just as new teachers were also recruited in some core subjects. History was also made as a major deal that will see the Lagos State University, LASU, become a residential institution was sealed with some private developers.
In order to actualize its mission of ‘Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy’, the state government signed the $629 million financing facility aimed at completing the completion of the Lekki Deep Seaport project with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). According to the agreement, in 30 months, Nigeria’s first deep seaport will be delivered in Lekki. Upon completion, the project has enormous capacity not only to stimulate the Lagos economy, but equally to push it up in the index of largest economies in the world.
Also, foundation for the evolvement of critical reforms geared at giving the people greater access to justice was laid. The main goal is to reduce crime and all forms of security threat to the barest minimum.
In a democratic dispensation, the people determine the performance of a government partly via the quality of service render by the Public Servants. Hence, concerted efforts were made to reposition the state Public Service through training and retraining of staff.
Also, there was huge commitment to staff welfare, especially with the new minimum wage. This is quite instructive because the present administration’s vision of making Lagos a 21st Century Economy cannot be achieved without a well motivated workforce.
A noticeable improvement in the area of environmental regeneration was also recorded, as the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), became livelier and more focused in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities. Consequently, all forms of environmental nuisance are being frontally curtailed.
Similarly, the ‘Greater Lagos Extravaganza’ provided a major momentum for the entertainment industry across five locations in the state. The event, which began on Christmas Day ended on New Year day with much excitement and fanfare.
Perhaps, the crowning moment for Lagos in 2019 was the signing of the N1.168 Tr. 2020 appropriation bill into law by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The budget, christened ‘Awakening to a Greater Lagos’, is higher than the previous one by 34 percent and it is expected to be funded by a projected total revenue of N1.071 Tr. and a deficit amounting to N97.53 billion. That the audacious financial plan has a capital expenditure of N723.75 billion and a recurrent expenditure of N444.81 billion is a reflection of the determination of the Sanwo-Olu administration to truly achieve a ‘Greater Lagos’
2020 offers even better prospects for Lagosians, especially in terms of infrastructure development, job creation and economic development. Possibilities such as renewed attempt to develop intermodal transportation, the prospect of 4th Mainland Bridge as well as the Lekki Deep Sea Port are some of the schemes that are bound to significantly alter the State’s landscape in 2020.
Tayo Ogunbiyi
