Ambode pushes to actualise 24-hour economy

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State is optimistic that the vision of a 24-hour economy in the state, aims at creating wealth, generating employment and further growing the GDP, will be realised with the ongoing light-up Lagos project.

The light-up Lagos initiative has so far seen highways, major roads and bridges within the metropolis lit up, with the added advantage of safer driving in the night. Aside aiding driving and enhancing the security of lives and property, the project, government says, is also intended to promote night life by ensure that economic/commercial activities and businesses do not wind down once it becomes dark.

Driving the project, the state government believes that Lagos as a megacity should compete with other megacities around the world in terms of infrastructure that promotes night economy and gives people the opportunity to make money.

“It is important to note that the light-up Lagos project goes beyond lighting up roads. It is an integral part of our programmes geared towards putting Lagos on the same pedestal and status as similar megalopolis in the world. It is also part of the security strategy to make Lagos competitive, safe and secure,” Ambode said at the switch-on of more streets within the metropolis.

The new stretch of road networks linked in the street-lighting project is Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, from Ile Zik to former tollgate, Sango Ota and Murtala Mohammed International Airport road to Oshodi.

According to the governor, a significant success had been recorded since the commencement of the project as it has increased commercial activities in the areas where the project had been installed, while driving on major highways and streets in Ikeja, Alausa Central Business District (CBD), Third Mainland Bridge, Iyana Oworo/Berger axis, among others, has become more pleasurable with the improved illumination.

“As a state, we have keyed into the change mantra of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government and have taken the project to federal roads. We have gotten the support of Federal Government agencies to take over federal roads, put new installations and retrofit existing installations that are not working,” Ambode said.

He assured that the gateway town of Seme in Badagry and other border towns will have their streets lit by September.  He urged communities, organisations and individuals to key into the initiative through the ‘adopt a street light’ programme, where government will reciprocate with concessions in the payment of land use charge as well as presentation of letters of commendation.

Olawale Oluwo, commissioner energy and mineral resources, said most of the installations were connected to the existing Independent Power Plants (IPPs) in the state; a development, which he said had saved the state government significantly in costs of additional generating sets and fuelling them.