12th January, 2016
Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs in Lagos State will spend about N17.5 billion on the 114 inner roads to be constructed in their domains across the state within the state in the next six months.
The contractors for the projects have already been mobilised to sites with 30% upfront payment.
At a press conference held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, on Tuesday, the Chairman, Conference of LGs/LCDAs (Conference 57), Kolade Alabi said the construction has commenced in all the selected sites.
“You will recall that during the electioneering campaign of His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in 2015, he promised to improve on the access and inner roads in the LGAs/LCDAs, hence, his decision to pay more attention to Local Governments’ efforts at providing world class roads equipped with street light, sidewalks and covered drains,” he said.
Alabi said the construction would go on simultaneously in all the 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs and that the roads would adhere to the acceptable standards as provided by the Lagos State Government.
He added that in executing the projects, a unique model of “bottom up” infrastructural development style and inclusive governance which involved the CDAs and other stakeholders in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the project, was already in place.
The chairman commended Ambode for the initiative, saying the governor is leaving nothing to chance as he marches on to deliver on his promises to Lagosians during the electioneering period.
“This is no doubt unprecedented not only in the history of Lagos State but in the entire nation. I salute His Excellency’s vision, sense of commitment and dedication to grassroots development. He is indeed taking Lagos to the next level,” he said.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde in his address said the project was conceived and initiated seven months ago and that it is officially flagging off today (Tuesday), noting that such projects would be a continuous exercise in the state.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami said the commencement of the project is a clear indication that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is a man of his words.
He appealed to Lagosians to continue to support thr Governor.