Lagosians may soon forget how Governor Akinwumi Ambode battled to have a second term in office to complete his many projects in Lagos, but what they may not forget in a hurry are his undeniable achievements in the last four years. Writes TEMITOPE MUSOWO
His giant strides cannot be denied across the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in Lagos considering the massive road rehabilitation, reconstruction of inner roads, job creation through the 25 billion naira Employment Trust Fund and other infrastructural developments. As such, anyone who tries to down-play his achievements in Lagos for the sake of politics would be seen as being mischievous by well-meaning Lagosians.
He started in his first year in office by fortifying security architecture in Lagos with 6.6 billion security equipment including helicopters, patrol vehicles and thousands of motor-cycles for other security agencies in the state.
No sooner he got to office than he also restructured the state civil service for effective service delivery and reintroduced lump sum leave bonuses for civil servants. He equally paid 11 billion backlog arrears for retirees, disbursement of 500million Disability Trust Fund, 1,300 teachers recruited to improve primary education in the state, 1billion injected into upgrading of schools infrastructure and light up project that has changed the face of Lagos city at night. All these and many more would continue to make Ambode’s four-year tenure in Lagos resonate through ages.
Buhari’s visit and projects commissioned
As the governor’s tenure comes to an end in a matter of weeks, he has not stopped commissioning projects. President Muhammadu Buhari last week unveiled the newly- reconstructed Institute of Maternal And Child Health popularly known as Ayinke House located within the premises of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, describing it as a critical and timely intervention by the state government in the health sector.
Ayinke House, which is Nigeria’s biggest maternity hospital, was upgraded from an 80-bed facility to a 170-bed healthcare centre with state-of-the-art medical equipment, as well as information technology services.
Speaking at the event, Mr Ambode described the development as historic, expressing optimism that the facility would provide world class childbirth and maternal care services to Lagosians and Nigerians at large.
“Today, seven years after the closure of the facility, the new edifice is now a 170-bed facility with five surgical theatres. It has a 16-bed emergency care units with three organ support facilities, 30 bed special baby care unit, five neo-natal intensive care units, a fully equipped laboratory with support services, laboratories and a blood bank.
“Beyond the significance for the health sector, this institute is a major contribution to our education sector also as it becomes a veritable platform for our medical students in the state university to enhance their exposure and experience with the top-class medical equipment provided.” Governor Ambode revealed that Ayinke House has been completely digitalised with state-of-the-art medical equipment as well as information technology services supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology.
“Just last year, we launched the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme to allow residents access top quality medical care with a little contribution and support from the state government.
“These and other efforts are directed at improving the lives of our people, especially women and children and by extension the productivity of our nation,” he said.
Another 500-seater theatre commissioned at Oregun
Similarly, the president also commissioned the 500-seater Lagos Theatre in Oregun, Ikeja. The ultra-modern theatre is one of the four simultaneously constructed by the Ambode administration to increase arts spaces and create standard platforms for talented citizens of the State to showcase their skills.
The governor said the three other theatres with the same specifications are also ready for commissioning in Igando, Badagry and Epe.
On the same day, President Buhari commissioned the remodelled Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, the world class Oshodi Transport Interchange and the 820 high and medium capacity buses for public transportation where he affirmed that the governor performed satisfactorily.
Buhari, who commissioned the three projects at a well-attended ceremony, said he was delighted to unveil the projects as they reflect the drive and success of government in pursuing policies and programmes that will positively impact on its citizens.
According to the president, “Earlier this morning, I commissioned the Ayinke House of the Institute of Maternal and Child Health and also the Lagos Theatre in Oregun.
“Your governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has performed satisfactorily and we should all commend him for his contribution to the growth and development of Lagos State.
“In our promise to deliver people-oriented projects and programmes, a closer look at all the projects indicate that nearly all the different pillars of our development plan as a state have been affected positively through these projects. The Institute Of Maternal and Child Health at LASUTH contributes to our health and education sectors simultaneously.
“All these projects together form the thrust of our vision as a government and the end result is to make life better for all our people, irrespective of gender, tribe or political leanings,” he said.
Lagosians’ perspectives
According to Mr Okunade Adekunle, a journalist, Ambode is a performer whose record of achievements in Lagos cannot be erased by anyone.
‘’Governor Ambode really tried in Lagos, look at the number of projects he started at the same time. If he was allowed to continue for another four years, I can bet he would surpass the achievements of his two immediate predecessors and who can tell that might even be their reason for denying him the second term ticket, you know the way politicians think.
A business man, Uzoechina Uzodinma said Ambode has written his name in gold and posterity will judge him right, no matter what anybody says.
‘’I will not deceive you, that man meant well for Lagos, but it’s quite unfortunate the kind of politics we play around here. I am not saying he didn’t have his fault too but looking at his achievements, you would know he is ready to work.
Look at the projects commissioned. Do you know the impacts those projects would have on Lagosians, the city of Lagos and even the entire county? Look at the airport road, anyone coming to Nigeria for the first time would have his first impression about the country seeing the roads unlike the way it was before.
A public servant, Mrs Yetunde Olukoya, believed Ambode has raised the bar and established a bench mark that has put a burden of performance on his successor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to her, Lagosians would measure Sanwo-Olu’s performance when it is time using Ambode’s 4- year achievement as a parameter.
‘’My husband is a beneficiary of Ambode’s good governance, he received 3.5 million loan with 5% interest from the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LETF), I didn’t believe when he came home with the offer letter until the money was credited to his account. I can tell you categorically that his business has moved to a new level and our household income has improved
