• State generates N503.7bn in 2017
By Moshood Adebayo
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday reshuffled his cabinet, dropping three commissioners and appointing five new ones.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello, the three affected cabinet members are Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, Mr. Femi Odubiyi and Mr. Anifowoshe Abiola.
The newly-appointed cabinet members include Mr. Hakeem Fahm (Ministry of Science and Technology); Mr. Ladi Lawanson (Ministry of Transportation); Mr. Segun Banjo (Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget); Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye (Ministry of Commerce and Industry) and Mr. Hakeem Sulaiman (Communities and Communications).
The statement added that major redeployments were also effected.
Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye from Commerce and Industry was redeployed to Physical Planning and Urban Development; Mr. Steve Ayorinde from Ministry of Information and Strategy to Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan from Communities and Communication to Ministry of Information and Strategy; Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi Etti, from Ministry of Wealth Creation to Ministry of the Environment; Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, from Ministry of Youth and Social Development to Ministry of Wealth Creation; Mr. Agboola Dabiri, from Central Business District to Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
Others include Dr. Samuel Adejare, from Ministry of the Environment to Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development; Mr. Ade Akinsanya, from Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development to Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
In the same vein, the statement also added that Mr. Benjamin Olabinjo has been moved from Special Adviser, Commerce and Industry to become Special Adviser, Civic Engagement, while Mr. Kehinde Joseph was moved from Special Adviser, Civic Engagement to become Special Adviser, Housing.
Mr. Deji Tinubu, Special Adviser on Sports has been redeployed as Special Adviser to the governor on Commerce and Industry and Mr. Anofiu Elegushi moves from Special Adviser on Transport to become Special Adviser, Central Business District.
The new commissioners are expected to be cleared by the House of Assembly while the other redeployments and postings take immediate effect.
According to Bello, the new appointments and redeployments are intended to create a new vigour and vitality for service delivery which has been the hallmark of the Governor Ambode’s administration.
Meanwhile, the governor disclosed that N503.7 billion revenue was generated in 2017 by his administration, just as he put its performance at 82 percent.
He said he is committed to stimulating the economy, as well as accelerating growth and creating opportunities for Lagos residents in the new year.
Ambode, who spoke yesterday during the First Quarter 2018 Town Hall meeting held in Ikeja, added that he would re-double his efforts to boost the economy to increase revenue generation.
His words: “Despite the harsh economy, our state budget performed 82 percent. Total revenue generated was N503.7 billion, representing a performance of 78 percent.
“Total recurrent expenditure was N281.33 billion, a performance of 92 percent, while total capital expenditure was N387.60 billion or 76 percent performance.”