By Moshood Adebayo
EDUCATION
In order to strengthen and enhance the quality of the Universal Basic Education Programme, no fewer than 1,300 teachers were recruited on the order of Governor Ambode into all public primary schools across the state
Annual bursary awards for students in higher institution of learning across the country were not only approved, but promptly paid. Also, about 886 students studying in various tertiary institutions are to benefit from local scholarship which has already being approved by the Ambode-led administration.
Newly constructed ultra modern blocks of classrooms across the state have also been completed and commissioned in Badagry, Apapa, and Surulere.
In the last quarter of last year, the Ambode-led government also paid over N561 million for 46, 000 candidates that have sat and would also be sitting for the West African Examination Council examination this year. Still on education, Ambode set aside some N1bn to upgrade school.
In addition to infrastructure across the state, the protracted crisis at the Lagos State University has also been resolved leading to the signing of the revised University Law to make for harmonious campus life. The administration has equally instituted a programme that will enable fresh graduates become job creators rather than job seekers.
Ambode expressed delight at the recent ranking of the institution as the best State University in Nigeria and the 11th overall best public university in the country.
HEALTH
Within one year, Ambode has commissioned over 20 Mobile Intensive Care Units and 26 Transport Ambulances which are stationed at the 26 General hospitals in the state. Also, to ensure a 24-hour service to Lagosians, Ambode has upgraded many General Hospitals as well as constructed and delivered many primary health centres in Akiwowo, Alimosho, Ifako-Ijaye, Somolu, Eti- Osa, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Areas of the state.
DNA FORENSIC LABORATORY
This is another flagship project that the governor has embarked upon in the last one year is the first ever high-powered DNA Forensic Laboratory in Nigeria which takes off within the next six months.
The Lagos State DNA Forensics Centre (LSDFC),is in furtherance of the state government’s commitment to the criminal justice sector reforms as well as enhance the fight against crime.
SOCIAL WELFARE AND RULE OF LAW
The issues of gender violence against children and all forms of inhuman treatment against the less privileged has been a very critical issue for Governor Ambode.
In this area, Ambode’s administration has handled a total of 4, 035 cases in the last one year and vowed to come harder on perpetrators of domestic violence crimes in the state.
The cases range from rape, child abuse, sexual assault, sexual abuse, defilement, divorce, matrimonial issues to child’s custody and maintenance, among others.
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) in the last one year, handled 89 domestic violence cases, 62 defilement cases, 18 rape cases, 6 attempted rape, 10 child neglect and 7 child abuse cases, while 92 cases are presently being heard in court.
Retirees from the State Civil Service are not left out in the good things that are happening in Lagos, as they are smiling to their banks as Ambode approved N11billion to offset arrears owed since 2010.
JOB CREATION
In his bid to create job opportunities in the state, Ambode has constituted state Board for Employment Trust Fund to the tune of N6.25 billion, as well as signed the N25 billion Employment Trust Fund, (ETF)
into law in order to tackle unemployment problems as well as create job opportunities for Lagosians.
Ambode had envisioned over 2000 business start-ups and over 8,500 jobs for youths by the year 2020. ETF will manage fund to be given out as loan with moderate interest rate of three percent per annum to Lagosians with innovative business ideas.
MINERAL RESOURCES
Following the discovery of crude oil in the state by an indigenous company, Ambode has established Ibile Oil and Gas to manage oil related issues. Like other oil producing states, he also enthused that Lagos will also demand payment of 13 per cent derivation revenues from the Federal Government.
HOUSING
To make housing more accessible and affordable in the state, the Ambode-led administration has introduced a “Rent-to-Own” policy.
Under the arrangement, individuals, low and medium income earners, both in the formal and informal sectors would be required to pay 5 percent of the value of the housing unit.
SECURITY
Since assumption of office, Ambode has never left anyone in doubt that security issues would receive a great attention from him. This he demonstrated when few months after inauguration, he acquired and donated equipment worth N4.765 billion to fight security in the state.
The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in the state was equipped with 3 Helicopters, 2 Gun Boats, 15 Armoured Personnel Carriers, Revolving Lights, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser, 100 4-door salon cars, 55 Ford Ranger Pick-Ups, 100 Power Bikes 15 BMW Power Bikes and several other equipment.
SAFETY/ ROAD TRANSPORTATION/WATER WAYS
It is not only in the area of security alone that Ambode has recorded huge success. He is also concerned with the safety of lives and property of Lagosians. In order to ensure prompt response to fire outbreak in the state, he has approved renovation of 12 fire service station in the state.
For efficient traffic control and holistic approach to transportation problems in the state, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been restructured with introduction of mobile courts to deal promptly with road-related offences.
Also, in the past one year, Ambode has approved the employment of 1, 200 new personnel while the Vehicle Inspection Service has also been upgraded with the construction of a 3-floor headquarters in Ojodu area of the state.
Reconstruction of the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and other major motor parks in the state are ongoing ahead of the 50 years of the state next year.
To ease the problem of road transportation, the Blue Rail Project is also being re-lunched, while the state government has also injected 434 new BRT vehicles for the people in the Ikorodu area of the state.