…. Reiterates Commitment to Timely Delivery of Projects
Lagos State Government has emphasised that the well-being of citizens remains paramount in implementing the THEMES Plus Agenda of the present administration.
The Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso stated this while speaking on the MiTV Summit interview programme, adding that the State Government didn’t wait for the Federal Government to announce palliatives and other measures to cushion the effects of the removal of the fuel subsidy before Governor Sanwo-Olu swung into action.
“What Mr. Governor first did was to announce a programme called ‘Food Package’ and before that, he slashed transport fares by 50 % on BRT buses, LagFerry Boats and on the Blue Rail Line with immediate effect”, he said.
Omotoso further said that Mr. Governor also introduced medical palliatives for all expectant Mothers in General Hospitals across the State by removing fees for normal deliveries or c-sections, which is still in effect to date. However, he noted the slash in transportation fares has recently been reduced from 50% to 25% due to the high price of fuel.
Shedding more light on the Food Package programme for the less privileged, Omotoso explained that the State Government was able to ensure that the palliative reached the needy by making use of the data collected by the Lagos State Office of Disabilities Affairs, Community Development Associations as well as Christian and Muslim Community Associations. The present administration aims to ensure the food package distribution programme has been extended to about 500, 000 households since the programme commenced some weeks ago.
He said, “Additionally, the State Government is constructing a Food and Logistics Hub in Ketu and when completed, it is going to be the biggest food and logistics hub in Africa, which will be able to feed Five Million Lagosians in three months”.
Speaking on the recent graduation ceremony for students at the Lagos State Vocational Centres, Omotoso said when the figure of those who just graduated is added to that of previous years, it would amount to 21000 people who have learned at least a skill from the State Vocational Centres free of charge. In addition, all graduating students got equipment for start-ups while the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund is also supporting them with grants.
On the ongoing infrastructure projects across the State, the Commissioner stated that the Yaba and Oyingbo overpass Bridges have been commissioned while some others would also soon be commissioned among the numerous ongoing projects embarked upon by the present administration across the State. “As I speak, some of the Educational projects already delivered include the ones in Eti-Osa, Agege, Betland Schools and the Elemoro 18 Classroom school specially built for people living with disabilities with standard sick days among others.
Excitedly, Omotoso also spoke about the Red Line Rail which started on the 15th of October 2021 under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Blue Line Rail which was started by his predecessors but completed in record time by Mr. Governor. According to him, the Ikeja Overpass will be commissioned soon, after which the Red Line Rail will also be commissioned by the end of this year.
He also touched on the ground-breaking ceremony of the Film City – a clear message to the world that the Lagos State Government is ready to support Nollywood. He said, “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has done well by supporting the creative industry and opening it up to thousands of people who are interested in film editing, acting, script writing and all areas of film in the sector. The Film City would stand as replacement of the one at Oregun which was destroyed during the #EndSARS protest”.
Regarding, the Fourth Mainland Bridge, the Commissioner noted that it is one of the iconic projects that the Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat administration plans to execute and it is going on according to plan because a contractor has been chosen to build the 37 kilometres bridge starting from Abraham Adesanya to Ikorodu and bursting out at Lagos-Ibadan Expressway around The Redeemed Christian Church of God.
In the same vein, Omotoso said the ongoing seven-storey Massey Children’s Hospital being built at Adeniji-Adele is going to be the largest hospital in West Africa and health workers will be trained to be skillful personnel as the Government intends to make available all necessary and important equipment.
The Commissioner said Mr. Governor has already met with the State Security Council to ensure effective collaboration among security agencies so that residents will be provided with adequate security as the yuletide approaches.
Omotoso, therefore, encouraged indigents to continually support the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu because he means well for them, saying “Mr. Governor has shown capacity and ability to take Lagos to greater heights that we are all aiming for because Lagos city is home to the black man, home of commerce and home of financial ability, so people should continue to pay their taxes regularly for the betterment of the state”, he averred.
