Support security agencies to enhance security in Lagos – Ambode

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has urged traditional rulers and residents to support security agencies, including the state’s Neighborhood Safety Corps and Volunteers to enhance security in the state.

Ambode made the call at the 4th Quarterly Town Hall meeting held at the Kosofe Local Government premises on Tuesday in Lagos.

According to him, during the last four months of the year, crime rate naturally goes up.

Ambode said: “In the last two years, we have been able to address security problems during this period.

“But, I’m making a special appeal to all our traditional rulers and residents that there is need for us to cooperate with the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps and Volunteers.

“We should all be more vigilant and cooperate with our security agencies to maintain law and other during this period.

“We have plans to engage our youths during this ‘Ember’ period so that peace will continue to reign in the state.

“Fighting crimes requires collective efforts. I urge you all to support the measures put in place by the government to reduce crimes in this city so that more investment can come in.”

He said that a Joint Tactic Squad, comprising officers of all the security agencies, had been established to increase security within and around schools, riversides and vulnerable areas of the state.

“There will be increased police presence in areas like Ikorodu during this ember period,” the governor said.

Ambode said that the previous Town Hall meetings had yielded positive results and provided insightful ideas and recommendations on how to serve the people better.

“Since the last quarter, we have progressed significantly with the tasks of building the Lagos of our dream.

“We have commenced the reconstruction of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road into a 10-lane highway of world class standard to be completed within the next 15months, precisely November 2018.

“What we are doing with the Oshodi area is the construction of a shopping mall and bus terminal to make the area more attractive and conducive for commercial activities.

“In addition, a comprehensive plan has been put in place to fix all roads that have been eroded by heavy rains witnessed across the country in the last few months.

“It entails the repairs of 43 major link roads across the five divisions of the state as well as a comprehensive flood-control programme that will ensure a flood-free state by the end of 2017.

“The next batch of the 181 road construction will commence in November so they can be delivered in the next six months,’’ the governor said.

According to him, I also solicit your understanding for the inconvenience currently being experienced due to the ongoing road projects across the state.

“This temporary discomfort will soon give way to lasting happiness as all projects will be completed on schedule,” he said.

Ambode urged the local government chairmen to help translate the administration`s vision into reality by embarking on projects that would cater for the welfare of the people, especially the elderly.

He renewed the call on every taxable adult to pay their taxes promptly to drive infrastructure development in the state.

“Our determination to put Lagos State economy on an enviable pedestal has been further strengthened by your support.

“The task of building a virile state is the responsibility of everyone and we renew the call on every taxable adult to pay their taxes promptly,” the governor said.

Highlighting some of the achievements recorded in the last four months, he said that 293 cases of domestic violence and 449 criminal cases, among others, were resolved.

In education, Ambode said that the renovation of blocks of classrooms in 112 public schools as well as the supply of 26, 356furniture were done to improve teaching and learning.

In the health sector, he said that the state government recruited 874 health workers, completed the renovation of 17 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and closed 16 private and public health facilities for various offences.

Besides, the governor said that 15 shops were sealed for the illegal sale of drugs and 1, 158 units of blood were collected from voluntary donors.

On disaster management, he said that 553 fire fighters were recruited, adding that the officers were currently undergoing training.

He said that the state government had commenced the Embedded Power project targeted at procuring and generating 3, 000 megawatts that would result in a 24-hour uninterrupted power supply in the state.