Luqmon Balogun, Lagos
Various stakeholders in Lagos State have been extolling the sterling performance exhibited by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the last three years running.
This comes as he recently received a nod of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, the highest decision-making organ of the ruling All Progressives Congress for a second term in office.
They all attributed this feat to numerous engagements with the public in the areas of infrastructure renewal, his quest for inclusive government, passion for continuity, among others.
Good testimony
Dr. Salmon Sulaimon is a pharmacist, he said that the second term endorsement served to Governor Sanwo-Olu is a testament to his doggedness and dexterity in service to the people of Lagos.
Sulaimon mentioned that the general insinuation was that he would have be denied to run again, the same way his predecessor was shut out of the poll.
“Lagos houses copious talented, professional and futuristic individuals who are all prospective Governors and that was the beginning of the fear that many technocrats and political juggernauts are already on queue waiting for the number one seat in Lagos, but I am of the opinion that his efforts and developmental strides gave him such opportunity to stage a come back”.
And at the same time his adaptability and acceptability into the political stream of Lagos and Nigeria at large has been very interesting as this has broadened the scope for his acceptance among the highly cerebral political elites.” he said
Experience
Adams Joba, an engineer who has been working at a construction company in Lagos for the past nineteen years, he believes Governor Sanwo-Olu’s wealth of experience and exposure, coupled with his vision and commitment has enabled his return.
According to him “He is a former Commissioner who has been in the game of politics for many years now, I think he understand the blueprint of Lagos more than any other at the moment, especially when you are talking about infrastructure development, such as housing, roads among others.”
Covid-19 leadership
An Art enthusiast, Mrs. Mabel Adamson eulogised his impeccable performance and leadership he showed during COVID-19 crisis which was followed by the EndSARS unrest, stressing that his ability to seamlessly work under pressure and achieve results was displayed at that time.
She appreciated the support received by the entertainment, Art and hospitality circles to cushion the effects of the dreaded scourge COVID-19 while still hopeful for better days ahead.
Economic feats
Chief Executive Officer, Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba, said Sanwo-Olu had been able to manage some economic challenges that affect governments across the globe.
“It is surprising to note that in spite of the nation’s economy slipping into recession, the Sanwo-Olu administration has had to manage some economic turbulence and has been able to keep the tempo of interventions in the capital space, human capital space and the sectoral space, manifesting in projects, such as construction of bridges, roads, hospitals, etc, despite the shortfall in revenue and receipts from the Federation Account”. He said.
Speaking on revenue generation strategies and what the State can do to meet up its revenue needs, Dr. Teriba said the States should mind revenue performance as it relates to declining tax and learn to be independent of oil and tax revenue.
There is a need to expect less from taxes as an economic downturn automatically leads to decrease in the amount of tax paid, he said.
“Lagos can explore non-tax revenue accrued from the stimulation of asset value of the city-centre, such as infrastructure development through rail, which is a gold mine in advanced nations. Seek more non-tax revenue,” Teriba said.
On taking of loans, the economic expert asserted that no State or country could abstain from borrowing.
“The issue is not in the debt but how we borrow. Before, it used to be through promissory notes, but now it is through assets, which should be positioned to yield revenue and generate the capital raised to provide them. It is about securitised debt; debt backed by asset”. Teriba said
So far.
Lagos State government under the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu has completed more than 1,097 school projects covering 970 schools across the state, just as it has also ensured the upgrade and rehabilitation of 322 dilapidated public schools and the furnishing of Primary Schools with 87,000 dual composite unit of chairs and desks in two years.
In transportation sector Rehabilitation of major arterial roads: These are roads that carry huge vehicular traffic, connecting several communities. He made significant progress on these roads, which include Lekki-Epe Express Road from Eleko Junction to Epe T-junction, the Lagos Badagry Expressway, and Ikorodu Road from Mile 12 to Ojota to the Independence Tunnel, the rail line project is another fantastic effort by his government, among others.
In the area of Urban regeneration programmes, he has revamped the road infrastructure within communities and neighbourhoods across Lagos State. He has commenced the first phase with select roads in Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Ikeja and Kosofe, like Thompson Road, Milverton Road, Lateef Jakande Road (all in Ikoyi), Adeola Hopewell, Idowu Taylor, Adeyemo Alakija, Afribank Street (in Victoria Island), and Sobo Arobiodu, Oba Dosunmu, Oduduwa Way and Oduduwa Crescent in Ikeja. Others include Demurin, Agidi and Church Street in Kosofe, MBA Cardoso Road in Ajeromi Ifelodun and St. Finbarr’s Road in Somolu and Kosofe LGAs, among many others.
In his administration’s quest to provide decent yet affordable accommodation to the people of Lagos State, his administration is working in close partnership with the private sector and has delivered a total of 3,526 housing units across the State, including 144 units at Agbowa, 72 units at Gbagada, 144 units at Omole/Magodo, 1,188 units at Sangotedo, 270 units at Egan-Igando, 36 units at LASU Ojo Campus, 480 units at Ibeshe, 420 units at Ajara, 112 units at Itamarun and 660 units at Odo-Onosa.
In the healthcare sector, his approach to improving accessibility and quality is built around the rehabilitation and expansion of infrastructure, and affordability is being driven by our Lagos State Health Management Agency’s (LASHMA) “Ilera Eko” program, which is our healthcare insurance scheme.
In the area of health care infrastructure, the Sanwo-Olu’s administration has completed or significantly progressed in the construction and rehabilitation of several hospitals. Notable ones include the New General Hospital, Ojo, the rehabilitation of the General Hospitals in Ebute Metta, Isolo, Harvey Road and Lagos Island, and the facility upgrade of the Mainland Hospital, which has been the hub for managing COVID-19 cases.
Olusola Akintonde
