Lagos State Government says it has paid about N269, 697,458.75 to families of deceased staff of Local Governments and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) as insurance packages.
The Lagos state Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr Wale Ahmed gave this figure at this year’s ministerial press briefing to mark the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Ahmed disclosed that the money was paid to families of 160 deceased staff of Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas and State Universal Basic Education SUBEB.
The Commissioner also mentioned that a total of 154 marital documents were released to LGAs/LCDAs, with 21 special license approvals, two church license approvals and two renewal of approvals.
Road construction
Speaking on the road construction by the State Government, he stressed that through the Local Government Administration Department, the Ministry was able to initiate and coordinate the flag-off of the 377 state-wide project by the administration of Sanwo-Olu.
Ahmed stated that the project covered 257 roads, 86 buildings, 23 electrification, nine boreholes and two jetties to link communities across the state, thereby making communities accessible and as a result, improving socio-economic activities at the grassroots.
He also maintained that Ministry had embarked on a strategic tour of LGAs/LCDAs, as it has visited all the 57 LGAs/LCDAs in the State.
Market Council
Dr Wale Ahmed also said through the Local Government Administration Department, the Ministry had witnessed the inauguration of a 21-man Market Advisory Council by Sanwo-Olu. He said that the inauguration was borne out of the governor’s desire to make Lagos State a 21st Century Economy and to strategically position the markets in a way that profits the State and sets it ready for the economic growth it would witness in the years ahead.
Going forward and future projects
In the days ahead, Ahmed disclosed that the Ministry would be expanding her rural development efforts to other communities with the construction of Oba Oyediran Road in Badagry; Ramon Owoyemi Street in Egbeda; construction of Community Hall in Ikorodu, construction of dilapidated Community Hall in Toga- Badagry; construction, equipping and furnishing of Information Viewing and Community Centre in Otunla Community, Ibeju-Lekki.
He also revealed that the Ministry would be sensitising LGAs/LCDAs on Local Government elections; training elected political Office Holders of LGs/LCDAs; commencing periodic tour of LGAs/LCDAs and presenting insurance claims to beneficiaries of deceased employees of SUBEB and LGAs/LCDAs.
According to him “The Ministry would be investigating petitions received from the public concerning activities of LGAs/LCDAs, commencing technical tour of LGAs/LCDAs, conducting seminars for market stakeholders and upgrading markets across the State by providing toilet facilities and borehole and organising “Oloja Day” carnival.
“The Ministry will also be training about 1,140 vegetable farmers across the state on modern techniques in vegetable production. Twenty vegetable farmers will be selected from each of the 57 LGs/LCDAs.
“In the third quarter of year 2021, the State Government through the Ministry will be providing agricultural support to farmers across the 57 LGs/LCDAs in form of inputs across the value-chain to augment agricultural produce for farmers. This is to assist farmers stabilise and attain sustainability to cushion the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
He further stressed that the Ministry would engage in investigative visits, site inspections, sensitisation and that enlargement efforts would also be constantly undertaken to ensure that peace in the communities were maintained while subsisting issues are resolved.
Emmanuel Ukoh
