Lagos—Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday said that his administration would consolidate on its infrastructural renewal drive with the construction of 181 local government roads in the current fiscal year, saying the process for the award of the contract has commenced. Ambode, who spoke at the first Quarterly Town Hall Meeting for this year, the sixth in the series, held at the Ajelogo Housing Scheme, Ajelogo Market Road, Akanimodo, Mile 12, said the construction of 181 roads is an improvement on the 114, two in each local government, which his administration promised to embark upon every year. Acknowledging that most of the requests made by residents during the interactive session at the meeting were on roads owing to the success of the 114 roads delivered in September 2016, the governor said his administration thought it wise to ensure that the roads captured for 2017 are key roads that would have economic impact on the people, hence the increase to 181 roads. Oba Akiolu urges support for gov Meantime, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, in his remarks urged Lagosians to continue to cooperate and support the present administration and desist from any form of clandestine meetings that may undermine the progress of Governor Ambode’s administration.
The monarch also urged the governor to give priority to the construction of Adeniji-Adele Road and ensure the construction of other roads that deserve utmost attention in the area. Choice of the 186 roads The Governor said that the choice of the roads to be constructed was made by the local governments in conjunction with the engineers, assuring that before the end of the year when the road would be delivered, the people would be better for it. Giving his account of stewardship in the last quarter, Governor Ambode said the choice of Akanimodo, Mile 12 as venue for the meeting was to show that the axis has not been left behind in the developmental progress ongoing in the state, saying he had come to listen to the needs of the people and where government intervention was in dire need. He said in the last quarter, his administration kicked off its “Rent-To-Own and Rental Housing Policy” aimed at providing affordable units across the three Senatorial Districts, disclosing that there are 4,355 housing units available with over 500 applicants prequalified so far, while allocation would commence next week. Expressing optimism that 2017 holds great expectations for Lagos, especially as the State gets set to mark its landmark Golden Jubilee on May 27, his administration would continue with its urban regeneration initiatives, building new infrastructure and maintaining existing ones. Police chief tasks monarchs Responding to questions that bordered on security, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni urged traditional rulers and community elders to caution their subjects especially the youths on the need to be law abiding and shun all forms of criminal activities.