Speeches

1,600 Days In Office

Oct 15, 2011 - I welcome you heartily to the 16th edition of our periodic briefing with the good people of Lagos State.

For me, the periodic 100 day account rendering of our progressive stewardship has become one of the cornerstones of the success of the democratic process in Lagos.

Your presence here today further reaffirms your commitment to join us in building the enduring structures of inclusiveness and consultation upon which democracy and democratic culture would thrive.

The 1,500 day milestone on July 7th came shortly after our inauguration in May 29, 2011, and because we are a continuing Government we did not participate in the usual first 100 day reporting but opted instead to issue a press statement to retain our connection and keep our communication with you secure.

It is instructive however to state that between the 1,400th day and the 1,500th some notable developments are worthy of reporting, namely:-

a. we submitted ourselves for re-evaluation and re-election before, the Lagos electorate and the verdict was overwhelming. We won over 83% of votes cast in an unprecedented electoral mandate in our country's history;

b. we inflicted a crushing defeat on a disorganized and intellectually deficient opposition who did not win a single electoral seat in any of the State and Federal Constituency Elections;

c. the Inauguration of a new House of Assembly and the successful election of their principal officers in a way that reinforces the value of experience and continuity;

d. the Constitution of a State Executive Council that is representative of the broad based interests and stakeholders across the State;

e. the commencement of early planning and meetings at many levels of Government to build the new team into a cohesive and purposeful unit;

f. We signed into law, several legislations whose implementation will help us improve the service delivery that you expect of us and raise the standard of life.

Some of those laws are the Disability Law that makes special provision for physically challenged persons, the Tenancy Law that seeks to promote fairness in the relationship between landlords and tenants; and a new Criminal Law that annuls a 97 year old Criminal Law inherited from the Colonial Government and which now makes special provision for the protection of women and helps us secure the State better against criminals.

While all of these were taking place our defeated opponents, for whom planning has no meaning and to whom preparation is alien, dare to accuse us of complacency.

I will remind them that they were the same ones who accused us in 2007 of being too fast. Not only is our performance better than theirs by many miles, our institutional memory re-calls their perpetual inconsistency because they never have a commitment to anything.

Specifically in 2007, they said "we were running a marathon of 4 years like a sprint and that we would soon burn out".

Not only did we prove them wrong, I remember that I told them then that we had a plan and that our race would be methodically run.

The verdict of over 1,500,000 votes in the 2011 General Elections and the 100% return of all elective seats to the Action Congress of Nigeria, is the proof that we were right. This time, they sing a new song. They say we are now complacent.

It is clear that they do not know the meaning of the word. If they did, they will understand that their comment should be directed at their Party that has been unable to generate electricity after 12 years and billions of dollars, as if power generation is a new science.

Let me tell them what complacency in governance means.

In Lagos State, it means the inability of their Party to fund and complete the re-construction of the damaged Ejigbo Road from where millions of tons of petroleum products are trucked daily, which inflict pains on voters.

It means their party's inability to construct a rail transport network that will free tankers from our roads and bridges in Apapa and Tin Can Island.

It means their party's inability to re-construct the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway that evacuates millions of tons of cargo from the country's biggest sea port and which serves the five industrial estates in Apapa, Amuwo-Odofin, Isolo, Matori and Ilupeju.

It means their party's inability to keep the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in good repair to facilitate inter-state connection between Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.

It means their party's inability to maintain Eko Bridge and replace the expansion joints that continues to accelerate the daily deterioration of the vehicles of transporters and private motorists.

It means their party's inability to fix a 4.2 kilometer road that connects Oshodi to the busiest airport in Nigeria.

I think it is extremely charitable to describe their party as complacent; the truth is that they are clueless.

As for the Action Congress of Nigeria's Government in Lagos State, we have been diligent, committed and faithful to our promises.

In the last one hundred days, we have made progress in diverse areas of our people's lives.

In the area of Education, we have improved on the infrastructure in our State University and completed the University Staff School, the University Auditorium and the University Law Library which are now being equipped, while construction of the School of Transportation building is progressing.

We have appointed a new Vice-Chancellor to champion the renaissance of tertiary education in the institution.

We have reviewed and approved the Visitation Panel's report and released the report of the accepted recommendations.

Out of the 27 (twenty seven) courses submitted for accreditation, we have obtained full accreditation for 23 (twenty three) courses while 4 (four) courses received interim accreditation and none was denied. Other courses await consideration when the accreditation team visits later.

We have awarded new contracts for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 197 classrooms, at the Secondary and Primary school levels.

In the area of the environment, inspite of the unwelcome visit of inclement and severe rainfall, we remain a model of environmental commitment and standards, with the on-going cleaning and construction of drainages in Agege, Babs-Animashaun, Somolu, Lekki, Ijora, and Ilasamaja.

We have continued our annual tree planting to maintain eco-system balance, and the recent hosting of the African Mayors Conference on Climate Change, whose recommendations will form a critical input to the COP 17 Climate Change Conference of World leaders in South Africa at the end of the year, places us at the forefront of the crusade against climate change in Nigeria.

We have added 100 new compactors trucks to the fleet of our PSP Waste Collectors to improve their capacity to manage and collect our solid waste and we recently commissioned the Oshodi Transfer Loading Station which incorporated the first purpose built medical waste auto-clave plant in West Africa.

In the area of transportation, our commitment to safety and global competitiveness is visible to our worst critics, even if our cynical opponents require 'jigi Bola' to notice it.

Many parts of Lagos roads are being adorned with street signs, traffic lights and especially thermo-plastic lane marking and zebra crossings to assist motorists and pedestrians and manage traffic.

While I urge all motorists to obey these traffic signs and use the road furniture provided for their safety and pleasant motoring experience, let me acknowledge and salute motorists who are already complying, because we are encouraged to do more.

Specifically, on Sunday 25th September, 2011 at the intersection of Glover Road and Kingsway Road in Ikoyi, at about 10pm when the road was free and there was no traffic officer to stop him, I drove behind a yellow taxi driver, who voluntarily stopped at the red light and resisted all the temptation to jump the light.

I was so proud of him. He reinforced my belief that our people value the investment we make on their behalf for their own benefit and that we will achieve our goal of becoming a competitive global city State.

I took his vehicle registration number and by checking on the Auto-Inspector, one of our innovations in last 100 days for checking vehicle registration and for detecting stolen vehicles, and expired registration on vehicles, I found out his name.

I have since written to citizen MOSHOODI ABILAWON, a taxi driver and the State's Taxi Drivers' Union, commending him for his patriotic conduct.

The truth is that your Government is alive, responsive and working. We will commend law abiding citizens and sanction criminals. Our capacity to track them down is increasing daily with the investments we are making with your taxes and your time.

While we are improving road furniture, we have commenced the implementation of our promise to improve the quality of your neighborhood and inner-city roads, by awarding new contracts for rehabilitation of 8 (eight) roads in Aguda, funding the continuation of the rehabilitation of 16 (Sixteen) aging roads in Mushin, and 3 roads in Ogudu and we have completed the design of the Mile 12-Ikorodu Road which we expected to cost us over N30 Billion.

We are currently trying to conclude the financing arrangement so that we can award the contract.

We have completed Iju Road, and we are making progress on Ibeshe Road in Ikorodu, while the link road in Amuwo Odofin, between Apapa Oshodi Expressway and Festac Link Bridge is now open to traffic.

We are also working on the design of numerous roads across Lagos from Agege to Ifako Ijaiye and Somolu, such as Igi Olugbin and Pedro Road, while we have awarded the construction of Abiola/Onijemo Road and bridge in Ifako Ijaiye and works should commence very soon.

We have concluded and opened the ramp on Falomo to ease traffic on Ozumba Mbadiwe and one of the text messages I got a few hours after the opening is proof that the idea solves the problem that was symbolic of the area.

This is what the citizen said in a text message: -

"…good evening sir. A brief feedback on the newly commissioned Law School/Falomo new link bridge. Spent not more than 5 minutes between ascending the bridge and passing thru the traffic light on the Falomo Bridge. There was nil traffic at the usual Law School into Adeola Hopewell/Muri Okunola loop and traffic heading on to and outward to Ozumba Mbadiwe. This is a commendable achievement and well thought out solution to the gridlock on that road…"

There were many more like that and while we appreciate them, we are now more concerned about those whom we have not yet reached.

Let me say that this bridge forms part of the benefit of the Concession on the Eti-Osa Lekki Expressway. There is no toll on the bridge, but it speaks to the commitment of the concession company to work with your Government to improve our motoring experience.

Such benefits will increase if we embrace them and strengthen the partnership with Government. So this is not only about tolls. It is about a totally better life.

If we get more of these investments, we will free up limited funds to accelerate development in other parts that are not yet commercially attractive to our investors.

These are the kind of high quality road infrastructure we are planning in fast growing areas of Lagos with roads such as Mile 12 – Ikorodu in Ikorodu, Ayobo Ipaja Road in Alimosho, and the Ejigbo Bridge to mention a few.

Such high quality infrastructure do not happen overnight. They require detail planning and design which are the hallmark of our Government.

Let me also report that the construction and expansion of Eti-Osa Lekki-Epe Expressway by the Concessionaire and the Lagos-Badagry Expressway by direct government funding are making progress and so is the rail project as the stations in Orile, Mile 2 and Coker are nearing completion.

Our preferred Concession partner is already committing money to take over 200 coaches that I went to inspect and approve in Canada, contrary to the false stories that Lagos was buying the coaches.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, apart from road transport, our water transportation is also progressing, and we have concluded the dredging and signalization of the 32km water route from Badore to Ijede, while the Badore and Ikorodu terminals have virtually been completed except for minor finishing works preparatory to opening.

Today, from one operation route in 2007, we are running water transport on 12 routes (Ikorodu-Marina/CMS; Marina – Mile 2; Ikorodu – Addax/Falomo; Ikorodu-Ebute Ero; Marina-Ijegun Egba-Ebute-Ojo; Mile 2 – Marina/CMS-Mekwen-Falomo; Badore – Ijede; Badore – Five Cowries; Marina – Oworonshoki; Ebute Ojo – Ijegun Egba; Oworonshonki – Five Cowries and Baiyeku – Langbasa) under the supervision of Lagos State Waterways Authority and our passenger traffic has grown to over 1 million passengers per month and it is increasing.

Our commitment to social housing is beginning to crystallize.

With the launch of the LagosHoms website, the Lagos Housing Arbitration Rules, the completion of Sir Michael Otedola Housing Estate, the Olaitan Mustapha and Adetoun Mustapha Estates, the Ikota Housing Estate and the continuing construction works in Sangotedo, Lekki, Ajara and with many more to come, we have re-affirmed our reputation that we are promise keepers and that electoral promises are important to us.

This is the difference between us and the promise defaulting party.

While security remains a matter of national concern, we are unyielding in our commitment and continued investment in this sector.

We have recently added 60 power patrol bikes with armed personnel who have increasing rapid response capacity.

6 new patrol boats for the safety of the waterways have been deployed and I must thank Nigerian Ports Authority for agreeing to partner in the funding of fuelling them.

I will like to express gratitude to the Inspector General of Police for his support, first for releasing the boats, and most importantly for approving 5 (five) new Area Commands for Lagos State which will decentralize policing and administration.

We have concluded the designs for the Area Commands and we are working on the bills of quantities to cost the buildings and the Command Headquarters which will be located in Elemoro, Ijede, Alimosho, Ilashe and Morogbo.

With these additional investments, we expect to witness improved security.

I must also commend the men and women of the State Police Command under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, Yakub Alkali, the men of OP MESA and their Commanders, the Rapid Response Squad, and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad for their commitment to serving our State.

They have succeeded in foiling many crimes and apprehending criminals. Most recently, the Commander of 2 Police Mobile Force, Keffi, Superintendent of Police, Patrick Ejejare led his men to arrest one Kenneth Okonkwo from Abia State and one Azubuike Okafor from Anambra State, who had kidnapped 3 (three) citizens.

Not only were the citizens safely rescued, over 4,074 ammunitions were recovered.

These criminals and their weapons have been taken out of circulation and will no longer be a threat to our people and we are determined to apprehend more, even as we comment the gallant and dedicated officers.

Let me reiterate the need for continued vigilance on the part of our citizens and the need for information sharing with law enforcement through our emergency response lines of 767 and 112.

A citizen who used the 767 line at the time of emergency, sent me this text recently:-

"Give thanks to God with us. Robbers came visiting us but they could not enter the house. Kudos to 767. Good response"

Because night time illumination is critical to security, we have approved new street lighting infrastructure for Ikorodu Road from Fadeyi to Mile 12 which should be completed in the near future, while the Mile 12 to Ikorodu town portion has already been incorporated into the road design.

Regrettably however, I must announce that we lost 4,000 metres, about 4 kilometres of cable between Eko Bridge/Ijora/Alaka, to cable thieves which has returned that area to darkness.

While we are effecting replacement, let me issue this public warning to those who operate under our bridges and loops and to those markets where the stolen goods and cables are received and re-sold, that we have useful information and we are not only closing in on the suspects, we are working on very extra-ordinary measures to forestall any re-occurrence.

Those who are involved in this unwholesome trade should take notice now. This business will not prosper in Lagos.

The same warnings and plans are applicable to those who remove steel manhole covers from our roads and endanger motorists and pedestrians. We will track you down and bring you to justice. We are now on your case.

Of course I also need to add that after the 3rd quarter budget review, our aggregate January to September performance rose from 57% in the Second Quarter to 66.5% in the third quarter.

Although this is higher than the average which our visionless opponents post, they do not represent our own Eldorado.

They can continue to wallow in self-delusional and unfounded aspirations to rule Nigeria forever, but we must resolve from this next Local Government elections to demonstrate that our votes are more powerful than their impunity.

From today onwards, I appeal to you, starting from Lagos, to understand that the power to remove the promise defaulting party from our lives lies in our ballot paper.

The poverty developing party must never again be allowed to manage public funds at any level in Nigeria. The journey to realizing that objective must start in the Local Government election holding in Lagos.

In the same way that you have banished them out of Lagos in the State and Federal elections, I urge you to ensure that they do not enter through the back door of Local Government elections.

Apart from the fact that your Action Congress of Nigeria led Government is working tirelessly in Lagos, the other reason why Lagos is working is because PDP is absent.

We are already working on a comprehensive plan to enable the State Government assist the Local Governments in the management of their responsibility for primary health care and primary education.

I promise you that the results will be most beneficial.

Vote ACN, banish the promise defaulting party, and let us march towards prosperity in unison and in the pursuit of progressive ideals for a brighter and rewarding future.

Thank you for your attention.

Eko o ni baje o!

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Governor of Lagos State