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… Says state’ll give priority to people-oriented projects
By Moshood Adebayo
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday urged his counterparts in the country to explore their comparative advantage, particularly in the area of agriculture.
The governor spoke when he received Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who was on a courtesy visit.
Ambode, who said no state could survive on its own, urged state governors to discover possible areas of partnership that would enhance the economy and create jobs for the people.
“What is most important right now is how to explore our comparative advantage to the betterment of our people? We must start to think about the reintegration of most of the economic activities and advantages that each state has.
“We can create factories here and use products from Kano to sell to the rest of the continent. Kano also stands more like an export zone for most of the West African countries around the zone. So, it is a win-win situation for both states, there is nothing else but for us to just show exemplary leadership that other states can start to think of how we can carry the vision of Nigeria forward.”
Earlier, Ganduje said he was in Lagos to learn from the strides of Ambode, especially in the area of crime fighting and improving infrastructure development.
“This meeting is a meeting between two mega cities in Nigeria. So, we have come to share our problems, we are mega cities and everybody is aware that there are some specific problems that mega cities have to confront; problems of security and crime.”
In another development, Ambode said his administration would continue to give priority attention to the execution and completion of projects needed to make life meaningful for residents of the state. Ambode, who was represented by members of the state Executive Council at the commissioning of several local and state government projects in different locations in commemoration of his first year in office said he intends to keep to his promise to residents that he will run an open government of inclusion that will not leave anyone behind. At Ifako- Ijaye Local Government Area of the state, the governor said the era of spending tax payers money on white elephant projects not needed by the people were gone in the state.
He also said the state has experienced improved physical and urban development, proper land administration and illumination of its highways and streets. The governor appealed to monarchs and communities leaders to address the menace of cultism, miscreants and hoodlums and promote a clean environment at all times.
In Alimosho Local Government Area, the Governor commissioned the Mosan Okunola Mini Waterworks after over 20 years of being moribund.
Represented by the Group Managing Director of Lagos State Water Corporation, Engr. Muminu Badmus, Governor Ambode said the State now has 33 Mini Waterworks and five Major Waterworks.
Badmus said the administration of Governor Ambode was on a steady journey to achieve the daily production of 540 million gallons of water to meet the demand of about 22 million population of the State, adding that presently, the State is producing 210 million gallons of water per day.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Mosan Okunola LCDA, Mrs Opeyemi Akindele said the water project was an eloquent testimony of a promise kept and delivered.
Also, a community leader and pioneer chairman of Mosan Okunola LCDA, Elder Abel Gbadejo said that just in less than a year in office, Governor Ambode has performed creditably well, adding that the Water Project would improve the life style of people in the area because water is very important.
In Oshodi Isolo Local Government Area, the Governor commissioned the popular Brown Street, Okota Road in Isolo and a Police Post in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of the State.
Brown Street had been in dilapidated form for years until the Lagos State Government awarded the contract to Messrs Lubrik Construction Company Limited in October, 2015 to rehabilitate and upgrade the road.
The road, with a length of 690metres has the economic importance thing of joy.”
Speaking earlier, Mr. Courtois said he was in Lagos to improve on the existing relationship with the state government as well as open up other areas for stronger cooperation in the future in several sectors.
He listed such areas as including citizens’ engagement, efficiency and transparency across the Ministries Departments and Agencies, tax collection, judicial as well as security reforms.
