Demolished buildings across Lagos: Ambode promises to pay compensation in four weeks

•Pledges to prioritise education, health in 2018
•Says total revenue generated in 2017 was N503.7bn
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday, pledged to pay compensation, in the next
four weeks, to all the people whose buildings were demolished in the course of constructing public
structures around Lagos, promising that henceforth residents will be fully compensated and relocated
when needs be, before commencing construction works.
Ambode, speaking at the 10th Quarterly Town Hall Meeting, maintained that his government wants to
build with the consent of the citizens. According to him, any development efforts that do not enjoy the
support of the people would not be executed.
The governor, who stated that issues around education and health would be prioritied this year, said
the strategy is to start year 2018 with programmes that will stimulate the economy, accelerate growth
and create opportunities for all Lagosians to thrive.
"We are determined to continue to secure the state, improve the wellbeing of all residents and ensure
all taxpayers enjoy the dividends of their contributions to our commonwealth.
"Despite the harsh economy, our State budget performed at 82 per cent. Total revenue generated was
N503.7bn representing a performance of 78 percent; Total recurrent expenditure was N281.33bn, a
performance of 92 percent while total capital expenditure was N387.60bn or 76 percent performance.
"With this, we initiated and delivered many high impact projects and critical infrastructure aimed at
making life easier for our people. We disbursed funds to small businesses and individuals to stimulate
the economy."
The governor said the state is entering the New Year with confidence because it is on a solid
prosperity footing and with a lot of interesting prospects for all Lagosians.
"As we celebrate entering a new year, we thank you all for your support and cooperation last year. It
was your backing that enabled us to achieve the modest successes we recorded last year and commence
the transformation of the landscape of our State. In the last year, we delivered on our promises to
Lagosians despite the harsh economic climate."
On security, the governor said though the state has prayed during the annual thanksgiving, against
insecurity, including killer herdsmen, it is taking strategic steps to secure the citizens as there is no
space for killer herdsmen in the state.
Ambode revealed that as at December 2017, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund had disbursed
N4.5billion to 5,500 beneficiaries who also received training on financial literacy and business
management.
He said in fulfilling the promise to students in tertiary institutions across the state, N635.5million was
disbursed to 8,419 students across the state.
"Our government acquired healthcare equipment worth N2.5 billion. The equipment will strengthen
the capacity of our health facilities to render improved health services and also facilitate smooth take
off of the Lagos State Health Scheme which is designed to enable residents enjoy unfettered access to
qualitative healthcare.
"Since the last Town Hall meeting, we have continued the renovation and upgrade of our primary
healthcare centres and our people at the grassroots have started to witness a revitalized healthcare
delivery.
"In order to meet the needs of the youth in the area of technical and vocational development, we have
approved the establishment of three other technical colleges bringing the numbers to eight.
"Some of the key projects we delivered last year include: the New Tafawa Balewa Square Bus
terminal, the New Ojota Pedestrian bridge, the Aboru – Abesan link Bridge, in Agbado Oke-Odo Local
Council of Alimosho Local Government Area and adjoining inner roads, Ojodu Berger Slip Road and
Pedestrian Bridge, Jubilee Bridge, Ajah, the Abule Egba Jubilee Bridge, Freedom and Admiralty Road,
Lekki, the new Lands Registry, the new and upgraded Government VIP Chalet, Epe now known as
Jubilee Chalet, Epe."