Lagosians score Ambode at 1

When Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was sworn in as the  next governor of Lagos  on  May 29,2015,his prime agenda was to ensure that Lagosians continually enjoy the dividends of democracy promised them by the All Progressives Congres (APC) led government in the centre of excellence. His immediate predecessor and now Minister of Works,Housing and Power,Mr. Babatunde […]

When Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was sworn in as the  next governor of Lagos  on  May 29,2015,his prime agenda was to ensure that Lagosians continually enjoy the dividends of democracy promised them by the All Progressives Congres (APC) led government in the centre of excellence.
His immediate predecessor and now Minister of Works,Housing and Power,Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), was a huge success in the administration of the state so  people  believe  in-coming government shouldn’t perform  in driving the state to an enviable height.
Initially, Ambode’s government had a rough road  hitting the ground running,a development which caused some people to wonder whether he would be able to match up with the achievements of his predecessor. But his supporters said Ambode’s seeming snail speed of governance was not out of lack of ideas but founded on paradigm shift from his predecessor’s leadership style to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people.
Today,the current administration is one and a year plus and Lagosians are opportuned to measure the stewardship of the man in power during the period in view.
To  a university don, Hassan Suleiman,the governor  has done well in the  education sector in the state following the appointment of Vice Chancellor of Lagos  State University and ensuring 5-year single tenure for the office of vice chancellor in the  institution of higher learning.
According to him, the school witnessed serious infrastructural development in the last one year,adding that the state government is not stopping at the current level to ensure that the institution remains the  toast of all and sundry in the country and outside it.
He also said the current government had in the last one year pursued  vigorously the rail project as well as move its action beyond rhetoric on the 4th Mainland Bridge,which to him would go a long way in reducing traffic as well  as improve trade and commerce in the state.
Suleiman also said the state government  showed commitment to the growth  and development of local government in the last one year with the rehabilitation of roads therein and  other projects capable of giving the third tier of government an aggressive facelift in the state.
He said the proposed four- year tenure  for local government chairmen in the state is  an initiative with which  to professionalize grassroots politics in the state.
Mr.Sally Jubril,an official of Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees(NULGE),said the  salaries, emoluments  and  other packages for workers are regular in the last one year.
A secondary school teacher in the  state, Idowu Atere also  said salaries of teachers in the state are regular in the last one year when the current administration took over power. She said the government should try as much as possible to sustain the tempo as well as make teachers in the state the toast of all in terms of manpower development and skills
A businessman,Mr. Adetayo Fasasi,said the light-up Lagos project initiated by the current government  is a foreward looking one and should be commended by Lagosians.
According to him,the government should not rest  on its oars in creating more enabling environment for investment opportunities to thrive in the Centre of Excellence.
“To me,the current administration tries its best in the last one year. It shows it is up to its task to take Lagos to a reasonable height even though Governor Ambode is not making noise about the achievements. I think it is not out of place for the administration to introduce packages that would create job opportunities for dwellers of Lagos.
“Also,the issue of multiplicity of taxes by agents of Lagos and local governments  is disturbing and should be looked into with a view to encouraging a conducive business environment in the state.”
To Engineer John Fatoyinbo,the discovery of oil in Lagos during this administration is a laudable achievement on the part of Governor Ambode. The asset,he said,would change the pace of economic development in the state,but charged the government to give priority attention to the people that voted the current administration.
“The oil wealth should be used for the people who through thick and thin believed in the state. The government should give  priority attention to the people that voted it into power,” he said.
A trader in Sandgrouse market area in the  state,Gani Soliu told our correspondent that although the governor did well in the last one year,but the demolition of some markets and possible return of the occupants after rebuilding the structures is still scary.
“This is not the best way to build Lagos into a mega city. You don’t build a magnificent structure by denying thousands of people their means of livelihood.The Ambode’s government should have a human face. If you don’t want us to trade in the street,return us to our market after reconstruction  and build more affordable shops for the masses,” he said.
Mr.Christopher Anani, an  industrial printing operator in Shomolu,said the current government didn’t address housing deficit in the state in the last one year.
“This is a serious issue and one would expect the government to aggressively pursue this drive with a view to providing affordable houses to all and sundry,” he said.