By Balogun Ibrahim
Lagos is always on the move. From the last quarter of this year, the Red Line of the Lagos light rail which runs from Agbado to Oyingbo, should begin operation while the Blue Line which runs from Mile12 to CMS would start running in the first quarter of 2023. Already, finishing touches are being put on these rail lines which would forever change the Lagos landscape and scope of public transportation. Other lines to crisscross the state are also in the pipeline.
Across the state, the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration has fixed over 1,000 roads. The Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) said it rehabilitated 524 roads in 2021 and is targeting rehabilitation of additional 600 in 2022. Also, aside priding itself as a megacity, Lagos is also looking at developing agriculture. Last year, the governor unveiled a five-year roadmap which would let the state earn $10bn by 2025. This roadmap includes the Lagos Aquatic Centre of Excellence (LACE) which would boost fish production from 20 percent to 80 percent, the Imota Rice Mill, the Lagos Food Production Centre, Avia, Igborosu-Badagry as well as other agro initiatives, including empowerment.
And on healthcare, the Sanwo-Olu’s administration has ensured that he touched more Lagosians. In February, he commissioned four Mother and Child Centres (MCCs) at Eti-Osa, Igando, Badagry and Epe. He renovated and remodelled the Mainland Hospital in Yaba, with future plans of making it an Institute of Research for Infectious Diseases. He also completed the remodelling and upgrading of Apapa General Hospital, just as the Harvey Road Health Centre, Ebute Metta Health Centre, Isolo General Hospital and the General Hospital, Odan are all undergoing renovation.
His administration has begun constructing the new 150-bed Massey Children’s Hospital in Adeniji-Adele, which will be the largest paediatrics centre in West Africa when completed. He also approved the construction of a 1,500-bed Psychiatric Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre at Majidun in Ketu Ejinrin.
He has done well in terms of providing infrastructure for the people, building roads, hospitals and in the area of education. So he deserves to go for another four years. But it is not only in Ikorodu that Sanwo-Olu has done well. Across the state, the governor keeps dropping one reason or the other why Lagosians rate him as a success. And with the success this administration has recorded despite the over one year COVID-19 stymied work, it is not surprising Sanwo-Olu got the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governing Advisory Council (GAC) nod for a second term.
Curiously, only the Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned the consensus status the APC/GAC has conferred on a Sanwo-Olu re-emergence. According to a statement signed by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC believes it is the turn of Muslims to produce the next Lagos State governor in 2023.
But Sanwo-Olu’s first term is showing that beyond crisis management, he is also an all-round leader as he has continued to march on developmental strides and amass social capital for both his administration and his person. Think about the economy, healthcare, education and even sports and youth development, the Lagos State government has not lagged behind, making it the most desirable state Nigerians throng to live in. In fact, Lagos’ economic status has been the envy of other states and they have come to understudy it.
Lagos has long distinguished itself as a cosmopolitan centre. As home for everyone from different nationalities, tribes and of course, religion, the residents of Lagos just want the best in terms of social and economic dividends. If it would take Sanwo-Olu to provide that, then he deserves a second term.
Indeed, if they ask you what has Sanwo-olu done to deserve a second term, show them this that Governor Sanwo-Olu is also building Africa’s biggest children’s hospital called Massey’s Children’s hospital and acquired 120 brand-new compactor trucks for LAWMA last year that cost over N80m per one with 100 mega industrial size bins as LAWMA will soon start resuming by 4am.
He also constructed a 20 brand new waterway jetties across the State, ordered for 20,000 free prepaid meters for Lagosians as generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in the state and he is building a brand new general hospital in Ojo local government areas currently under construction.
Governor Sanwo-Olu is building a business school for LASU students in Victoria Island, he also installed 3000 meters of fibre optic cables across the State to support free internet and ultramodern CCTV surveillance network in several parts of the state.
In fact, Governor Sanwo-Olu is also building a world class fishery company called LACE to be launched next year and converted LASPOTECH and AOCOED to full-time universities, also launched the last mile buses, LAGOS RIDE cab hailing service, bought new made in Nigeria ferries and speed boats and added well over 100 brand new BRT BUSES to the existing ones, despite the fact that some were burnt during the EndSARS crises.
His administration, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, is set to have a State Electricity Policy that will serve as a blueprint for the attainment of universal access to electricity.
Governor Sanwo-Olu has delivered 17 housing schemes. By the end of 2023, he’d have delivered no less than 35 housing units, adding over 10,000 affordable housing units to the market.
- Ibrahim, a public affairs analyst and commentator, wrote from 17, Ajanasi Street, off Ajagannabe Road, Oke-Posu, Epe, Lagos State. He can be reached via: balogunibrahim1777@gmail.com or 08060799328.