President Muhammadu Buhari has commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State for a satisfactory job performance, saying that the governor deserved to be praised for his contributions to the development of the State.
Buhari gave the commendation in his speech on Wednesday, after inaugurating the new Oshodi Transport Interchange; the Mass Transit Medium and High capacity public buses; and the reconstructed Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road by the Lagos State Government.
The President also expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their support to his administration and the roles they played in ensuring his re-election for another four-year term in office.
”Your Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has performed satisfactorily and we should all commend him for his contributions to the growth and development of Lagos State.
”I want to once again thank all the people of Lagos State for their support for our government and our party.
”This is my second working visit to Lagos State within a span of one year. I was also here in February to solicit for your votes. I thank you for supporting me.
”It is, therefore, with great pleasure that I commission the new Oshodi Transport Interchange, the Mass Transit Buses and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport road,” he said.
Buhari maintained that the execution of these projects had clearly demonstrated the need to continue to provide high impactful projects for the development of infrastructure and opportunities for job creation at all levels.
He expressed the hope that the new transport interchange and the mass transit buses would transform the state transport system to an enviable position.
”Just as this transport interchange with three different terminals is going to change the face of public transportation, the mass transit buses, totaling 820, will move the people of Lagos in a more comfortable and more efficient manner.
Buhari commends Ambode’s ‘satisfactory’ performance, inaugurates Oshodi Transport Interchange, 5.7km International Airport Road, others
”These projects by Lagos State are perfectly aligned with the efforts of the Federal Government to improve the country’s infrastructure, especially in the transport sector.
”To complement the Oshodi transport Interchange, the Federal Government has recently approved the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, up to Oworonshoki and Old Tollgate, which was last attended to over 40 years ago,” he said.
The Buhari-led administration recently inaugurated the new International Airport Terminals in Port Harcourt and Abuja as well as the rail lines from Abuja to Kaduna, while the Lagos to Ibadan rail line is under construction.
The President reiterated the determination of his administration to continue to prioritise high impactful infrastructure, which would vastly improve the living standard of Nigerians.
The Oshodi Transport Interchange is built to accommodate 820 Mass Transit Buses.
The President also inaugurated the Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Ayinke House, Ikeja; Lagos Theatre, Oregun and Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, Ikeja.
The President, while giving his remarks, said the project when put to full use would change the face of transportation system in Lagos State positively.
According to him, the new project will allow Lagos residents to move comfortably to their various destinations.
“This is one of the efforts of government to improve infrastructure in the transportation sector.
“The Federal Government had recently approved the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway; while the Lagos-Ibadan Standard gauge rail lines are under construction.
“Our government will continue to provide infrastructure to improve the lives of the people.
“Your government has performed satisfactorily to the people of the state, I thank you for your efforts,” he said to Governor Ambode.
Ambode, in his speech, said the government had the interest of the people at heart.
According to him, the five projects inaugurated will improve the lives of Lagos residents irrespective of their religious affiliate.
“We believe strongly that the projects will contribute positively to Nigerian economy,’’ the governor said.
Also, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Adebowale Akinsanya, said that Oshodi was arguably the busiest transport interchange in Nigeria with thousands of buses loading from there per day.
According to him, the interchange concept is an effort to transform Oshodi into a world-class Central Business District (CBD).
Akinsanya said businesses, travel and leisure activities would be conducted in a serene, clean and orderly environment.
“It is a consolidation of all city and interstate parks into a three-multi-storey bus park and for each terminal to take care of the parking and passengers’ demand,’’the commissioner said.
The Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road is built to ease gridlock as well as boost Nigeria’s image and dignity.
The president, who unveiled the plaque and cut the tape to inaugurate the project, was accompanied by Governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Lagos Governor-Elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Femi Hamzat, among other politicians.
The Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road was formerly four lanes before its recent expansion into a 10-lane, redesigned to include two flyover bridges at Mafoluku and the Haji Camp with five pedestrian overhead bridges.
The new road is expected to ease gridlock and enhance easy movement of travelers in and out of the country as well as those traveling between Apapa, Oshodi and Ikeja axis.
Some road users in Lagos expressed joy as the president inaugurated the road which they noted would ease gridlock as well as boost Nigeria’s image and dignity.
A freight forwarder, Mr Babatunde Owolabi, said that the new road would reduce travel time and enhance business activities in Lagos.
“This is a world class road, it will allow easy access to the airport and back to wherever you are going. Before the construction, this road used to be clumsy because it was not wide like this.
“There used to be a lot of traffic congestion before today, but this construction will ease movement. I am happy, this is a good project to make life easy for motorists and other road users,” he said.
Mr John Goodnews, a tricycle operator, who plies the Airport Road, commended the federal and Lagos state governments for the new lease of life, saying that the road would remove gridlock and improve security on the axis.
“Governor Ambode has done so well, you need to come out and see these street lights at night, you will think you are in London. The lights have boosted security here because everywhere is well lit at night,” he said.
A business man, Mr Austin Onoruvie, also commended the state government for the project.
“In the past, this road was not the Airport Road we wanted, but this construction now makes the road to look like a real International Airport Road that Nigeria deserves.
“They have done something nice for Lagosians and other people that will be plying this road,” he said.
A vulcanizer at Seven and Eight bus stop on Airport Road, Mr Nuru Taiye joined Mr Sunday Udoh, a commercial motorcycle operator on the Airport Road axis to commend the additional lanes which they noted would ease usual gridlock often associated with the road.
Commenting on the project, Mr Rotimi Thomas, Project Director, Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, said the project was unique because it is the international gateway to the nation.
“The road is starting from the new section of the bridge at Oshodi that is the beginning and it runs from through Apakun, Osolo Way onto the airport. The total length of the road is about 5.7 kilometres.
“The basic features of the road which is in compliance with international standards is that it has three main carriageways, two service lanes on either sides of the road.” he said.
He explained that the road was a two-lane which had been expanded and a U-turn bridge included for ease of access in and out of the airport.
He projected the road to last for 25 years and pledged the state government’s commitment to its routine maintenance.
He added that there was a control access road with service lanes to ensure smooth motoring experience for road users.
Representatives of the Oba of Lagos and several traditional rulers joined other stakeholders to welcome Buhari to the event.
Buhari also declared open the new 500-seater Lagos Theatre in Oregun, Ikeja area of Lagos State for public use.
The theatre is one the five built by the state government in line with its vision to use entertainment, arts and culture to boost the state’s economy.
The President, who arrived the venue at exactly 11:30a.m, after the inauguration, was treated to a live dance performance by a young group of talented artists before taking his leave.
Ambode said the construction of similar theatres in Igando, Badagry and Epe, all of which had been completed and ready for unveiling, was meant to harness the potential in the sector and also create employment for youths in the state.
Ambode said that the state was more than ready to take the driving seat for the development of tourism, arts and entertainment in Africa.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture,Mr Steve Ayorinde, said that infrastructural development, regeneration of old and creation of iconic attractions for entertainment, arts and culture enthusiasts were some of the methods used by the state to boost economic activities and improve domestic tourism.
Earlier, Buhari inaugurated the Institute of Maternal and Child Health (Ayinke House), located within the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.
Buhari, shortly on arrival at the venue at 10.58 a.m, did the unveiling of the plaque and cutting of the tape, and thereafter took a tour of the facility accompanied by Ambode.
Speaking at the Ayinke House inauguration, Ambode described the development as historic, expressing optimism that the facility would provide world class childbirth and maternal care services to Lagosians and Nigerians at large.
Recalling how the journey began, he said the facility was commissioned exactly 29 years ago, with the late philanthropist, Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony, donating the first dedicated maternal and child care facility to the State Government, in memory of his mother; hence the christened name “Ayinke House”.
He said the hospital, which started with just one surgical theatre, soon assumed a life of its own as a first-class childbirth and maternal care centre in the health sector of Nigeria, as well as first choice for expectant mothers.
The governor said that the hospital, however, later became over-stretched beyond capacity and somehow obsolete, hence, in recognition of the need to sustain Bank-Anthony’s philanthropy, the State Government, during the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola, awarded the contract for the expansion and reconstruction of the facility.
“Today, seven years after the closure of the facility, the new edifice is now a 170-bed facility with five surgical theatres.
“It has a 16-bed emergency care unit with three organ support facilities, 30-bed special baby care unit, five neo-natal intensive care units, a fully equipped laboratory with support services, laboratories and a blood bank.
“Beyond the significance for the health sector, this institute is a major contribution to our education sector also; as it becomes a veritable platform for our medical students in the State University to enhance their exposure and experience with the top-class medical equipment provided,” Ambode said.
He said that Ayinke House had also been completely digitalised with state-of-the-art medical equipment as well as information technology services supported by the State Ministry of Science and Technology.
Ambode said in view of Buhari’s determination of making universal and basic primary healthcare one of the cardinal priorities of his administration, the State Government, under him, had consciously worked to bring quality, affordable and modern healthcare to all our citizenry, among other initiatives in the health sector.
“Just last year, we launched the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme to allow residents access top quality medical care with a little contribution and support from the State government.
“These and other efforts are directed at improving the lives of our people, especially the women and children; and by extension the productivity of our nation,” he said.
While congratulating Buhari on his resounding victory at the recent presidential election, Ambode thanked him for finding time to personally commission Ayinke House and other projects in the state.
He said that the completion of the projects would not have been possible without the President’s support, administrative direction and encouragement.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said that the new Anyike House, Ikeja, would have positive impact on the workforce, productivity and economy of the country.
Idris said: “Some years back, we developed a policy to reduce the maternal and neonatal mortality rates, because it was totally unacceptable to us.
“In doing that, we try to find the reasons why; we call it three delays: First delay is due to ignorance, lack of education, especially women in the rural areas, who do not have the knowledge of what is happening.
“We needed to do educate them so that at least, if they become pregnant, they will be able to take care of themselves.
“The idea is that we are going to reduce Maternal morality rates; we will have healthier mothers who can now look after our children and make them responsible citizens.
“If you look at the population, 60 per cent are children; If we can look after these children, they are going to grow up to be healthier human beings,” he said.
Idris said that it cost the government approximately, about six billion naira to renovate the Ayinke house including construction, equipment and the information technology system within the building.
According to him, the facility is supposed to be the highest level of care with respect to maternal and child health in the state.
“This place has five theatres, which is state-of-the-art; so you can do gynaecological and obstetrics surgeries. So we are adding five theatres to the whole of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.
“The idea is to provide those facilities where such problems can be dealt with and to reduce the mortality rates,” the commissioner said.
Also, the Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, said that the government had in 2018 recruited a total of 250 additional staff for the new Ayinke house.
Fabamwo said: “We have 21 consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists and about 30 resident doctors that are going to work here.
“This is a 170-bed hospital and it is going to be massive; it is going to be a lot of work, so we need a lot of hands on deck.“
In his remarks, the President, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Dr Oluwarotimi Akinola, said that the new house would increase the hospital’s capacity.
According to him, the challenge that has faced maternal and child care has been inadequate capacity installed in the country.
“When we talk about maternal mortality, part of the problem can be seen in three major steps including the person wanting to seek care, access and get it.
“The problem is that we do not have enough capacity installed even in the country; so, sometimes you get to the facility, because it is not well constructed due to limitations, we will not be able to achieve much.
“But as Ayinke is coming on stream, at least, we know that in Lagos, we are going to have that upper edge again, which will substantially diminish the pressure on Island Maternity Hospital.
“It is a step toward the right direction, “ Akinola said.
