If there is one thing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode does not need now: it is distraction. Go round Lagos and you will understand that what Lagosians want is for their governor to consolidate on his blooming achievements. But for some people, they feel the governor can do with some distraction. My take is: he does not need anything of such.
The distraction, this time around, centres around what the governor did on October 19, last year. That day, Ambode dropped three commissioners from his executive council. Those affected are: Mr. Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, who was Commissioner for Tourism; Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi, who was Commissioner for Finance and Dr. Ekundayo Mobereola, who was Commissioner for Transportation. This development came exactly one year after the governor constituted his Executive Council, precisely on October 19, 2016. Some few weeks ago, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson threw in the towel as Commissioner for Works. After a sustained sixteen years of being in power as permanent secretary, Special Adviser and Commissioner and at about close to seventy years, it is not impossible that the man may not be able to cope with the high developmental pace of Mr. Ambode.
Last year’s October, it was a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, that expressed the high riding governor’s appreciation to the former commissioners for their service to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Since the incident, there have been murmurings here and there. Now, it has grown louder. Motives have been read into the governor’s action. Mischief makers are accusing the governor of doing away with a particular commissioner because he could not stand his rising profile, among other funny reasons.
But as someone who is no stranger to government circle in the state of acquatic splendor, I can say without fear or favour that the man in question is an embodiment of insubordination, high-handedness and disloyalty. His outright disloyalty to the governor was an open secret. He carried on as if he owned tomorrow and no one could question him. Attempts to make him toe the line were rebuffed with arrogance.
At a point he boasted openly that he was at par with the governor and clearly undermined his authority. Yet this is a man who was almost last year consumed by a major global scandal.
Another of those sacked lost his job to incompetence in the performance of his duty. I heard the governor a number of times had to put him through his tasks. He did many things outside due process, such as approving a contract worth millions of naira without the governor’s approval. The governor had to cancel the contract and tongue-lashed him. Another of the erstwhile commissioners actually collected gratification and was caught and he has gone to the ridiculous level of lying that he was told to come and swear to a secret oath by God knows who. He is just lying just to hide his sordid action that led to his being booted out of office.
Attempts by these former commissioners at trying to paint the governor in a borrowed garb is sure in bad taste. The Ambode I know is a decent man who abhors cutting corners and that has shown in where he has led Lagos in less than two years in power.
I had a chance meeting with the governor in Badagry when he led officials of the state government to some form of retreat in the historical term. I had gone there to see an official for a personal matter. It was a delight listening to this man, who Lagosians are getting to know meant his campaign slogan “ Itesiwaju Eko lo je wa logun” – meaning “Lagos’ progress is our key priority”.
One thing that has endeared this man to me is the fact that he is humble amongst people who can help him achieve the Lagos of his dream. He is too busy developing Lagos to have time for stupid murmurings over his actions.
The other day I passed through Abule-Egba and I could not stop saying ‘waoh’ at the massive urban regeneration taking place there. The massive bridge being constructed there is bound to change the landscape of the area and ease traffic. Though I felt sad at the number of homes, businesses and shopping centres that went down as a result of the project, the end, I believe, will be for the good of all. A similar project is also going on at the Ajah corridor, just like the popular Pen Cinema in Agege is also warming up.
To ease the traffic gridlock on the Lekki-Epe Expressway, three roundabouts— the 4th Roundabout (Elegushi); 5th Roundabout (Jakande) and the 8th Roundabout (VGC)—are to be removed. They will be replaced by traffic lights, expansion of the roads, provision of dedicated turning lanes and additional lay-bys. The road was constructed to accommodate about 30,000 vehicles per day, but the vehicular movement has now increased to over 50,000 daily
The Pen Cinema fly-over bridge that he promised to commence soon will lead to the expansion of the Oba Ogunji Road and create barriers. The project will also accommodate a generous walkway similar to the Ikorodu Expressway and the bridge will have a free flow all the way to Agunbiade.
The pedestrian bridge at the ever-busy Berger Bus Stop on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is already facilitating easy human and vehicular movement.
Since emerging as the governor of Lagos State, Ambode has really turned the state to a huge construction site. From Osodi to Agege to Abule Egba, Okota, Lekki and many others, one major project or the other is going on.
The governor showed the state’s pace-setting status when he inaugurated the first state-owned helipad for medical emergencies. It is a lifesaving asset critical to the efficient functioning of LASUTH and other emergency services being rendered by the state.
The people on Alhaji Idowu Street, Akowonjo, a Lagos suburb have not stopped praising the governor for helping us break a 35-year-old jinx. Before the governor helped fixed the road, when it rained, things were terrible. Buildings were submerged. Properties got damaged. There were instances where school children got swept away.
Ambode has ended all the woes. We now have a road complete with street lights and well-dredged drainages.
Alhaji Moshood Idowu, who the street is named after, said: “We want to thank the Lagos State Governor Ambode for giving us a lifetime gift. Some businesses have suffered here because of the bad road. The road was so terrible that we could not cross from some point to the other. We have called on all our community leaders to cooperate with the government so that Lagos state will continue to excel than other states. What they have done here is a mega road in a mega city for a mega community.
Luckily, we also have a Nigerian who has the interest of the people at heart as the contractor, Bashaul Construction Company. What he has done here is a world class engineering work. In fact, he has given us additional construction which is not part of his contract.
“We are calling on government to also choose capable indigenous contractors who have the interest of the people and will do what is good for us because he is a Nigerian and he is capable. If they give Bashaul Fourth Mainland Bridge, he will perform.
“The contractors are working with so much sincerity; they should be praised. They have done a first class job. The government has also done well. The fixing of our community roads was a dream come true. These engineers are committed to the project.”
Certainly, Ambode seems to be activating his major slogan — Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Loje Wa Logun— which prioritise the progress of Lagos State.
Biko, let the governor focus and give us the mega city we will all be proud of. Lagos is bigger than a few people’s ambitions.
-Tenibegiloju, a Political Historian lives in Sangotedo, Lagos.
