Gboyega Akinsanmi
In what was described as the first time the state Executive Council meeting would hold outside Ikeja, the state’s seat of power, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday relocated to the state’s most cherished tourist centre, Badagry, to perfect development for the ancient town.
After holding series of meeting with different groups including religious leaders, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and persons living with disabilities, Ambode therefore, said his administration had perfected development strategy to make Badagry Africa’s hub of tourism.
At a town hall meeting he held with religious and traditional on Tuesday, the governor disclosed the strategic plan of his administration, which he said, plunged the state’s dependence on federal allocation to zero percent when Badagry’s tourism potentials and service sector were fully developed.
He explained that the state government under his leadership “will reduce the state’s dependence on federal allocation to 10 per cent, even zero level in three years. The future of Lagos is about service and tourism. We have a greater plan for Badagry. Our plan is to make Badagry Africa’s hub of tourism.”
After the State Executive Council meeting held in Badagry yesterday, the governor said his administration has fine-tuned plan “to make the ancient town of Badagry a hub of tourism and resort enterprise in Africa within the next 18 to 24 months.”
Alongside the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Olatunji Bello and Commiassioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde among others, Ambode presided over the meeting which at the VIP Chalet in Badagry.
He said his administration would spare nothing “to make Badagry a flashpoint for development projects in the state. Our eyes are set on Badagry, let us do something for the future. We are going to open up Badagry forever.”
During his three-day visit to Badagry, Ambode inspected ongoing projects and other government establishments in Badagry, which according to him, was an immediate response to the questions and suggestions from the townhall meeting.”
He also inspected the road under construction from Badagry Expressway to Whispering Palms Resort, where he said the contract for completion would be awarded next week, which he said, boost the tourism potentials of the area.
Ambode also paid an unscheduled visit to the Badagry Asphalt Plant, where he seized the occasion to commission the facility, saying his administration was aware of their hard work just as he assured that they would be duly rewarded.
Also speaking on the significance of holding the council meeting in Badagry, Bello acknowledged that it was the first time that a government would hold such a strategic meeting in Badagry.
He disclosed that no government since he had been serving the state in different capacities had ever brought the state executive council to Badagry, noting that it “is a good sign of the visionary leadership Ambode is providing in the state. Governor himself has been here since Monday.”
On his part, Ayorinde explained the symbolism of the state executive council meeting, which he said, held in Badagry for the first time.
Ayorinde said the decision to take the meeting outside Ikeja, for the very first time, was a clear indication of Ambode’s readiness and commitment to spread development to every nook and cranny of the state.
He said the governor had spent three days in Badagry, which according to him, showed that every part of the state is secure and the governor can perform his duty in any part of the state.
