As a cosmopolitan city-state, Lagos, also called Centre of Excellence, needs to surmount myriad of challenges to become a true reflection of the sobriquet. TOPE MUSOWO, in this piece, captures the steps taken by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode
to give the state its proper status.
Tuesday, October27, the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Fulvio Rustico in what looked like a show of pity said the task of administering a cosmopolitan City-State like Lagos was the most challenge any public office holder can undertake in the world.
The Italian Envoy, who said this at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor, Mr.Akinwunmi Ambode, acknowledged the enormous challenges of governing the state, which is not only the power house of Nigeria and the fourth economy in Africa, but has also been projected to be the second or third city in the world by 2050.
Rustico, who was accompanied on the visit by Consul General of Italy in Lagos, Dr. Andrea Pompermaier; and Deputy Head of Mission and First Counsellor, Luca Attanasio, said he envies the governor going by the challenges of his office, and that his country was seriously interested in building on the existing relationship with Nigeria, and by extension, Lagos.
Hear him: “We look with great interest to the potentials of Lagos. You are one of the largest cities in the world and we were just talking about the projection that Nigeria is going to be number three in the world with 450 million inhabitants in 2050, then we have to think that Lagos is going to develop at least at the same rate in few years time, Lagos will be probably number two or third city in the world and so a strategic partner for whatever country in the world.
“I envy you Mr Governor because you have one of the most challenging and most fascinating tasks anywhere in the world. You have a fantastic city”, Rustico said.
He also announced that the Italian Mission in Nigeria has perfected plans to establish the Office of Trade Commissioner in Lagos within the next few weeks or months, and that the office would be very important and helpful to foster economic relations.
Responding, Governor Ambode acknowledged the support of the Italian Government in bringing about peaceful transition from one democratic government to another in Nigeria, which brought about the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said the moral leadership and integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari has engendered stronger bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the western countries, adding that because of the strategic economic importance, Lagos is the destination point for foreign investors.
He, however, solicited the support for the governor for the company’s quest for growth and development. Undoubtedly, security issue constitutes a major part of the challenges
Interestingly, Ambode on Sunday said that his administration has concluded plans to procure three helicopters next month to enable security agencies tackle criminal activities from the air as well assist in monitoring traffic gridlock to ease movement across the metropolis.
Governor Ambode, who spoke as guest on a radio programme said that the government would also boost the operation of Marine Police and the Nigerian Navy on the waterways in the state.
He assured the people of the state that his administration is working hard to build a safer, cleaner and more prosperous state for all irrespective of creed or colour. He pleaded with Lagosians to work with his administration and support him to take Lagos to the next level where there will be prosperity for all. According to him, “We are in this together, all Lagosians. It is your government; you put me there; I’m your servant and I’m ready for criticism.
I’m listening and I believe strongly that you have a say in this government because it is an inclusive government. No matter where you come from, no matter your creed or colour, this is your government. “I appeal that Lagosians should join hands with me; tolerate whatever it is that you are seeing and make sure that you also carry out your own civic obligations. Pay your taxes because it is the only way that Lagos can grow and you know, the bottom line is this, we all need to work together to achieve a safer Lagos; a cleaner Lagos; and a more prosperous Lagos and that is what all of us are going to do,” he said.
The governor, who spoke on wide ranging issues affecting the state, assured that a flyover bridge will soon be constructed at the Ajah Roundabout, and that the Lagos State Public Works Corporation has equally been mandated to fix all potholes in the state both on Federal, State and Local Government roads to ease vehicular movement.
While lamenting the situation whereby over 3, 000 tankers visit Lagos on a daily basis to lift fuel, Governor Ambode said that the population of Lagos keeps increasing, and same was due to the fact that the state is working. Governor Ambode, who explained that his administration was being limited by the Appropriation Law of 2015, promised that more roads and projects will be accommodated in the 2016 budget, and pleaded for understanding from the people. He said the state government was taking the initiative to address major issues in the state, revealing that a total of 63 communities in the Lekki-Ajah axis, which have been in darkness for over five years, will be connected to the national grid before the end of the year.
