The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration has continued to fulfil its promise to complete projects inherited from past administrations in the State, asserting that the State Government has matched its words with actions.
Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works, Dr Olakunle Adeyinka stated this on Friday while listing the achievements of the State Office of Works at the ongoing 2023 Ministerial Press Briefing, in commemoration of the First Year, Second Term in the Office of the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat in Lagos State, held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Secretariat, Alausa.
Dr Adeyinka recalled that at the inauguration of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, the government promised to complete all inherited projects and to also embark upon new projects that will be the bedrock of the THEMES Plus Development Agenda.
He said the government through the Office of Works has continued to deliberately invest in building infrastructure as one of the platforms used for discharging the social contract signed with Lagosians, saying “Through our projects, we have continuously provided jobs for hundreds of our people and provided impactful economic succour to those living in the State”.
The Special Adviser mentioned that the Office’s mandate has been responsive to bridge the gap between the required infrastructure and the current infrastructure projects in a way that generates economic growth and enables society to function.
According to him, one of the important methods adopted to bridge the infrastructure gap in the State is to deliberately improve both the maintenance and management of existing infrastructure assets in a way that would preserve the quality of the assets, adding that under the current administration, Facility Management has become an increasingly visible aspect of project design and management strategies.
He pointed out that the strategic thrust of the Office of Works based on the THEMES Plus Agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration has been centred around the continuation of strategic ongoing offices and public buildings; major renovation works, facility management and maintenance of offices and public buildings.
He averred that based on its strategic thrust, the Office of Works has delivered 30 building infrastructure projects out of a total of 76 of the building projects being undertaken, while works are steadily progressing on the remaining 46 buildings.
Dr. Adeyinka listed some of the buildings the Office is currently working on towards effective administration of Justice including the Construction of the Commercial Court at Tapa, Lagos Island; the Renovation of the Magistrates’ Court at Ebute-Metta, J.I.C. Taylor Magistrate Court, Igbosere, Lagos Island, Igando, Ogba and Ikeja Magistrates’ Courts; the Construction of Judges and Magistrates’ Quarters, Epe; Construction of Police Model Area Command At Elemoro (Phase II) and the Police Model Station at Alausa and the Construction of the Warehouse and Fence Works for the Lagos State Judiciary (Sherriff Department).
He also highlighted the renovation works at the Lagos State Code of Conduct Bureau and Magistrates’ Court at Ikorodu, Ajegunle, Surulere, Yaba, Ajegunle; the Construction of Citizens’ Mediation Centre (Offices, Alimosho is completed.
Recounting the impacts of work projects in the health sector, he said the construction of a 280-bed General Hospital in Ojo that has generated about 180 jobs is at 39% completion. Also, the 150-bed New Massey Street Children’s Hospital is progressing as scheduled and is being proposed for completion by December 2025 and has so far generated about 130 jobs.
While noting that Mr Governor has also approved the construction of a 1,500-bed Psychiatric Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Ketu Ejinrin, the Special Adviser listed projects that have been delivered to include three Mother and Child Centers (MCCs) at Eti-Osa, Igando, Badagry and Epe; renovated Health Centres at Harvey Road, Yaba and Ebute Metta Comprehensive Health Centre; construction of a four-story Faculty of Basic Medical and Clinical Sciences Office Block at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), among others.
Adeyinka disclosed that for staff welfare, the construction of a 24-unit Doctors’ and Staff Quarters in LASUTH and Gbagada General Hospital has commenced. “The Sanwo-Olu administration has, no doubt, demonstrated that the restoration of public health facilities remains vital,” he said.
LASG