Without being biased and sycophantic, it is worth noting to recognise the good deeds of the current helmsman of one of the cosmopolitan cities in the world, Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwoolu, since he assumed office as Governor of Lagos in 2019.
Before his administration clocked a year, he had facilitated laudable projects in Lagos State, including the management of the growing chaotic traffic the state is known for, the improvement of the state of LAWMA (Lagos State Waste Management Authority), the launch of Blue Box Initiative and Healthy Bee Initiative, opening of a 110-bed Maternal and Child Care (MCC) and another MCC at Alimosho and Ajah areas respectively among others proved his administration hit the ground running.
His management of crisis was brought to the fore during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, which almost brought the world to a standstill, he was active, working assiduously to contain the spread of the deadly virus and giving succour to Lagos residents while his counterparts in other states were puzzled as to what next to do, this earned Lagos State encomiums from World Health Organisation and global bodies.
What’s more, his detractors may argue about his controversial involvement in the EndSARs imbroglio, which almost tarnished his image. However, he, as recent happenings have shown, has bounced back and consistently stayed true to his campaign promises made prior to his emergence as governor.
In the last three and a half years, he has built over 1000 schools, improved classrooms, trained and retrained teachers, deployed modern learning devices to public schools, made education free for learners at the primary and secondary school levels, while lowering the tuition fee of the higher institutions in the state.
With THEMES, whose full meaning is Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, he has brought back the aura of excellence Lagos State was known for back in the day, trouncing every ounce of doubt people might have had before he became governor, bringing good governance to the doorstep of every Lagosian, be they residents or indigenes, and making the state the commercial nerve and entertainment hub of the most populous black nation.
In the transport sector, where I serve as Senior Special Assistant To The Governor, the first term of his administration have witnessed the expansion of the BRT system through the opening of new routes. Water transportation through it’s flagship LAGFERRY has also been expanded, with jetties newly provided and more boats deployed, thereby easing movement for residents in communities around Ikorodu and its environs.
Now, it operates with 21 boats, with the acquisition of 8 new boats on 6 February 2020 and 7 new ones added on 22 June 2021. As of 30 June and 7 September 2020, LAGFERRY had ferried 60,000 and 100,000 passengers respectively.This was bettered in 2022, with 500,000 passengers ferried within 2 years, successful movement of 41,040 trucks from Mile 2 Terminal between January and December 2020.
As of now, the construction of jetties are ongoing, with lots of nearing completion. These include Apa, Badagry (75.4% completion), VIP Chalet, Badagry (81.5% completion), Isalu, Ajido, Badagry (80% completion), Ilado Amuwo-Odofin (79.82% completion), Ilashe, Amuwo-Odofin (100% completion), Ito Omu-Epe (100% completion), Offin, Ikorodu (100% completed), Takwa Bay Eti-Osa (80% completion), Ijede Waterfront (35% completion), Marina Waterfront (100% completion), Oke-Ira Nla (60% completion), Ebute Ero, Lagos Island (40% completion), Mile 2 (52% completion) and Ijebu-Egba, Amuwo-Odofin (100% completion).
Much can also be said of LagRide, a cheaper yet cleaner car e-hailing service that has changed the face of transportation in the state, with 1000 units of SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) launched. Acquisition of 10-car intra-city metropolitan speed trains for the 37km red line project, compensation of 263 residents whose buildings were affected by the red rail line project, opening of 4 bus terminals (Mafoluku, Yaba, Oyingbo and Ajah), completion of the 380 metre long sea crossing bridge component of the Lagos Blue Rail Line spanning Mile 2 and Marina, completion of 78 bus shelters/bus depots with 22 of them undergoing construction.
His administration also reconfigured 6 junctions/roundabouts (Allen, Ikotun, Lekki Phases I & II and Ajah), employment of 1300 LASTMA officials to manage traffic, installation of traffic lights and CCTV cameras in strategic places across the state, construction of 14 new BRT stations, launch of 500 units of First and Last Mile (FLM) buses to provide an alterative means of transportation to the threats posed by the banned commercial motorcycles in the state, acquisition of 560 high-medium capacity buses for standard routes, landmark achievement of over 20 million passenger ridership as of March 2022 and creation of 700 jobs via LSBL operations have all made up the landmark achievements in the transport sector.
So concerned is he about citizens’ safety and well-being that he banned commercial motorcyclists from operating in six local government areas and nine local government development areas and is working on the completion of the Imota Rice Mill, a project envisioned to create 250,000 job opportunities and boost rice production in Nigeria.
Farmers have been trained to keep them abreast of the global best practices and the most potent means of growing rice while the biggest Rice Mill in West Africa has been completed in Imota and a new Agricultural logistics hub coming up in Ikosi Ejirin.
Showing concerns for the plight of the citizens who have fallen victim to real estate professionals, Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, 7 February 2022, signed into law three bills, one of which aims at regulating real estate transactions.
Five days earlier, he had signed into law the bill for the establishment of additional two universities in Lagos State: Lagos State University of Education and Lagos State University and Technology to expand access to quality tertiary educated and provide platform for producing quality human resources that would propel a 21st century economy with globally employable skills.
Many projects can be attributed to the delectable governor. However, what stands him in good stead in the race for the second term in office isn’t only the preceding but also his administrative nous and camaraderie exhibited in no small measure in and outside the mega state. He is a man who has consistently shown the understanding of party structure and has equally given his all in his services to the masses.
Finally, having traversed almost every nook and cranny of Lagos State, I dare say you know about what he’s doing to make the state a better place to live in for residents and indigenes alike.Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is your best bet if you want the prism of good governance to tingle you. You have witnessed how best he is on the job. Voting for him this Saturday will make him do more for our beloved state.
–Aremu Toyin, SSA to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, writes from Lagos.
