By Moses Adeniyi
The journey towards the commissioning of hundreds of statewide projects in Lagos commenced over the weekend. The journey kicked-off with the commissioning of top-notch infrastructures in Badagry on Saturday. It would be recalled that findings came up early January that no less than 377 projects await commissioning by the State Government across Lagos metropolis. While the residents of Badagry were graced with the commissioning of a newly constructed and equipped Four-Floor 110-bed Maternal and Child Center, the School of Anaesthetic Studies, Badagry, and an Edge-Certified 252 units of 2-Bedroom Bungalows, several other projects on priority list as promised by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu include road infrastructures among other monumental projects, which are all vital to resuscitating the tourist industry in Badagry division of the State.
252 home units Commissioning
The housing profile of Badagry wore a better look over the weekend with the commissioning of Nigeria’s first Edge-Certified Lagos State Eco-Friendly Affordable Public Housing Scheme which has 252 units of 2-Bedroom Bungalows in Idale, Badagry LGA.
The Housing Project was a Joint Venture Agreement with Echostone Development on a 12.7 Hectares of Land in Idale, Badagry, constructed under the supervision of the Lagos Ministry of Housing.
Each home has two trees and a garden, The estate has a Water Treatment Plant, Central Sewage Plant, Power Generating Plant, Good Drainages and very good interlocking Road Network.
According to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the feat is an expression of the strategic patterns of his Administration to develop a robust Public Private Partnership (PPP) architecture towards achieving the Smart City dream and to make Lagos a 21st Century Economy as encapsulated in the THEMES Agenda, the policy thrust of his Administration.
110-bed MCC, School of Anaesthetic Studies, Badagry
The commissioning of the completed Four-Floor 110-bed Maternal and Child Center (MCC) in Badagry and the School of Anaesthetic Studies, Badagry, was another project which found resonance in revitalizing the infrastructure profile of Badagry. The project finds expression in the second pillar of the THEMES Agenda, which bears resonance on developing a formidable health sector in the State. The MCC is equipped with ECG and ultra scan machines, modern baby incubators with oxygen delivery system, pediatric ventilators, cardiotocography and diathermy machines and multi-parameter monitors for mothers and babies among other medical equipment.
According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, his Administration is set to change the unsavoury records of maternal, newborn and child mortality indices, prevalent in developing Countries, in the State.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s words at the commissioning event read: “I am immensely proud to be here this afternoon to inaugurate the newly constructed and equipped Four-Floor 110-bed Maternal and Child Center, and the School of Anaesthetic Studies, Badagry.
“The School of Anaesthetic Studies, which has already trained 133 doctors and 65 nurses validates our dedication to capacity building and the professional empowerment of our medical workers while the Maternal and Child Centre is a critical indicator of our commitment to eradicating maternal and child mortality in Lagos State as well as our determination to consolidate our achievements in the improvement of maternal and child health outcomes.
“As a father and governor, maternal and child mortality is so close to my heart that I am ready to do everything within my personal and official capacity to put an end to it in Lagos State.
“In most developing countries including Nigeria, there are disturbing maternal, newborn and child mortality indices, but under my watch, Lagos State will change the narrative.
“Through consistent action and smart investments, our women will no longer die while giving life; we will eradicate infant and under-5 mortality in our State.
“This administration will not pay lip service to the achievement of the sustainable development goals; we are taking concrete action to ensure that in every sphere of life, Lagosians have greater access to all they need for a peaceful and prosperous life.
“It is an incontrovertible fact that there can be no socio-economic development without healthy citizens; we all know the crucial role of women in the entrenchment of a developed and progressive society. It has therefore, become imperative to put an end to preventable maternal and child death.
“This fully equipped maternal and child center holds great potential for healthcare delivery. It is a one stop centre for all reproductive issues including family planning, gynaecology, paediatrics, immunization, obstetrics and emergency services, among others.
“My excitement is palpable because I know what this means for our integrated health system in Lagos State. With the inauguration of this maternal and child centre, the people of Badagry and the adjoining communities now have increased access to quality and safe healthcare, reduction or even complete eradication of maternal and infant mortality as well as general improvement in all maternal and child health indices in this local government.
All these benefits will in turn have a positive ripple effect on the development and socio-economic indices of Badagry.
“I am pleased to inform you that this pivotal project will be replicated in other strategic locations of Lagos State. We have identified some public secondary health facilities for the phased expansion of maternal and child health services in our dear state.
“With quality healthcare being a critical indicator of development, there is no excuse for the worrisome but preventable maternal and child deaths. The health needs of our women and children must be addressed.
“As you know, the second fundamental pillar of our all-encompassing THEMES Agenda is health; we have shown genuine commitment to improving primary healthcare; however, if and when necessary, our people should be able to access secondary healthcare within their immediate vicinity: consequently, the MCC will serve as a secondary referral center for primary healthcare centers and private hospitals in Badagry.
“As we take these bold and decisive actions to preserve the lives of our women and children, I must commend and appreciate our healthcare workers for all they do to keep us alive. We appreciate your dedication to duty even when the odds are stacked against you. This government will do all it can to make your job easier; we are demonstrating this by reequipping and revamping existing hospitals while those being built will lack no modern medical equipment.
“In strengthening our capacity for improved healthcare outcomes, we know that it is not enough to build and equip hospitals; we must monitor and measure our health indices as a means of ensuring that there are indeed transformational changes in our health sector. I assure you that this is being done; our dedicated team at the ministry of health will leave no stone unturned in the delivery and assessment of improved healthcare.
“With our consistent investment and innovative interventions in quality healthcare delivery, I am confident that Lagos State will continue to take the lead in maternal and child health. The lives of our children and childbearing women will count, our children will survive, our mothers will live. We will have healthy babies and healthy mothers.
“I am hopeful that our investments in health infrastructure and technology will yield better outcomes and translate to a healthier state.”
5.5km-long hospital road, Badagry
Over the weekend, Badagry equally experienced the flag off of the construction of the over 5.5km-long hospital road in Badagry. The road will be reconstructed as a dual carriageway to connect Idale, Povita, Topo, and Ajido Communities to Lagos-Badagry Expressway, via Joseph Dosu Road. On completion, the road infrastructure is expected to economically boost new clusters of industries, commercial growth, and general ease of transporting goods. Governor Sanwo-Olu’s remarks at the event resonated the sense of hope to revive the infrastructure decay which has vitiated the tourist rich Badagry economy.
His words: “It’s my pleasure to be back in Badagry to inaugurate the first phase of the reconstruction of Hospital Road, a long overdue project, but yet more proof of our dedication to holistic socio-economic and infrastructure development across Lagos State.
“Ladies and gentlemen, and all residents and stakeholders of the Badagry Division, Lagos State is committed to addressing all your yearnings for the dividends of democracy and good governance. There is no division of Lagos that is more important to us than the other; every part of the State equally deserves investment and development.
“The reconstruction of Hospital Road is just one of many more good things to come, here in Badagry, which is critically significant to our administration’s tourism agenda, with assets like the Agiya Tree Monument, the First Storey Building in Nigeria, the Heritage Museum, the Eko Theatre, and long stretches of pristine beach.
“Our plan is to harness Badagry’s tourism and growth potential through the provision of necessary infrastructure.
“We have planned the execution and completion of this road project in two phases. Phase 1 will begin at Market Junction and terminate at LASU Foundation while Phase 2 will be from LASU Foundation to Idale intersection.
“Once this project is completed, there will be corresponding economic benefits in the form of new clusters of industries, commercial growth, and general ease of transporting goods.
“I ask for your patience and cooperation as this project begins. The creation of wealth and economic growth begins with the sacrifices of people and their willingness to endure the challenges that come with building for the future. In order to enjoy the expected outcomes of this project, we must collectively see it as a shared mission – a long-term asset that will positively define the future and stimulate the development of this community.
“Former American President, Ronald Reagan, said, and I quote, ‘Rebuilding our infrastructure is an investment in tomorrow that we must make today… the bridges and highways we fail to repair today will have to be rebuilt tomorrow at many times the cost’.
“At the inauguration of this administration in May 2019, we promised an inclusive government, with a comprehensive approach to infrastructure development and complete commitment to the issues that affect our people irrespective of their location within the State.
“Today’s event is a demonstration of these promises: we are in government to serve you and it doesn’t matter how long it takes, it doesn’t matter how far you are from the State Capital, we will never neglect you or your needs; we will justify the confidence you reposed in us when you voted us in.
“As a responsive government, the recent challenges of the coronavirus, the ENDSARS protests, and the destruction of public and private assets have not deterred us from doing the right thing for our people. When we construct roads, we create jobs, stimulate socio-economic development, strengthen our communities, and set our State even more firmly on the path of economic prosperity.
“This project represents an added boost to our inter-modal/multi-modal transportation system; it will reduce pressure on major arterial roads and open up the local economy.
“We have made the decision to transform our state to a 21st century mega-city, and no community will be left out. Through the prudent use of resources, we will take greater steps towards the Lagos of our dream by building sustainable communities with good roads for reduced travel time, improved mobility and exceptional economic productivity.
“I assure you that this government will monitor the execution of this project, and the contractor will deliver an outstanding project within the agreed timeframe. I look forward to seeing this road completed in the next few months.”
As Badagry experienced its share of the new development, other parts of the State are expected to witness the extension of commissioning of newly completed infrastructure projects over the next coming weeks. A number of projects are slated to be fast tracked for completion within the first quarter (Q1) of 2021 across the State.
The projects span across works, agriculture, housing, tourism sectors, targeted at improving development drive in the State, in line with the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led Administration’s policy thrust — THEMES Agenda.
Among other projects on the list as gathered, include the 52 Tonne Per Hour Imota Rice Mill, in Ikorodu; the Pen Cinema Junction Flyover and Ramp in Agege; the Restored Glover Memorial Hall, Marina, Lagos Island; the Ariyo (Mile 10) – Ira – Muwo Bridge Phase 1 in Ojo; the remodeled Youth Center in Abesan, Ipaja. The housing projects include the LagosHOMS Housing Project in Iponri, comprising 132 housing units; the LagosHOMS Housing Project in Lekki Phase 2, comprising 84 housing units; the LagosHOMS Housing Project Phase 2B in Igbogbo, comprising 84 housing units.