SAN FRANCISCO, May 23, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the achievements of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration in one year as he commissioned series of projects in the State on Monday.
Buhari who was represented at the events by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, said Lagos under Governor Ambode has continued to maintain its leading role in delivering good governance to the people.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Unit in Cappa area of Oshodi, his first point of call, Buhari described the facility as not only the first of its kind in Nigeria, but one that would go a long way to improve response time during emergency situations.
He said, “With this special rescue unit, it is evident that we have moved a notch higher. There is no question at all that this facility is a world class facility.”
President Buhari, who later commissioned the Ago Palace Way, Okota, described the initiative of the State Government to build the road as a fantastic idea, saying the road was an important economic road that would promote trade and investment and enhance movement along that corridor.
At the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, where he handed over security equipment purchased by the State Government to the tune of N1.85billion, the President said that it was a testament to the premium the administration of Governor Ambode has placed on safety of lives and property of its citizenry.
Among the equipment commissioned include 140 brand new Ford Ranger Pick-Ups and 335 Power Bikes fitted with communication gadgets, Helmets, Bullet Proof vests and other kits.
The President said, “l have also seen already so much attention being paid to security and just earlier on we were at the LASEMA rescue operation unit which we just commissioned.
“Also here, we are about to commission several security equipment donation to the police and security agencies. In fact virtually all the security agencies including immigrations and Customs including NDLEA are to benefit from this latest gift of the Lagos State Government.
“I must also say that I am impressed with the fact that the whole effort at security is an integrated one and so we have the Light Up Lagos being an important component of that whole effort. I want to say that the Governor of this State deserves our commendation and all of the praise and support that he is getting”
He assured that the Federal Government would continue to support the State Government to actualise several projects, noting that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos-Kano and Lagos-Calabar are projects embedded in the 2016 Budget which would benefit the State immensely.
In his remarks, Governor Ambode said that aside upscaling the security infrastructure, his administration was also giving attention to the welfare of the security personnel through payment of allowances and provision of insurance facilities to compensate for any unfortunate incident while on active duty.
“These items are critical facilities required to address security and emergency challenges peculiar to modern city States like ours. It is our expectation that all these efforts, in addition to the “Light Up Lagos” initiative and the Smart-City project, will guarantee a safer and more secure environment for business and leisure.
“In addition, officers and men who demonstrate bravery, gallantry and high level commitment to duty are being acknowledged and appropriately rewarded,” he said.
Responding on behalf of all the security agencies, Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase thanked Governor Ambode for the security equipment, and assured that they would be put to optimal use.
Story by David Oputah
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