Ambode Set To Construct 224 Roads In Six Months As Assembly Questions Gov’s Request To Re-order 2017 Budget

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode. PHOTO: LASG

• Seeks monarchs’ support to curb crimes

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday promised that no fewer than 224 roads would be comprehensively reconstructed in the next six months.The governor, who spoke while addressing party faithful, residents and community leaders at the fourth quarter 2017 town hall meeting, said 181 of the roads would be local council roads while the remaining 43 would be major link roads.

However, Ambode has called on traditional rulers to support the Neighbourhood Safety Corps and co-operate with security agencies, especially during this ember months, to curb crimes in the state.

Ambode, who said a database of all artisans in the state was being compiled to enable them improve their business through financial support from the Employment Trust Fund (ETF), warned against discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, age or religion, especially old people, in the disbursement of the fund.

The governor also promised to look into the challenge of accessing lands paid for by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and a retiree.Meanwhile, the state House of Assembly has questioned governor’s letter requesting it to re-order the 2017 budget.

Upon the second reading of the letter yesterday by the Clerk, Azeez Sanni, during plenary session, Chairman, Appropriation Committee, Rotimi Olowo, said the House needed more information and clarification from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Olowo disclosed that the January-June budget performance report from the Executive and interaction with MDAs proves that funds meant for projects were not released even as the Executive is seeking to re-order the same budget.

All the lawmakers, who contributed to the debate, including Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, agreed that the Executive should give more clarification and information on the re-ordering bill before the House could consider its request.