Lagos Media Stakeholders Forum: Lagos State Government Reiterates Commitment To Citizens’ Wellbeing

….Sets To improve the state’s infrastructure, transportation, and healthcare systems, among others

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing the lives of its citizens, with several projects and initiatives underway.

This was gathered at the Citizens’ Engagement Forum held on Friday, January 24th, 2025 at the STO Resource Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, where the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, discussed various plans aimed at improving the state’s infrastructure, transportation, healthcare systems amongst others.

Speaking at the event, state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso listed some of the projects lined up for the benefit of the citizens.

Omotosho explained that pipe-borne water would soon be available to Lagosians, as the state government had signed an agreement with the Ogun State Government, who owned the water reservoir in Adiyan, where Lagos State was expecting to get the water supply, saying that the sum of N600 million had been paid to the Ogun State Government for the supply of the 70 million gallons of water per day.

Omotoso added that despite the challenges the state government is facing in making pipe-borne water available to the people of the state, it is making frantic efforts to tackle them head-on.

In healthcare, Omotoso said that as part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Development Agenda, the state government will soon commission a new general hospital in Ojo to cater to the health needs of the residents.

He said; ”the eralge spital in Ojo “is one of the very best that the health sector can showcase around this time. This is the first general hospital the Lagos State government is building in a decade.”

Mr. Omotosho highlighted the forthcoming Mental Health Institute and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centre in Ketu-Ejirin, Epe.

He said this facility, slated to become operational within the next twelve months, will be the largest of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, boasting a 500-bed capacity, living quarters, consultation rooms, and more, all situated on 25 hectares of land.

Mr. Omotoso said: “Apart from that, around Epe, we are building a Mental Health Centre. People go to hospitals to treat malaria and not many of us talk about mental health.

All over the world because of the economic situation, because of social factors, so many other things affect mental health. This is a formidable attempt.”

Also, in the health sector, Mr. Omotosho said: “In health, we are also building the Massey Street Children’s Hospital, which will be the best in sub-Saharan Africa. It is all about bringing down infant mortality.

“This is aimed at addressing infant mortality and improving healthcare. Our women will no longer have to worry about the inadequacies they face while giving birth. We are also tackling childbirth syndrome, which has affected the health sector.”

The commissioner also noted that the government is building a food logistics hub in Epe, which will be the largest in sub-Saharan Africa once completed.

According to him: “This first phase of the facility will be commissioned this year, and once it’s operational, it will be able to store food to feed at least five million people every three months.

If inflation remains high, this facility will help bring down prices in the market, benefiting Lagosians.”

In the area of water transportation, Omotoso said: “On May 29, 2024, Mr. Governor went to commission 15 boats. These ferries are comparable to any you can find anywhere in the world, ferries built by our young engineers here in Lagos.

“These ferries are not just modes of transportation; they symbolize what is possible in Nigeria and Lagos. They were built in Lagos by our own engineers. Very soon, we will commission about 10 more to bring the total to 25.

“As of the last count, about 16 jetties are ready for commissioning in so many places. Last year, we also made progress in many areas, including roads,” he added.

Mr. Omotosho spoke further on Governor Sanwo-Olu’s efforts towards creating a better Lagos, from healthcare and transportation to governance and overall wellbeing.

The commissioner said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration is also committed to easing the movement of the people in the state, pointing out that it had invested generously in improving the three means of transportation, including water, rail, and road, by building more road networks and repairing the existing roads.

“The year 2024 was very challenging, the coming on board of the Red Line is an interesting and exciting thing to me. People felt it took us a long time to complete the Blue Rail Line.

“We are not relenting on transportation. We are bringing up all the three forms of transportation,” he said.

On the provision of street lights across the state, the commissioner said the state had resorted to the usage of solar by erecting 2,000 solar lights, recalling that a total of N600 million was being spent per month to power generators that supplied street lights when the Sanwo-Olu administration came on board, which he noted was no longer economical.

Finally, the commissioner commended the media for propagating all the policies and explaining to people everything that we are doing in this administration.

The Citizens’ Engagement Forum, organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Information, serves as a platform for dialogue and collaboration between the government and citizens, to foster a more inclusive and participatory governance process.