Nigeria and World Bank collaborate on road project.

Nigeria and World Bank collaborate on road project.
Abdul Semiu Babalola, Lagos

The Lagos state and the Federal government of Nigeria are collaborating with the World Bank to begin the modernization of the Mile 12-Ikorodu road project.

Governor Babatunde Fashola who stated this while speaking at the event commemorating his 1,700 days in office, said the collaboration was aimed at distributing the dividends of democracy and improving transportation within the state.

According to him,”We remain committed to implementing the modernization of the mile 12-Ikorodu road. The design of the road is ready and we are working with the Federal Government and the World Bank to conclude financing on the project, which will cost about thirty billion naira.”

Artisans, market women, students, civil society group, prominent personalities and other stakeholders were among those who attended the event aimed at affording the people the opportunity to ask questions about governance.

According to governor Fashola “Critical areas of activity for us will be the construction and rehabilitation of inner roads. Work has commenced in some parts of Ogudu, Surulere, Mushin, Ajegunle, Ifako Ijaiye, Alimosho and Ikorodu to mention a few. This year we plan to implement the construction, rehabilitation and rebuilding of 152 inner roads across all the local government in Lagos state.”

Housing

On housing, the Governor said several sites have been identified across the state, in places like Ogba, Omole, Alimosho, Lekki, Ikorodu, Ilupeju, Agbowa and Magodo for which it has awarded contract for the construction of housing blocks of one, two and three bedroom units.

The Governor said that the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS) designed to make owning a home a reality by providing the opportunities for citizens to access affordable mortgage finance will take off before the end of the first quarter of 2012.

He also allayed fears that the project would be hijacked by money bags and be priced beyond the capability of the low income earners.

Health

The Governor speaking on health said, “We have actualised our resolve to guarantee the health and safety of our mothers and children by commissioning the Ajeromi Marternal and Child Centre in Ajegunle, this is the fourth of eight such facilities being built across the state and is coming on the heels of the ones that have been commissioned in Ikorodu, Isolo and Ifako Ijaiye.”

Resident’s registration

This year the Fashola administration intends to start implementing the Lagos State Residents Registration Programme.

The scheme is aimed at generating data on residents that will aid planning for the provision of infrastructure and security.

The administration has also expressed its willingness to fully implement the half a trillion naira 2012 budget, with the hope of spreading more dividends of democracy to the people.

Tax issues

The Governor however, lamented the low response of people towards payment of taxes. He said that out of about 8 million people within the working group bracket, only 2.5 million people are currently paying their taxes to support an economy of 18 million people.

Cokey