Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has assured residents that the state will record landmark achievements in major sectors this year.
In a statement yesterday in Ikeja, the capital, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, the governor noted that the state witnessed a massive leap in infrastructural development in 2017.
He said the reforms in key sectors of the economy would take full flight from the beginning of 2018.
Ambode said: “We have good reasons to be very optimistic about what 2018 holds in stock for our state and every Lagosian.
“The commencement and realisation of some of our reform programmes, especially in the public transport, environment, tourism and health sectors, will transform the landscape of the state and improve the quality of lives of all Lagosians.”
The governor said his administration would continue to up the ante on infrastructural renewal.
He said the 2018 budget of N1 trillion, currently at the House of Assembly for approval, would be dedicated to completing some ongoing critical projects as well as some new ones.
Ambode listed some of the key projects as the Oshodi Transport Interchange, reconstruction of the Oshodi International Airport Road, Pen Cinema flyover, 181 local government roads and other network of roads.
He added: “Given the fact that 2018 will be last full fiscal year of this administration’s four-year tenure, our major focus will be the completion of most of the ongoing projects.
“We will also pursue the objective of strengthening the financial base of our state through various measures aimed at boosting the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“We believe very strongly that this is achievable without necessarily increasing taxes but by widening the tax base and ensuring that all revenues due to the state are collected through technologically driven tax collection and management system.”
The governor urged residents to continue to support his administration’s quest to transform the state by voluntarily paying their taxes as and when due.
He said: “The dream of a new Lagos, which we all desire, is unfolding; we all have a role to play in this project.
“Our government is open to new ideas and partnerships. We will welcome suggestions for better ways to do things and improve on service delivery to the people.
“We will continue to provide responsible and responsive leadership, which is the hallmark of sustainable development in modern, functional and liveable cosmopolitan city like Lagos.”
