We’ll spare nothing to secure lives of 22 million Lagosians- Ambode

…Urges Companies To Install CCTV Cameras In Premises

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said his administration will leave no stone unturned and continue to deploy more technologically advanced techniques and equipment to ensure that the safety of lives and property of 22 million residents in the State is secured.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at the 11th edition of the Town Hall Meeting on Security, organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and held at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House in Ikeja in Alausa, said policing the State requires all and sundry to join hands with Government to ensure that the peace being enjoyed in the State is not compromised.

Alluding to the fact that criminal elements despite efforts by the Government have continue to perpetrate their nefarious activities but that his administration is prepared to do whatever it takes to make it exceedingly difficult for these criminals to succeed in their evil plots and in the event that they do, they are apprehended and brought to justice.

He therefore said that Government was investing heavily in technology equipment and strategies to aid security agencies carry out their primary function of policing the State efficiently.

“Technology can reach where man cannot. This is why your State has invested in mobile CCTV vans with control units, provision of drones, robotic bomb disposal equipment, tracker, bomb detectors, mobile scanners etc. The State has also commenced the installation of CCTV cameras and is in talks for the purchase of surveillance aircraft that carry special cameras with 3D imagery, infrared and thermal imagery which can effectively gather intelligence in all parts of the State and would assist significantly in dealing with the menace of kidnapping,” Governor Ambode said.

The Governor, however, seized the occasion to urge owners of businesses and organisations to install CCTV cameras in their premises to help expand the reach of law enforcement agents in the event of any security breach.

“We still need your continued support in providing equipment and logistics for the police and other security agencies through your contributions to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

“Be assured that the Lagos State Government is committed to rid our society of those that opt for crime. Our continued provision of equipment and logistics for the security agencies operating in Lagos is evident to this. Our government will also continue to provide state of the art infrastructure in order to achieve our vision of making Lagos a safe, prosperous and smart mega city,” he said.

Speaking on the plan by the Federal Government to demolish Jibowu and Costain bridges in Lagos, Governor Ambode said the development is necessary to give way for the new rail project which according to him, will be beneficial to the economy of the State and Nigeria as well.

“The Jibowu and Costain bridges will give way for the laying of tracks of a Lagos-Ibadan rail project. The demolition would give room for a track that would stretch from the old Fela Shrine to WAEC end and the track will be constructed in such a way that no vehicle can cross it,” Governor Ambode said.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Edgal Imohimi, said the introduction of community policing and the increase in police visibility had resulted in 35 per cent decline in crime in the State.

Imohimi, however, said that despite massive contributions by the State Security Trust Fund, dearth of patrol vehicles remained a challenge.

“Many vehicles attached to the divisions have become rickety and unserviceable due to old age and over usage,” he said.
Imohimi, however, said the command would not relent in its efforts to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far, but would appreciate if additional critical fighting equipment were provided saying that it would help to improve on the successes so far recorded in the command’s fight against crime and criminality.

Also speaking, Secretary of the LSSTF, Mr Abdulrazaq Balogun, said there was need for organisations to engage in consistent and sustainable security model, expressing optimism that it will go a long way to enhance strategic planning for improved security in the State.

LASG TO BEGIN DISBURSEMENT OF N25BN EMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND NEXT WEEK

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Tuesday, disclosed the State Government would begin the disbursement of the much anticipated N25 billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) and other empowerment programmes initiated by his administration next week.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at the 3rd Quarter 2016 Town Hall Meeting, held at the Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere said that the funds for the programmes targeted to assist youths, artisans and the needy become self reliant have been provided, hence beneficiaries would start getting support from the last quarter of the year.

“We will roll out all our empowerment programmes immediately to assist all our youth, artisans and the needy. The funding for the N500m Lagos State Persons Living with Disability Fund has been provided and beneficiaries will start getting support from this quarter,” Governor Ambode said.

On security, especially at the community level, Governor Ambode also disclosed plans to recruit at least 5,000 Neighbourhood Watchers with new recruits expected to earn at least N25, 000 monthly with other allowances.

He said the neighbourhood Safety Agency Bill which he signed into Law on August 15, 2016, was part of efforts to institutionalise and deepen community policing in the State.

“There is a law that has just been passed which is the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps Law, 2016 and in line with the resolution taken by the House of Assembly yesterday, we would go all out to make sure that this agency is activated and all our neighborhoods will be covered, and then centralize with the State Government with all the necessary equipment and resources to ensure that we establish what we call community policing and that is the way to go.
“We will rebrand Neighborhood Watchers and re-equip them to the level that each Neighborhood Watchers in all the Local Governments will have their vehicles and necessary equipment to complement security. We are also working on employing additional 5,000 Neighborhood Watchers in all our Local Governments and they will be paid by us, while the basic salary for the entrance level will be N25,000 per month,” the Governor said.

Speaking on the budget performance of the 2016 budget, Governor Ambode disclosed that the State’s budget performance for January to September performed at 69 per cent as against 65 per cent for the same period in 2015.

Ambode revealed that a total of N166.8billion has been spent on capital projects this year, a figure, he said, was more than double the N53.6billion spent for the same period.