In its bid to address the challenges of inadequate office space and the issue of having to pay so much for office space rentals, the Lagos State Government has provided an additional 19,525m2 to the available working space for Public Servants in the State.
This was made known by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Adekunle Olayinka, during the State Ministerial Press Briefing, to commemorate the 3rd Year of the 2nd Term in the Office of the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, in Lagos State.
While reaffirming the commitment of the State Government to sustainable infrastructure delivery, Olayinka said that Completion Works of The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administrative Complex and the Revenue House, both within the Secretariat vicinity in Alausa, Ikeja, “the administration has continued to prioritise infrastructure renewal and maintenance in line with the THEMES+ Agenda and the Lagos State Development Plan, 2052. He said that the administration remains focused on infrastructure-led growth as a catalyst for economic development, job creation and improved living standards for Lagosians.
According to the Special Adviser, since the beginning of the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the State Government has intensified efforts to ensure completion of all inherited projects while embarking on the provision of new infrastructure initiatives that will strengthen governance, support public institutions, public health care and improve socio-economic activities across Lagos State.
Highlighting some of the flagship projects being undertaken by the Office of Works, the Special Adviser referenced the ongoing completion works on the reconstruction of Ile-Pako (wooden block) by the main entrance of the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, embarked upon to provide modern office infrastructure for the State workforce and improve operational efficiency of workers.
The Special Adviser said that based on this strategic thrust, the Office of Works serves as a consultant to all MDAS, and many projects have been successfully delivered, with many others still in active progress. He identified some of the buildings that the Office is working on, including Construction of New Massey Children’s Hospital (Main Building & Multi-Level Car Park); Construction of 280-bed General Hospital in Ojo, Construction of Psychiatric Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, Ketu-Ejirin, Epe.
According to Olayinka, “Construction of Hostel Annexe at Lagos State College of Nursing, Igando, Alimosho L.G.A;; Construction And Furnishing of Office Complex, Lecture Theatre With 750 Seating Capacity, Tutorial Rooms And Laboratory for Lagos State University of Science And Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu Campus, Lagos State.
Also the Construction and Furnishing of Office Complex, Lecture Theatre with 750 Seating Capacity, Tutorial Rooms And Laboratory For Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Ijanikin, Lagos State; Construction of E-Gis Headquarters, Alausa; Construction of Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC) Hall And Provision of New Buildings at Alausa Barrack Police Station, Reconstruction of Lekki Ancient Town Divisional Police Station, Lekki Town, Lekki Local Council Development Area, Lagos State; Construction of 460 Lecture Theatre At Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Noforija, Epe Campus, Lagos; Construction of Central Library Building, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos;
“Construction of a 1,500-Bed Psychiatric Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Ketu Ejinrin and the Remodelling of the University of Lagos Main Gate,”
While promising to complete all ongoing building infrastructure projects that will become the bedrock of the legacy of the Sanwo-Olu Administration, the Special Adviser said the government, through the Office of Works, has continued to deliberately invest in building infrastructure as a platform for discharging the social contract signed with Lagosians. “Through our projects, we have continuously provided jobs for hundreds of our people and provided impactful economic succour to those living in the State,” Olayinka said.
According to him, one of the strategies adopted to bridge the infrastructure gap in the State is to deliberately improve the maintenance and management of existing infrastructure assets in a way that would preserve the quality of the assets.
“In Lagos State, we emphasise a two-pronged approach to sustainability by ensuring routine maintenance of existing assets to ensure that infrastructure assets operate as initially intended in a long-lasting manner and the continuous rehabilitation and upgrade of new iconic infrastructure,” he emphasised.
According to him, the Office is also supervising several strategic projects in the justice and security sectors, including the renovation of magistrates’ courts across the State, construction of police facilities and the recently commissioned Lagos State Judiciary Sheriff Warehouse in Majidun, Ikorodu.
Speaking on healthcare infrastructure, Dr Olayinka disclosed that the administration is making significant investments in modern medical facilities, including the construction of the 280-bed General Hospital in Ojo, the ongoing 150-bed Massey Children’s Hospital and the 1,500-bed Psychiatric Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Ketu-Ejinrin.
He added that the State Government has also continued to expand educational infrastructure through projects within Lagos State-owned tertiary institutions, while ongoing investments in tourism, sports, agriculture, urban regeneration and emergency response infrastructure further demonstrate the administration’s commitment to inclusive development.
The Special Adviser commended the contributions of the Lagos State Infrastructure Asset Management Agency(LASIAMA) in maintaining public assets and ensuring sustainability of government infrastructure, particularly across schools, hospitals and office facilities.
On the efforts of the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency(LSMTL) towards strengthening quality assurance measures and enforcing standards, Dr Olayinka reiterated the administration’s resolve to maintain zero tolerance for substandard construction practices while ensuring that all government projects conform to global best practices and safety standards aimed at preventing building collapse and ensuring structural integrity on construction sites across the State.
While acknowledging the huge infrastructure demands associated with a rapidly growing megacity, he stressed that the State Government remains committed to fostering partnerships with the private sector and development organisations to support infrastructure financing and sustainable economic growth.
He assured Lagosians that the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Hamzat will continue to prioritise impactful projects and maintain existing infrastructure assets to create a more resilient, livable and globally competitive Lagos.