Lagos pledges to complete on-going projects

WITH administration of Babatunde Fashola drawing to an end, senior officials of the government have promised to complete some of the on-going social facilities, which is expected to promote the well being of its citizens.

   The Office of Works, a division in the Ministry for works and Infrastructure noted that about 16 on-going projects will be completed in due time and on schedule. Currently schools, hospitals, courts and other public utilities are being rehabilitated and new ones are being constructed where necessary.

    Among the projects are Science and Tech complex, multi agency building, multi storey building; Magistrate courts located in Ajegunle, Ogba, Epe, Ikeja, Badagry, the ongoing one in Igando and Lagos arbitration centre.

  In the education sector, Works department has complete Senate Building, Student Union Arcade, Central Library, Faculty of Management Sciences, and 3-in-1 Lecture Theatre, all at the Lagos State University (LASU)

   In addition, the office has embarked on a 3-floor building extension, sited at Harvey road, Health Centre, College of Health Technology, Yaba and renovation of Ayinke House, Ikeja general Hospital.  Egan-Igando Housing is another ongoing project embarked upon by the office.

 Similarly, to tackle the security situation across the metropolis, Office of Works has completed the Police Officers Wives Association’s (POWA) Secretariat in Lagos, include Police Model Area Command, Ilashe, Police Model Area Command, Elemoro in Ibeju-Lekki Local government area, include the Police Model Area Command, Idimu.

 Not left behind is the activities of Office of Works, are Oyingbo Market, Igando Relief Camp and Agege Stadium, Abesan Sport Centre.

    In the area tourism the office is embarking in the ongoing projects, namely: a 48-bedroom hotel, Fire Service Station, Lekki and Tourism Development, Badagry,

   Speaking on the activities, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, reiterated government’s commitment to the complete 16 ongoing projects. He stated as much as the ministry is interested in early completion, “issue of quality and their sustainability should not be compromised”.

  Besides, the office through its research and development unit is undertaking a number of initiatives, include fabrication of equipment relevant to the needs of MDAs. These include the prototype road sweeper, the interlocking paving stone machine and the hot air fish dryer. Also currently being designed is the seaweed and waste harvester, which will assist in cleaning waterways when completed.

  To this end, the Office, being the repository of government’s technical competence in the area of public buildings has the duty to ensure compliance with standards. The office is the consultant to all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government in the area of public buildings. Through this function, the office has helped the government save millions of naira on the cost of construction of the buildings.

   Aside from construction works, the Office is also responsible for the maintenance of a retinue of government facilities, which include, the Secretariat Complex, Staff Quarters and a number of equipments. These responsibilities observers said, have been discharged creditably. 

    Highlights of other responsibilities of the office include acting as consultants to MDAs in the implementation of various projects. The purpose is to ensure that quality jobs are carried out in the implementation of these projects.