Lagos creates new agencies to boost projects’ delivery

SEEKING to instill best practices in project planning and management, Lagos authorities have established two new agencies under the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, which help in improving infrastructure provisions by the incoming administration.

The new agencies are the Offices of Facility Management and Project Management. The office of project management will assist in ensuring prompt delivery of projects by promoting the adoption of scientific strategies while the Office of Facility Management will improve functionality and quality of infrastructure as well as encourage a more sustainable maintenance industry and culture in Lagos.

State’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat who made this known during the annual Ministerial Press Briefing marking Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration eight years in office last week, said that the agencies became imperative to improve infrastructure provisions and sustain the achievements in the state.

Among the functions of the office of project management include, setting up and managing a state-wide project planning and monitoring (PPM) and supporting all MDA’s (acting as in- house PPM consultants) in the initiation, planning, execution and closure of various projects across the State.

The agency has renovated Staff Canteen at Lagos state Printing Corporation (LSPC); Eric Moore Group of Schools; the Odo-Iyaalaro Waste Water project and Lagos Court of Arbitration, and was involved in Concession of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) Ferry Terminals; Lagos State Printing Corporation (LSPC) Regeneration Project; Lagos Homs; Rehabilitation of Mini/Micro Waterworks; Regeneration of Princess Aroloya and Anikantamo Streets, Lagos Island and Ilashe Beach Resort, among others.

“The State government has invested heavily in infrastructure in the last decade. It’s obvious that the future of Lagos and its ability to compete on a global scale is highly dependent on infrastructure Assets.

“Asset management is the life cycle approach to managing assets, starting from planning of the asset, including, operations, maintenance, and ending at the disposal of the assets”, said Hamzat, adding that the office also engages in the research and development of machines and equipment that support the service delivery of the Government to the people.

For the Office of Facility Management, its major objectives include to ensure efficient operation and maintenance of public infrastructure; and ensuring the prolong of life span of assets.

He said that the Ministry also engage in the research and development of machines and equipment that support the service delivery of the government to the people, noting that the deliverance of these machines and equipment have great impact on various sectors of economy in the State.

General Manager of the Office of Facility Management (OFM), Ms Nike Adekunbi listed the projects being managed to include Agbowa Relief Camp, Maintenance Tinubu Square water fountain; JIC Taylor Magistrate Couirt, Igbosere, Lagos Island; Office of Public defenders, Suru-Lere and 24 others.

“Lagos State government, in the aftermath of its technical evaluation of the various bridges in the State, found it imperative to undertake the replacement of the expansion joints at seven locations across the State. The replacement is to improve the driving comfort of the users, although, the bridges are not structurally defective”, said Hamzat, who informed that a great number of road contracts have been awarded and works are on-going.
On the impacts of the Interlocking Brick-Making Machine set up by government in road maintenance, Executive Director, Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), Mr. Gbenga Akintola, stated that the machine been installed and working at Ajido yard of the Corporation.