When Bola Tinubu assumed office on 29th May, 1999, he appointed a cabinet made up of accomplished technocrats to optimize efficiency in policy initiation and implementation through professionalism. In his two-term administration of eight-years in office, Lagos State witnessed large investments in education, health, environmental sanitation, agriculture and road constructions.
All these were projected to meet the needs of the fast-growing population of the state. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his team of astute professionals from diverse fields ran an administration that spurred the unprecedented development and prosperity in Lagos state.
Tinubu’s visionary administration and unwavering commitment left every sector with outstanding positive impact; that is being referenced today as foundation for emerging great and smart Lagos.
FINANCE
Upon Tinubu’s assumption of office as Governor of Lagos State in 1999, the challenges that faced one of Nigeria’s populous and cosmopolitan States in 1999 were enormous. The most pressing then was the poor financial situation of the State. Bola Tinubu set up Committees to examine the various sectors of the State economy, validate his campaign promises and generate impactful policies and proposal for implementation.
As it turned out, the ideas were plentiful, but the means were grossly inadequate. The State and Local Governments had to rely almost entirely on monthly allocations from the Federation Account to fund their budgets. At Generated Revenue (IGR) of Lagos State was in the region of N600 million per month. Indeed, payment of income tax was virtually an alien culture to which only salary earners in the public service were forced to comply with. The tax administrative machinery was inefficient.
The first remarkable achievement of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was the recorded increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), from 600 million to 1 billion naira within the first six months in office.
This further rose to NGN 5-billion-naira monthly IGR. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration re-energized the state public finance and management system and made it Information Technology (IT) driven. It introduced electronic banking to boost revenue generation and stem corruption associated with management of government revenue.
The administration established Electronic Tax Clearance Certificate, Modified tax Clearance Certificate, Corporate Tax Clearance Certificate and electronically generated receipts for all transactions with the state government. Coordinating Accountants were appointed to monitor accounting activities in the State while 17 billion naira was recorded as dividend from investment in the erstwhile Vee Networks.
HEALTH
In Health, the administration reordered the state of things and incorporated a populist health delivery system placed at easy reach of segments of the society The first major step taken by the Tinubu administration in the area of health infrastructure within a few months in office, was the reconstruction, renovation and re-equipping of the dilapidated and long abandoned Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, the nation’s premier gynecological centre reputed to be the baby factory of Nigeria.
The administration also constructed Chief S.L. Edu ward and theatre complex at Orile Agege General Hospital as well as constructed and furnished the Critical Care Unit, CCU, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH. The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) was massively refurbished and upgraded into a first-class health centre of excellence.
An ultra-modern Eye Institute was built at the University Teaching Hospital with a cornea bank unit for cornea transplant. The administration also undertook refurbishment and modernisation of wards at the Ikeja General Hospital. It established a new Drug Quality Control Laboratory at the General Hospital to certify drugs and ensure their safety of drugs for public consumption.
There was the expansion of the Lagos State Emergency Medical Services (LASEMS) unit at Ikeja General Hospital and the new emergency centers established at the Lagos Island and Gbagada General Hospitals. The administration established fifteen Ambulance points on the highway with fully manned and equipped Mobile Ambulance Clinics on standby to respond to emergencies.
It remains commendable that the teaching hospital was successfully transformed into a prestigious and referral medical centre, delivering first class and qualitative medical services to Lagosians. This transformation was perfected with the refurbishment and modernization of wards, construction of new malaria research centre and treatment building.
There was as well the successful reconstruction and expansion of Lagos State Emergency Medical Services, LASEMS, which also included the establishment of new emergency centres in Lagos Island and Gbagada General Hospitals. The Bola Tinubu regime established and equipped five new General Hospitals in Mushin, Somolu, Ifako Ijaiye, Ibeju-Lekki, Alimosho and Igando. Also achieved was the Construction of Doctors-Quarters at the Isolo and Agbowa General Hospitals. It established and heavily Furnished a Renal Dialysis Ward at the Gbagada General Hospital.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The approach of Tinubu’s administration to Science and Technology has been described as both visionary and innovative. This is because the Tinubu administration laid the foundation for the success of other administrations that followed it. A website www.lagos.gov.ng was commissioned for use by Tinubu early in the life of his administration.
It established internet enabled Computer Resource Centres in all State government ministries as well as the House of Assembly Complex. All ministries in the State Secretariat, Alausa, were provided with internet and intranet facilities that runs 24 hours daily.
Computerization Programme and commenced using Oracle Financial Application for all its Financial Transactions. The administration provided Solar Electrification and Sea Food Dryer Projects at Bishop Kodji Village in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area at the cost of N12million.A Digital Village was established in Ebute-Metta and another in lkeja .
A World Class Computer Centre, the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (ABAT} Centre, fitted with the most sophisticated ICT was established. Provision of Video Conferencing Facility within the Alausa Secretariat Premises to promote interactive and face-to-face communication within and outside the Government. All the Tap stations in all parts of the State were linked to Alausa State Secretariat Central Computer Centre via wireless radio and provision of ten additional solar villages.
The first-ever Science Festival in Lagos State was organised by the Tinubu administration between 19th and 21st April, 2005 to encourage youngsters and the society at large to take active interest in science and appreciate the importance and potentials of Science and Technology. And that was why the Asiwaju Administration in Lagos State won World Leadership Award in recognition of its creativity, innovation and application of science and technology in governance.
PHYSICAL PLANNING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT MATTERS
On assumption of power in 1999, the Tinubu Administration reviewed the then existing Lagos State regional plan (1980-2000) and organised a public hearing on a new plan. It commenced the revitalisation and re-development of the Lagos Island Central Business District. It drew up a new master plan on the
development of lkoyi and Victoria Island and presented the new plan packaged into a report to the public. It set up a private sector driven model city planning commission and employed Building Marshals to monitor on-going buildings to avert incessant cases of collapsed buildings.
EDUCATION
In education sector, Tinubu’s administration also rehabilitated, constructed and equipped 20 primary health clinics located at Ojo, Ogudu, Marina, Oshodi, Akoka, Iwaya, Isheri Olofin, Palm Avenue, Igbonla, Agbowa, including Ifako-Ijaiye, Eti-Osa, Ojo, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe Local Government Areas. With these, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration actively engaged in the provision of health services at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
The education sector under Asiwaju’s administration had monumental improvement in areas of infrastructures and services right from 1999. The administration ran a free education system in all public primary and secondary schools in the State. As a result, over 1.4 billion naira has been expended on the payment for National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees for 572,032 Senior Secondary School, SSS 3 students since 1999.
There were construction of over 500,000 chairs and benches for schools to augment for the acute shortage witnessed before May 1999: construction of four Millennium secondary schools each with 39 classrooms, staff rooms, library, laboratories and 60 toilets as a new model for public schools.
Furthermore, 2,500 new classrooms were added to the school system through the Special Committee for rehabilitation of Public Schools, the administration undertook emergency repairs of fallen roofs, damaged ceilings, collapsed fences and provision of drainages in 133 schools under the Save Our Soul project and upgrading of 9 public secondary schools to model college status.
Also, included in the successful transformation being experienced in the State’s public schools are ongoing construction of 1,272 classrooms and provision of complementary infrastructure across the state. Within 8 years, 6 educational districts were created as part of post-primary education reforms while Tutor-Generals were appointed to manage them.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued cheques worth 185 million naira to 263 public schools under Coalition for the Resurrection of Education Empowerment and Development, (CREED), for maintenance of structures. These comprised 103 senior schools, 115 junior schools, 5 technical schools and 40 primary schools. While the administration sustained the giving of bursary to the Lagos State indigenes in tertiary institutions.
There is no doubt that Asiwaju Tinubu’s administration brought about considerable solution to the problems and challenges in this sector which seemed overwhelming and insurmountable in 1999. These projects are there for everyone to see.
HOUSING
As one of the major areas of challenge for most residents in Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu within eight years of his administration channeled considerable attention to provision of functional and affordable homes for low middle-and high-income groups in the State.
In spite of the tremendous challenges associated with land and construction, the administration successfully completed and delivered 20 housing schemes. This included Abraham Adesanya Phases 1 and 2 for low, medium and high income, Ibeshe housing units for low income, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan t¬high income, Ayangburen estate Phase 2-low income and Gbagada Phases 1 and 2 which comprised mixed developments.
There were also Amuwo housing estate-low income, Ikeja Phases 1 and 2-high income, Ojokoro, Shasha and Alaagba for low income, Lekki Phase 2-high income, Oke-Eletu, Oko-Oba and Olokonla-low income, Ilupeju Court-high income, Ewu-Elepe and Egan Igando both low income.
Through these schemes, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration delivered 5,555 housing schemes throughout the State. This does not include projects and schemes executed through Public Private Partnership initiative. All the schemes were constructed with complementary infrastructure such as roads, drainage, electrification and maintenance.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION
From inception, 1999, the development of Lagos State through construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads was among the first initiatives of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. With the railway already comatose and water transportation non-existent, the administration realized that for the wheel of the State’s progress to move steadily, the existence of good motorable roads was non-negotiable.
Thus, the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu devoted considerable attention to the provision of this critical infrastructure. As a result of its ability to sustain this concentration, the administration successfully completed 363 projects spread across the State.
The list includes the construction and upgrading of dual carriageways with sub structures or complementary facilities, street lights, pedestrian walk ways, medians and kerbs, service ducts, drainages and bus lay-byes of such strategic roads as Kudirat Abiola road Oregun, Itire-Lawanson-Ojuelegba-Yaba road and Ikotun-Igando road. Others are Olorunsogo-Mushin-Moshalasi road which was transformed from its totally dilapidated and impassable condition to its current state.
Akin Adesola road in Victoria Island, Ilupeju bye-pass to Agege Motor road, Agungi-Ajiran road constructed with interlocking paving stones because of its difficult and marshy terrain and Awoyaya access road Ibeju-Lekki also constructed with interlocking paving stones. For the same reasons, there is Complex B road Ikorodu, Alaba International Market road, Majidun Ipakodo road and Ikotun-Ijegun road which are part of the radical statement Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu made concerning the total turnaround of road infrastructure in eight years.
The administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was also involved in regular development and routine maintenance of existing roads in the State. Undertaken by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructures and its subsidiary, the Public Works Bureau, over 6000 roads received regular maintenance in his eight years. The most ambitious of this exercise was the 1000 roads in 90 days initiative.
At the end of this programme, the numbers of bad roads existing in the State were substantially reduced. As if these were not enough, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) was
involved in reconstruction and routine maintenance of hundreds of roads in metropolitan areas of the state.
Through this Agency, the Lagos state government under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu developed Bishop Oluwole Road, Kofo Abayomi Street, Idejo Street and Saka Tinubu Street; all in Victoria Island. Also, Bode Thomas Street, Tejuosho Street, Olatunde Onimole Street, Kushimo and Enitan Street in Surulere; Queens Street, Bauchi Road, Gaskiya College road, and Okoya Street have been rehabilitated in Apapa. LAMATA’s drive for excellence and efficiency in public transport management equally made possible its involvement in the upgrading of several other roads into high streets status. LAMATA is an initiative of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
It is equally to the credit of the administration that over 15 roads were successfully reconstructed, redeveloped and modernised within Lagos Island Central Business District, (CBD). With the transformation of Tinubu’s square into a first-class tourist spot, the CBD project which was criticized and condemned as a white elephant project is now receiving commendation from the members of the public.
The gutsy and tenacious approach adopted by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the hallmark of a focused and dedicated leader committed to restoring the State to its real status as the Centre of Excellence. Also, the dualisation of LASU-Iyana-Iba road, the Ajah-Badore road in Ibeju-Lekki, Igbo-Elerin-Agboroko and Iba-Iyana Isashi bye pass in Ojo, including the innovative Public Infrastructure Improvement Partnership, PIIP, is a pointer to Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.
Through PIIP, several private organizations partnered with the State government to rehabilitate several roads which eased movements of goods and services across the State.
TRANSPORTATION
Chaotic and utterly unpleasant are words that appropriately capture the transportation system prior 1999. Indeed, this was one experience Lagosians would not forget in a hurry. Armed with a blueprint and action plan, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration established Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
As an Agency established to maintain, manage and enforce traffic discipline on our roads, LASTMA, which is well equipped with necessary gadgets recorded tremendous achievements in this regard, which has translated into drastic reduction in time spent in traffic and associated health problems.
Then, the administration engaged in massive development of median barriers covering 26 kilometres on 40 major roads to curb indiscipline and penchant of the motorists, especially commercial drivers to violate traffic rules and regulations. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration also provided traffic lights at over 100 intersections throughout the state.
This quest for sanity on the roads also necessitated the mounting of numerous road signs at junctions and intersections across the State. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s desires to have functional vehicles
for transportation in the State led to the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit Scheme, BRT. There are presently 280 high capacity buses in the fleet of the scheme already moving Lagosians in a comfortable manner from one point to the other.
And by the time the dedicated routes are completed, the period of time spent commuting from one place to the other would be significantly reduced. Also, in the areas of ensuring a well-coordinated transportation system in Lagos State, the administration decentralized and liberalized the process of obtaining vehicular documents. Now, relevant documents can be obtained online and at banks without visit to licensing offices.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration also introduced rider’s card for Okada commercial operators while it is also credited with the introduction of “Auto Reg” to track down stolen vehicles. In all, compared to what obtained in 1999, the transportation system under Tinubu witnessed considerable improvement thereby contributing to the development of Lagos.