Thursday 30 July 2015

Ambode orders 20 govt agencies to vacate rented apartments


AmbodeLAGOS State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to government agencies currently occupying rented apartments in the state to vacate such and relocate to the main ministries.


At least 20 government agencies currently occupy rented apartments, which a source said belong to friends and cronies of people in government. “The cost of running in such apartments are often inflated thus leading to waste of scarce resources,” the source said.
Also, Ambode yesterday received a delegation of Walmart Incorporated, a leading global brand in retail supermarket, where he gave a commitment that the state is ready to give necessary support to assist them establish an outlet in the state.
Among the affected agencies are Motor Vehicle Administration Agencies (MVAA) situated on Lateef Jakande Road, Lagos Water Regulatory Commission, Allen Junction, Law Reform Commission, Ikeja, Lagos, Lagos State Safety Commission, Magodo, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board at Ikeja.
Others are Audit Service Commission, Ogba, State Valuation Office, Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Board, Ikeja, Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Office, Ikeja, Audit Service Commission among others.
The order to vacate the rented apartments is contained in a circular No. 072 dated July 24, 2015 signed by Head of Service, Folasade Jaji, and directed to all heads of ministries and government agencies.
The circular, which has the subject, “Re-alignment of office accommodation of ministries, departments and agencies,” reads: “Sequel to the HOS circular Ref. No: CIR/HOS/15/Vol.1/065 on creation, abolition and re-alignment of ministries, departments and agencies of government in Lagos State, it is hereby notified for general information that His Excellency, the Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has directed that all affected MDAs are to commence relocation to their new offices with immediate effect from 27th July – 3rd August, 2015.” The affected agencies are to be integrated into the mainstream ministries.
It was gathered that the agencies have already been allocated offices in each of the existing parent ministries, which the Lagos State government uses to drive policy statement.
Receiving the delegation, led by the President and Chief Executive Officer of Walmart Europe, Middle East, Africa and Canada, Shelley Broader, Ambode said the presence of the Walmart brand in Lagos would go a long way not only to create jobs for teeming youths, but also boost the economy of the state.
He said the success story of the brand, which currently operates in 28 countries with over 2.2 million employees, would be beneficial to the growth of the state as well as his vision to make life comfortable for residents.
According to him, “What I stand here to offer is the commitment to make the investment clime favourable to investors. We want to ensure that whatever it is that would make the business bigger for you, we are committed to it.” Earlier, Shelley Broader acknowledged the investment opportunities that abound in the state, adding that the group is ready to expand its business horizon and create jobs for the people.

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