Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday joined in the celebration of the grand finale of 2017 Community Day, assuring that the year 2018 would be better for residents and investors in terms of implementation of projects and policies aimed at making life comfortable and easier.

Speaking at the programme held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja with the theme: “Community Affinity: Aligning Lagos Communities With Private Sector,” Governor Ambode said though a lot had been done through implementation of various projects and initiatives by his administration across the communities, but a lot more would be done to truly transform and secure the future of the State.

The Governor, who at the event was endorsed for second term, particularly urged the people to continue to support the State Government and be faithful to their civic obligations, saying that government in turn would reciprocate by implementing various projects across the State.

He said: “Y2018 is going to be a better year for Lagos. It is a year we hope to achieve phenomenal increase in the State’s ability to sustain itself by persuading more people to share in the burden of the transformation going on across the State.

“You are all witnesses to the modest projects our administration has executed such as the reconstruction of Airport Road, Light Up Lagos, the Oshodi Transport Interchange, the Abule Egba and Ajah bridges, the ongoing Agege flyover, waterways channelization and construction of jetties, the Ikeja Bus Terminal, the Badagry Marina and the massive deployment of security personnel and equipment across the State.

“What you have not seen, but which is on the way is the implementation of the embedded power project which will bring electricity to every home in Lagos. You have also not seen the reforms which we are going to execute in the transport sector which will ease connectivity across the State.

“With your support through the performance of your obligations, we can safely commit ourselves in the conviction that by the end of Y2018, our communities will be better with more youths gainfully employed and small businesses growing. With a home to return to and a community to live in, our dream of a more secure and prosperous State will be another Nigerian wonder.”

While emphasizing the importance of the Community Day celebration, Governor Ambode said community development was at the heart of the policies of his administration and a key consideration in every government decision.

“It captures the vision and the mission of our administration to continually work for the general good of the people. At inception, we declared clearly our commitment to give governance to the citizens of this State, young and old, men and women, able and challenged.

“We said in our manifesto that from where ever you come from, as far as you labour and add value to the productivity of our dynamic and vibrant State, our government shall work with you to make Lagos State a better, livable and more prosperous home. Two and a half years after we signed that contract with you, we can confidently reflect on our policies, programmes and projects and assert that we have been true to our vision and we have been very honest in our mission,” the Governor said.

Besides, Governor Ambode commended the Community Development Associations (CDAs) for their various self-help initiatives aimed at developing their neighborhood, and urged them to continue.

At the event, Governor Ambode presented three vehicles to the best CDAs which performed creditably-well in executing projects at their neighborhood to complement government, while he also increased the prize of the community development competition to six vehicles next year.

The Governor also approved immediate support fund of N500, 000 each to all the 57 Community Development Committees (CDCs) in the State totaling N28.5million.

In his goodwill message, Chairman of Lagos State Community Development Advisory Committee, the umbrella body for all the 3900 CDAs in the State, Alhaji Tajudeen Quadri, said having reviewed the activities of Governor Ambode ever since assuming office, the body has decided to support him for a second term.

He said: “Having reviewed the activities and lofty accomplishments of our silent achiever in the area of equitable distribution of road infrastructures, health, education, security, emergency response, welfare especially with consideration for people living with disabilities, among others, we have unanimously resolved to support this administration for a second term to consolidate on the gains of the last 30 months in our match towards a megalopolis of our dream.”