CLEAN-UP OF VI, IKOYI: AMBODE DONATES TWO VANS TO RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday donated two Toyota Hilux Pick-Up vans to the Victoria Island Ikoyi Residents Association (VIIRA), says it is in furtherance of the need to sustain the gains of the clean-up of Ikoyi andVictoria Island areas.

The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, while handing over the keys, said he is committed to the success of the exercise and that there was need to empower the Residents’ Association to assist in driving the campaign.

Bello who spoke at the Car Park of Lagos House, Ikeja, venue of the donation, stressed that the present administration believes that the government cannot do it alone and must involve all members of the community.

“The residents are the first to notice any infraction in any area and would be able to tell the government about it. These vehicles would be used in patrolling the cleaned up areas and would assist with the feedback mechanism which the State Government has put in place to ensure that there is zero tolerance for shanties and illegal structures in Victoria Island and Ikoyi.

“We must support the residents association in helping the government to achieve its aims. We are hopeful that that these vehicles would assist in ensuring a cleaner and safer Victoria Island and Ikoyi as envisioned in the original master plan of the areas”, he added.

The Governor said since the clean-up exercise of Ikoyi and Victoria Island started a couple of months ago, appreciable progress has been made, adding that the government remains focused in ensuring that the area regains its lost glory.

In his response, a member of the Executive Committee of the Victoria Island Ikoyi Residents Association (VIIRA), Dr. Mohammed Salami said the gesture by the State Government was unprecedented in the annals of the history of the State.

He expressed the appreciation of the residents association to the State Government saying the vehicles would be well utilized as the donation is coming very handy at a period when the association was contending with shortage of vehicles for patrol purposes.

Salami added that VIIRA would continue to preoccupy itself with environmental and security issues towards ensuring that it assists the government in delivering its mandate of ensuring the safety of lives and property.

Source: lagosstate.gov.ng