Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state, has made some key appointments to kick start his administration for the next four years.

In a statement released by LASG Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, and published by The Cable, the governor appointed Folasade Jaji, a former head of service in the state, as secretary to the state government.

Jaji, a chemist, had served as the 17th head of service of the state’s public service. She joined the Lagos state civil service on October 27, 1980, at the state judicial service commission before she was deployed to the governor’s office, department of political affairs where she served for two years between 1980 and 1982.

The governor also approved the appointment of six new permanent secretaries with effect from June 1.

The new appointees include Akewusola Adedamola, general manager, new town development authority;
Oludara Okelola, principal of Babs Fafunwa Millenium Senior Grammar School, Education District VI; and Eniayewun Benjamin, medical director of Lagos Island Maternity.

Others are Falugba Yewande, director, admin and human resource, ministry of youth and social development; Erinle Olufolami, principal of Apapa Senior High School, Education District IV; and Osi-Efa Mustapha, director admin and human resource, ministry of home affairs.

According to the statement, the portfolios of the appointees will be announced later.

The governor also appointed Gboyega Akosile, a journalist, as his deputy chief press secretary.

Meanwhile, Gov. Sanwo-Olu, has signed an executive order to address issues of traffic control, potholes and sanitation in the state.

According to a statement issued by Toro Oladapo, director, public affairs in the state ministry of information, “the order is to also ensure the attainment of zero tolerance for environmental abuse, including illegal and indiscriminate dumping of refuse and construction of structures on drainage points and setbacks”.

The governor also ordered the Lagos state public works corporation to commence patching and rehabilitation of bad roads across the state.

He had earlier said he would solve the Apapa gridlock within his first 60 days in office.

“I think we have to make some points about issues that happen around transportation, potholes on our roads, blockages and rest of it, I think its something we need to tackle immediately,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“Lagosians are not going to wait for us any longer to maintain orderliness on our roads hence, I have invited all the Security Chiefs to witness the signing of the Executive Order so that they can hear us and support us in this regard.”

The governor also directed the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to operate a minimum of two shifts by managing traffic until 11pm daily.

He also directed the office of drainage services in the ministry of environment to commence immediate cleaning of all secondary and tertiary drainage systems across the state to ensure the free flow of rainwater during the rainy season.

The governor said the environmental sanitation corps had been directed to address the issues in the executive order by not necessarily arresting people but engaging them in effective communication on the need to ensure compliance with the environmental laws.

“Environmental offenders are not meant to be arrested, but communicate with them; the one that we need to reprimand, let us reprimand, the ones we need to advise, let us advise,” he said.

“The people that need to be reformed, reform them,’’ he said, explaining that it is when all these had been done that the law can be implemented fully.”

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