Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has directed agencies of the state government occupying rented apartments to vacate them, in a move to block lopeholes and conserve scarce resources.
The agencies, according to a memo signed by Folashade Jaji, the state head of service, are to vacate their rented apartments within seven days and re-allign with their relevant main ministries within the state secretariat.
Over 20 agencies of the state government are said to be currently occupying rented apartments, which a source said belong to friends and cronies of people in government. “The cost of running such apartments are often inflated, thus leading to waste of scarce resources,” the source said.
Some of the agencies are Motor Vehicle Administration Agencies (MVAA) situated at Lateef Jakande Road; Lagos Water Regulatory Commission, Allen Junction; Law Reform Commission, Ikeja, Lagos; Lagos State Safety Commission, Magodo, and Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, 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 vacate order contained in a circular No. 072 dated July 24, 2015 is titled, “re-alignment of office accommodation of ministries departments and agencies.”
It reads in part “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 to 3rd August, 2015.”
The affected agencies are to be integrated into the mainstream ministries. It is gathered that the agencies have already been allocated offices in each of the existing parent ministries the Lagos State government uses to drive its policy.
JOSHUA BASSEY
