Badagry and the greater Lagos train

On Saturday, January 23, 2021, the ‘Greater Lagos’ train of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration berthed in Badagry to herald a new dawn at the historic town.

On that day, Badagry had a feel of the mission of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to transform Lagos into a 21st century economy as he inaugurated the Idale, Badagry, affordable housing scheme consisting of 252 units of two-bedroom bungalows.

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The project, constructed by the state government in conjunction with Echostone Housing Development, Nigeria, was another befitting addition to the existing home stock in the state, especially since the inauguration of the current administration in Lagos State.

The event at the historic town of Badagry was quite important because, the newly commissioned housing scheme is the first-of-its-kind, green Estate, built anywhere in Lagos State with technology that supports housing production within an optimal time frame. It is an eco-friendly housing scheme that is easy to maintain because the design supports energy efficiency in terms of power and water usage.

For Badagry, the beat did not stop there. The beat simply goes on as Governor Sanwo-Olu, in furtherance of his administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, also commissioned, on the same day, the 110-bed Badagry Maternal and Child Care Centre (MCC) equipped by the government to provide Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radiology, Paediatrics, Family Planning, and Emergency Services to residents.

With the commissioning of the Badagry MCC, Governor Sanwo-Olu administration has inaugurated 3 MCCs in his 600 days in office.

It should be stressed that between November 2020, and the period when the facility was activated for operation, it had already delivered healthcare services to over 3,000 outpatients and 600 children and had successfully conducted 49 caesarean deliveries. Thus, the MCC is, no doubt, a good addition to the already existing 21 primary healthcare facilities across the three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the Badagry axis.

He also flagged-off the reconstruction of the popular Hospital Road in Badagry.

The Sanwo-Olu administration is already working on ways to exploit Badagry’s water transportation prospect. An integral part of this process is the construction of a modern jetty terminal at Marina, Badagry.

The government is also improving the quality of public schools in the Badagry axis, as it is doing across the state.

Likewise, to optimally maximize the potential of Badagry as a tourists’ enclave, the Sanwo-Olu administration refurbished and equipped the Badagry Museum, thus turning it into a great monument to behold. The governor has also approved the reconstruction of the popular Agia-Tree where the first Christmas was held.

Badagry’s residents are, however, enjoined to join hands with the government in its bid to transform the axis and other parts of the State. They should ensure that all government’s projects in the zone are protected and well-secured. They are also enjoined to shun acts that could deter the progress of the area and, indeed, that of the whole State.

Ogunbiyi is Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Information, Alausa, Ikeja.