The new Commissioner to the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Arc. Kabir Ahmed Abdullahi has said that all Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in the State that are accessible by water would be opened up for water transportation within the next few months.
Abdullahi stated this in his maiden address to members of staff of the Ministry who officially welcomed him to duty today, stressing that opening up the waterways was crucial to the growth of the State’s economy and overall development of Lagos.
He hinted that more attention will be paid to the protection of the coastline of the State, creation of new Islands and reclamation of the water shores, noting that greater development would be witnessed henceforth.
The Commissioner, who served as Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Urban Development before his present appointment, attributed his new assignment to the doggedness and support of the staff of the Ministry who stood by him while he performed oversight functions at the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development in an acting capacity.
In his words, “I want to appreciate the warm welcome given to me by members of staff of this Ministry. I must add that your hard work and result-oriented nature made this possible”.
“I know how it feels to have denied most of you your weekends all in an attempt to live up to our expectations and bequeath a sustainable legacy to residents of this great State and that’s why I say that the success of today is not mine but yours”, the Commissioner averred.
While maintaining that the result for hard work is more work, Arc. Abdullahi implored members of staff of the Ministry to key into the vision of the State Government in order to actualise its set goals and objectives in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the present administration.
Speaking on behalf of the staff of the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Moruf Olawale Agoro assured the Commissioner that the staff are prepared to continue to support the vision of the State Governor for a Greater Lagos.
Agoro said “We knew what we were able to achieve during your short stay in office with us, specifically how we exceeded the benchmark given to us in the previous year”, adding that all residents of the State should expect more and greater achievements in the year 2020, especially now that the Commissioner has become a full-fledged political head of the Ministry.
Recall that the Ministry of Waterfront Development was established to provide infrastructure and services at Lagos State Waterfronts by harnessing resources to ensure a well-protected environment that is attractive to tourists and residents.