Ambode Leaves Fashola's Marina Residence

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

The new governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode, has said he will not be living in the high-class State House, Marina, where the former governor, Babatunde Fashola, lived for eight years.

The governor speaking at a meeting with permanent secretaries at the weekend said he would stay at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos, so he could resume work early at 8am.

According to Black Box Nigeria, the Ikeja State House was built by the former governor Bola Tinubu and both residences served official and residential purposes.

Ambode said he expected all civil servants to be punctual at all times and resume office at 8am so as to effectively discharge their duties.

He said, “I am advising the public servants to align with my administration. I expect all public servants to also be at their desks by 8:00am so that if I have cause to get in touch with anyone, they would be readily available.”

Ambode further said his administration was determined to continue its public reforms because “you have put us here as servants to serve you and not you serving us. Today we are committed to that creed.

“Moving forward, the Civil Service will be strengthened and made to respond to the needs of all citizens in the same manner quality services are rendered in the private sector.

“My administration is prepared to take the decisions needed to promote merit and professionalism. To restructure where required, eliminate poor Human Resource practices and accelerate the pace of reforms in the spirit of good governance,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ambode is inheriting a debt burden of N418.2 billion accumulated by the immediate past government of Fashola.

The debt, which is accompanied with a repayment plan lasting 40 years plus, is a major increase from the N15 billion Fashola inherited from his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in 2007.