The reduction, according to the governor, saved the government and the state N12 billion in the first quarter of his administration.
Ambode spoke at the first edition of the quarterly Town Hall Meeting at Abesan Estate, Alimosho, where he rendered the account of his stewardship since he resumed on May 29.
The governor, at the meeting, which was attended by participants from Lagos West, said he was determined to be accountable for every revenue and expenditure.
According to him, he reduced the cost of governance through the re-alignment of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and restructuring of government.
He said one of his administration’s first key tasks was to stabilise the state’s finances, which made it embark on financial re-engineering and review of the revenue and expenditure framework.
“This has provided us with more funds to inject into capital projects and the initial funds to establish the Employment Trust Fund, which we promised our youths.
“Today, a major landmark of our administration is the reduction in the cost of governance. We want a lean government with quality service delivery.
The governor explained that in August, his administration approved the release of N11 billion for the payment of arrears of pensions owed since 2010.
“The Lagos State government is proud to declare that it has consistently met its obligations, especially prompt payment of salaries without seeking any bailout from the Federal Government,” Ambode said.
The governor explained that in August, his administration approved the release of N11 billion for the payment of arrears of pensions owed since 2010.
He said his administration had been presenting retirees on the Contributory Pension Scheme their bond certificates and also approved the appointment of four additional Pension Fund Administrators.
“We are presently reviewing our loans with our bankers to restructure them in order to free up funds for further infrastructural development.”
Speaking on the health sector, Ambode said his administration provided 20 mobile intensive care unit ambulances at a cost of N145.240 million deployed in all the state’s ambulance points, bringing to 36 the mobile intensive care unit ambulances.
“We have also provided an additional 26 transport ambulances at the cost of N257.4 million deployed across all our general hospitals.
“We have created ambulance points across the state for easy access to our people. The ambulance service can be reached by calling the Toll-Free Line 112.
“Our administration, in the last three months, has installed 22 power generating sets ranging from 350 –500 KVA as additional back-up sets across the general hospitals at the cost of N270 million to ensure 24-hour power supply.
“In addition, 26 Mobile X-Ray machines, costing N519.656 million, are being installed at all our general hospitals.
“Similarly, we have approved the recruitment of more paramedic staff and special medical coordinators to ensure 24 hours service in our health facilities,” he said.
The governor said the abandoned Ayinke House project had been re-awarded and that the contractor would deliver the project within the next three-six months.
He said expressions of interest for a Lagos Medical Park had been received as “we will enter the phase of the project soon and at the end of this, Lagos State will become a key destination for medical tourism”.
Ambode said what his administration did in the first quarter was to lay down the institutional framework for the smooth running of the government for the next three and half years.
He said: “What we have done can be described as the laying of the foundation on which the service and programmes of this government will be built. You cannot run a four-year marathon at top speed from the onset.
“Like any other well-bred chief executive officer, I have put in place all the ingredients needed to run a successful race.
“We will continue to woo investors to Lagos. We are assisting businesses and creating a conducive environment for these.
Our administration is committed to serve and render good governance.
“However, we need your support and cooperation to enable us deliver on our lofty programmes.
I want to assure you that our programmes are planned and carefully designed to make life easier and better for all our citizens.”
