Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has given a seven day ultimatum to head of government agencies currently occupying rented apartments all over the state to vacate them and locate to the main ministries.
Among the affected agencies are Motor Vehicle Administration Agencies (MVAA) situated at Lateef Jakande Road; Lagos Water Regulatory Commission, Allen Junction; Law Reform Commission, Ikeja; 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 as well as Audit Service Commission among others.
The order to vacate the rented apartments is contained in a circular No. 072 dated July 24, 2015 signed by Head of Service, Mrs. Folasade Jaji and directed to all head of ministries and government agencies. The circular which has the subject, “Re-alignment of office accommodation of ministries departments and agencies”, 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, Governor 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. We gathered that the agencies have already been allocated offices in each of the existing parent ministries which the Lagos State Government uses to drive policy statement.
At least 20 government agencies currently occupy rented apartments which a source said belongs to friends and cronies of people in government. “The cost of running in such apartments are often inflated thus leading to waste of scarce resources”, the source said.
Source: Daily Independent
