Governor Akinwunni Ambode of Lagos State has issued a 7-day ultimatum to all government agencies occupying rented apartments outside the State Government Secretariat to vacate them and relocate to the main secretariat.

Over 15 government agencies are currently outside the Government Secretariat on rented apartments where they pay millions of naira on monthly basis in the midst of scarce government resources.

The governor took the decision because the costs of running the agencies have become unbearable, thus, ordering them to move back to their main ministries.

The order to vacate the rented apartments is contained in a circular No. 072 dated July 24, 2015 and signed by the 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, the Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has directed that all affected MDAs are to commence relocation to their new offices with immediate effect from 27th July-3rd August, 2015”.

Some of 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; Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Ikeja; Audit Service Commission, Ogba; State Valuation Office, Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Board, Ikeja; Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Office, Ikeja and Audit Service Commission.

The affected agencies, according to the circular are to be integrated into the mainstream ministries as they have been allocated offices in each of the existing parent ministries which the Lagos State Government uses to drive policy statement.