Press Releases

Better Days Lie Ahead, Fashola Assures Lagosians

Jan 11, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday asserted that better days lie ahead for the people of Lagos in terms of provision of improved infrastructure and services for the people by the present administration.

Governor Fashola spoke during an interactive session, “Focus on Lagos: Strategies for Success” anchored by presenter of CNN’s Inside Africa, Isha Sesay and Adam Roberts, News Editor of the Economist as part of the Economist Conferences with the theme: “Renewing Business Confidence CEO Agenda Nigeria” held at the Federal Palace Hotels, Victoria Island.

According to him, many of the lofty projects being embarked upon by the state would reach its fruition this year with more positive impact.

The Governor said one of the things that stood him in good stead for the job is that he became a Governor after having been an insider in the running of the Government of the state, adding that what would have cost many several years to learn on the job was already at his fingertips.

He said on assumption of office, one of the main pre-occupation of his administration was to reverse the infrastructural deficit of almost 30 years by making infrastructure renewal its first goal.

The Governor added that part of the strategies for achieving this was in dedicating 60 percent of the State budget to infrastructure renewal and setting strict guidelines which encompassed setting of timelines and deadlines on all policies and programmes which must be met.

Governor Fashola informed that the State Government has recorded remarkable success in its tax drive by adopting an advocacy programme which preached the need for everyone to contribute to the commonwealth by paying their taxes as at when due.

He reiterated that in addition to the fact that the campaign was prosecuted on moral grounds, the administration’s tax system was also simplified with Government asking the people to voluntarily assess themselves.

On the issue of resistance to the payment of taxes, Governor Fashola said if there are any forms of resistance, it is in terms of pessimism of the people about the efficiency of the system and about past broken promises.

Governor Fashola explained that with the Lagos example, it is very clear that the Nigerian cause is not a hopeless one, adding that what it really needs is that if as a people Nigerians change what they do not like of belief in, things would get better.

On his re-election in 2011, Governor Fashola said no decision has been made yet on that by the Action Congress, party on whose platform he was elected. He also explained dded that the National Assembly is yet to complete deliberations on the reforms for the elections.

While responding to a question on the Independent Power Generation, Governor Fashola told the audience that the first power generation programme in the country was started in Lagos was started by his predecessor in office, but left the government with its fingers burnt.

He emphasized that in addition to the fact that the electricity generated was never solely dedicated to Lagos State, the state is still paying heavily for the initiative, adding that the Government is studying the reforms to identify areas where it could get involved.

He said currently, the Government is working on providing 12.5 megawatts of Independent electricity supply for its water supply scheme so that it can bring about 300 percent increase in water supply when functional.

The Governor also said the state has pioneered in partnering with a foreign company on local production of power transformers, feeder pillars and cables which would assist in distributing electricity when it is generated.

While agreeing that the impact of power generation could be substantial in production cost, Governor Fashola said he recently went on a tour of some small scale industries in Oshodi and he discovered from his interactions with the operators that power contributes only about seven to ten percent of the production cost of some of the small companies.

He disclosed that by the end of 2010, about 25 kilometres of the Lekki- Epe Express Way would have been completed promising that the road would be completed by 2011.

Governor Fashola also informed that the Itire-Okota Link Bridge, Funsho Willimas Avenue and Igbo Elerin road would be completed in 2010, just as he disclosed that the light rail design has been completed and actual construction will start between March and April 2010.

He said many jetties are at various stages of completion across the state while the state has already dredged 20 navigable water ways for ferries and water transportation adding that for the health care facilities, three of the Maternal Child Care Centers are ready and only being test run while the remaining six are at various completion stages.

The Governor said the State is presently shortlisting credible organizations that would operate the ferry services and ensure that the government develops a standardization of the craft models that people can travel in as it does not want to compromise on safety.

On why government is paying attention to provision of transportation instead of eradicating poverty, Governor Fashola said there is a linkage between providing a reliable transportation to the people and eliminating situations that promote poverty.

According to him, it is impossible to solve the problem of poverty without addressing transportation as a man who is engaged and spends a fortune in commuting between his home and work is still a poor man.

The Governor said other issues like population control will determine whether the resources of the state can support the population or if it outstrips it.

Governor Fashola while justifying the need to identify and protect the locations of cables laid across the state, said the State through the Lagos Infrastructure Maintenance and Renewal Agency (LASIMRA) is asking telecom operators in the state to supply their work plans so that the state can work on it with its contractors to avoid incidences of cable cutting during construction.

On how the Government intends to finance the several projects it has embarked upon, Governor Fashola said it would be achieved through public expenditure and public private partnerships.

He asserted that no nation can solely finance its people’s needs without recourse to private capital from private people adding that several people still want to invest in the Lagos economy as he has initialed some agreements in the last 48 hours to this effect.

On the branding of Nigeria as a terrorist state following the Christmas Day failed attack by a Nigerian aboard a United States bound plane, Governor Fashola said he personally beliefs the conclusions were very hasty and judgmental as the activities of a young man who barely understood the tenets of what he did should not guide the relationship with a country of 140 million people.

Asked what effect it would have for the Nigerian aviation industry, Governor Fashola said most of the foreign airlines owe their sustenance to Nigerians who patronize them massively, adding that if Nigerians stop flying, the foreign economies would not only take serious bashing but would also lead to the development of the economy.

On comparison between him and former Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Fashola said they are two different people who belief in the same goal.

While responding to a question on measures put in place to protect businesses, Governor Fashola said the Nigerian polity is a lot more stable now than it was before, hinging the fact on a continuity of the democratic learning process which the country enjoys, saying every potential businessman must be ready to take risks.

Responding to a question on the adoption of solar energy as an alternative source of energy for the state, Governor Fashola said while it is practically impossible to use Solar energy to solely power industries and manufacturing concerns, he urged that a deep reflection be made on what effect the wholesome adoption of solar energy would have on the African continent in about a Century from now.

Governor Fashola who argued that corruption is not synonymous with Africa or Nigeria, stressed that the current global crisis was precipitated by insider abuses and corruption in the developed world, adding that the prominence it gets in Africa depends on who is making the judgment.

He stressed that the allowances scandal that broke out recently in the United Kingdom was a clear case of corruption which has shown that in some countries, the application of the law on corruption has been symbolic rather than curative.

The Governor said the sustained onslaught by the state on crime has resulted in crime level reducing by 79.9 percent, “because the state Government sees criminals as competitors who must be outrun and outspent”, informing that work on the State Security centre is nearing completion.

He said in furtherance of the belief of the State Government that desperate situations lead people to commit crime, it has invested in sports by taking the young ones off the streets and also using micro finance to create wealth and allow people to learn new skills.

Governor Fashola said as at the last count, over 20, 000 people have benefitted from the micro credit finance of the State which according to him has also created over 150,000 jobs.

On allegations that Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officials brutalize members of the public, Governor Fashola said no public officer has the right to brutalise members of the public in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities.

He said in instances where such infractions have been confirmed, government usually takes it upon itself, through the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, to prosecute the erring public officials to serve as a deterrent.

While emphasizing that Government will continue to train and retrain the KAI officials on the need to treat members of the public with respect, he urged members of the public to also show love, compassion and respect for the public officials.

He said with a demonstration of highest level of diplomacy to the KAI officials on their duty posts, every member of the public will get the beat from them.

Also present at the session were the Minister of State for petroleum maters, Mr Odein Ajumogobia and Minister of State for Finance, Mr Remi Babalola.