₦airaland Forum

In all, there were so many takeaways from the tour, but two actually stand out as profound. One, for 16 years, the PDP whose governors are complaining of no federal presence in their respective states was in power. Not only that, it was an era the nation had a lot of money to play around with yet with nothing to show for it.
It is therefore a sad irony that the governors had the temerity to complain to an APC government that is barely two years in office of lack of federal presence. That’s a lesson, of course, for the voting population on the need to make a wise choice whenever there are crucial elections.

The second outstanding takeaway is that, like a majority of the people had acknowledged, there is a minister in the person of Fashola in whom they all have unflinching confidence would deliver. Not one person doubted the fact that in spite of the challenges the nation generally faces at this time of the hard biting recession that Fashola would perform by living true to type as an accomplished administrator.

This was however given fillip to by a majority of staff of the ministry who hinted that it was the first time a minister would take up such a tiring task, even when they all concurred that it was the only way to ascertaining the facts on the ground. Some of the controllers who spoke off-the-record said the closest they have had was a minister randomly visiting a construction site of interest and perhaps, not too far from there is another federal government project he would be persuaded to visit.

Evidently, the tour had also afforded Fashola to see and assess some of the controllers in the different states. There is no doubting the fact that from the interactions witnessed on the bus, some controllers are going to lose their jobs, if not outright but redeployed. They displayed poor knowledge of their states as well as a very bad understanding of the dimensions of the jobs under their care.

Imagine a controller describing a distance of about three kilometres as 700 meters? That was too elementary to be condoned by anyone. What about a controller that was not interested in a court case that had stalled the progress work on a certain road because he thought it was not within his purview? Some do not even know the names of the areas the roads are sited.

Certainly, the trip was an eye-opener and would go a long way to help the minister properly navigate the works in his three-in-one ministry with respect to the challenges therein. There is no doubt that it was a tiring driving experience that ran late into the nights each day of the tour, Fashola did not even show signs that he was tired. Although completely grey-headed, the minister boasted such energy that would compete with a 20-year old. Importantly, he is determined to succeed on his assignment, notwithstanding the man-made obstacles on his way.


http://lagosindicator.com.ng/2017/03/07/tiring-drive-tireless-fashola/

For three consecutive days, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing and former Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, crisscrossed the six states in the South-south geo-political zone, assessing the state of the roads and monitoring progress reports both in the works and the housing sectors. Olawale Olaleye reports

“If you noticed, for the first 20 minutes, I wasn’t talking to anyone. I was trying to locate myself on the map for a clearer picture of what I’d studied of the roads. With this job, you must get your geography right. I haven’t been here before, but I had studied the map and seen these locations. So, I was just making sure that what I studied on the map is the same as I go through the locations,” said Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing as he got off his tour bus for a short break at Odukpani junction, bordering Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, after the first five hours of driving around.

With attention to details and practical thoroughness on the job, a confident Fashola approaches his job with such dexterity that could only attest to the fact that he is indeed a policymaker and administrator. He refuses to be seen as superhuman but certain he would deliver on his assignments with minimum expectations, not because it is automatic but because he has been able to identify that the core of the problems standing in his way at the ministry are human-related. And if it is that, “then we are on our way,” he was quick to say.

Six states in three days on the roads – Nigerian roads – was no fun but a grueling experience, not because the roads are completely bad but the discomfort of sitting for hours in the bus. Save for the amity that characterised the mood on the bus, it was no less a very tough call. With state and regional controllers of Works and Housing as well as his personal staff on board, Fashola wanted to personally see firsthand, the roads and also monitor the progress reports.

He specifically wanted to see the abandoned roads, those still under construction and those that require being re-awarded for whatever reasons. Besides, he was of the view that once contractors know that there is a minister, who does not mind the pains that comes with periodic monitoring of progress on the sites, they would sit up and do their work, for as long as they are being mobilised.

Takeoff point was Calabar, in Cross River State, on Thursday, February 16. Ordinarily, what the minister does is to visit the construction sites first and then, pays a courtesy call on the governors of each state, where he presents them with progress report and also sues for collaboration between the states and the federal government agents in the state.

But that approach varied on this particular trip, especially for reasons of time management. So, the Calabar tour started with a courtesy call on the governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, who was however represented by his deputy, Prof. Evara Esu. The minister reiterated to Professor Esu that either the ministry or its representatives is not in competition with the state government but to help them achieve their set objectives within the frame work of the constitution.

The Controller of works in the state shed light on the things the ministry was doing in the state. He told the gathering of state executives and works ministry that the state had benefitted immensely from the federal government. He said about four major projects were ongoing in the state and also acknowledged that the state government had been cooperative in the overall interest of the people.

But the deputy governor, who almost disputed some of the claims by the controller, commended Fashola and described him as powerful super minister, in whom the government and people of Cross River believed. He said the minister deserved the appointment if his record of hard work, integrity and fairness in Lagos was anything to go by. He urged the minister to check out the facts reeled out by the controller as he was not comfortable with some of his claims, and that he would have preferred that the minister had gone round before paying a courtesy call.
While complaining about lack of federal government presence in the state, he expressed confidence that with Fashola in the all-important ministry, all would be well. He said the minister should leave the “Fashola Signature” in Cross River the way he did in Lagos, saying: “We are happy you are there and we have faith in you,” he said.

At 11am, the courtesy call at the Cross River Government House was over and Fashola’s convoy left straight to inspect the roads already scheduled. The roads include the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja road, sections one and two; Calabar-Ugep-Katsina Ala road in Benue/Cross River State and Calabar-Odupkani junction-Itu road, which is under procurement.

At each of the stops, Fashola met with the contractors, all of whom were ready for him with details of the progress report. A majority of the contractors in this axis complained about funding but were willing to remain on site for as long as they get funded. The minister promised regular mobilization and in some instances, promised to make up for deficit in some of the advancement given by the previous government.

From here, the convoy left for Akwa Ibom State. On his way to the state, the minister took notice of some destruction of property that lined up the two sides of the road over alleged boundary disputes between communities in the state, by a place called Itu. From his reaction, the sight of the destruction worried Fashola and hoped government had intervened.

Arriving Uyo, the capital city, the minister left straight for the government house, but like Cross River, met with the deputy governor of the state, Mr. Moses Frank Ekpo. Here, the deputy governor was also said to have complained about the state of federal roads in the state (as journalists were not allowed in) and was hopeful the minister would make a big difference. The meeting didn’t take long and from here, the minister retired for the day.

On day two, Friday, February 17, the minister started his day early, but it was almost ruined by the attitudinal disposition of the officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), for constantly blairing their siren, which unfortunately wasn’t Fashola’s style since his days as governor in Lagos. The minister immediately called their boss and complained about their “indiscipline on the road and harassment of other road users.” That was resolved as the minister wanted to move through the towns and cities unnoticed. The tour continued.
The first port of call was the inspection of Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road in Akwa Ibom, and from there, left for Ikot Ekpene-Aba- Port Harcourt road in Akwa Ibom State before leaving for Enugu-Port Harcourt road, all undergoing rehabilitation. However, the minister made a dramatic stop at Umuokpo road in Obingwa local government area of Abia State, bordering Akwa Ibom.

The road was in total decrepit and was said to have constituted huge nuisance for many years. It was as a result of this that a resident, one Chief Micah Ohajuoke, stepped up to the minister and told him the history of the road and how it had cut them off from the adjoining communities. The minister promised the road would be attended to and immediately appointed the man, the unofficial staff to help monitor the progress on the road the moment work starts. They exchanged telephone numbers and the minister left.

At the end of this phase of the tour, the minister spoke on the need to continually emphasise the importance of infrastructure to the lives of the people, adding that infrastructure is not an end but a means to an end. According to him, the road to recovery from recession and job creation is infrastructure building and improvement.

A majority of the contractors also spoke on how the construction works have so far had positive effects on the economy, especially in the region of employment, all of whom are working with them on site in different capacity like labourers, laboratory staff and site engineer among others.

Bayelsa State was the next to visit and straight to the Governor’s office. Governor Seriake Dickson was personally on hand to receive the minister and his team and the state was the most organised to receive the entourage of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

After the state’s controllers of Works and Housing laid the template on what has been going on in the state, Fashola took off from there. The minister told the governor that federal projects in the state had not been funded over the years but assured them that the President Muhammadu Buhari government was determined to get the projects going and connect them to the contiguous states. “We will take control of the budget and ensure that funding is upheld,” he assured the governor.

While responding, Dickson, who is known for always talking his way through, didn’t mince words about selling the state to the minister and his team. “Until you have visited Bayelsa, you haven’t quite visited the Niger Delta because all the issues are present here,” he said. The governor, who officially welcomed the minister on his first visit ever to the state, said “If there is any minister I’d love to bring here, it is you. You did well in Lagos and we have confidence in you with experience and track record.

“We are hopeful that some of these issues will be addressed. The federal government has no footprint here. The whole of Bayelsa is below the sea level and it costs so much to build here. We are available for collaboration. Nigeria left Bayelsa behind; Nigeria left Niger Delta behind and we’ll need to cooperate to get it back,” he said, adding that the three senatorial roads in the state are its main challenge.

“I am looking forward to working with you closely on power to see how we can convert our abundant gas resources to power. The state has a lot of housing issues. There’s huge housing deficit. We will give the controller all necessary supports and hold regular meetings to resolve all outstanding issues. We are looking forward to working closely with you. You have our support and we’ll collaborate with you. Together we have the capacity to conquer.”

Immediately after the meeting, Fashola inspected the construction of Yenegoa-Okaki-Kolo road and continued the journey to River State, Government House, where the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Ipalibo Banigo, had been waiting since the afternoon for the minister, who however arrived in town with his team at about 8.18pm from Bayelsa.

Since a template had been created already on the courtesy calls, Fashola immediately cut to the chase soon after the both the controllers of Works and Housing gave their progress reports. The minister reiterated the need for government to work closely with the controllers because “they are our ambassadors here. They are to support and not compete with you. We are committed to the development and growth of this state.

“The controllers are our ambassadors and I plead that necessary courtesies be extended to them,” he reiterated, even as he asked for a waiver in the processes for the lands to be acquired for building the federal government affordable houses and a reduction in the cost payable, so that the project can break even, “otherwise the cost will be passed on to the people.”

He spoke on the East West road already taken over by the ministry of Niger Delta through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) but added that: “We are concerned and determined to intervene too.”
He described power as very defining to the economies of the states but had remained a major challenge. “This is the time for everyone to come together. The issue of safety and security in the Niger Delta should be given more attention for development to fully return to the Niger Delta,” he added.

On her part, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, recalled that the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo was around a few days before the minister came and that after meeting with Governor Nyesome Wike, the governor expressed his resolve to work with the federal government. “We’ve always guarded federal assets here,” she said, adding that there had not been cases of vandalism of federal assets in the state, an affirmation of that assertion.

“It’s our duty that our people get the service they deserve from the federal government; it’s our responsibility to ensure safety and security of the place and people,” she said, noting for the record that “We have taken notes of all that you have put across. We’ll always work closely with the controllers too.”

On the issue of land and the request for waiver as well as reduction in the cost payable by the federal government, she bluntly said “We’ve not had very pleasant experience in time past but we will look into this request again.” On this note, the day two tour ended as the minister and his team retired for the day.

Day three and the final phase of the tour started with an inspection of the construction of the Bodo-Bonny road with bridge across the Opobo channel in Rivers State. It is the only bridge linking Bonny Island to the people of Ogoni and by extension, the rest of the country. Unfortunately, has not been completed, despite the importance of the place which is the heartland of gas production by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG). Yet, goods and persons are conveyed either through the waters or by choppers.

The minister was particularly unhappy about the state of the construction, saying stories of abandoned projects were the order of the day during the period the nation had money. “What we inherited was an abandoned car but we will get it to start.”

Although a single lane bridge, which was abandoned by the previous government in spite of its importance to the country, Fashola contended that “any forward-looking government must be able to conceive projects beyond the tenure of their administration. A single lane bridge may not be ideal anymore for this place, and so, while we continue with this, we are also considering expansion. But this project is important because once this bridge is done, expansion will come, businesses will spring up, industries will rise and life will generally return to this place.”

Suffice it to say that the minister spoke about how Senator Magnus Abe, representing Rivers South East on the platform of the All progressives Congress (APC), had consistently disturbed and drew his attention to a majority of the roads, not just in his senatorial district but across the state.

Fashola left the site of the Bodo-Bonny Bridge immediately for Kiama, Delta State border, from where he headed straight to the Warri-Sapele emergency repairs. He also inspected the dualisation of the Sapele-Ewu road (Section 1) and Sapele-Agbor, both of which are being done by CGC. But Fashola could not stop by at the Government House for a courtesy call as both the governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro were not in town, apparently on duties outside the state.

Fashola was however met on the site of the Sapele-Ewu-Agbor road by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, an old classmate of his, who took the project very seriously and pledged support to work with the minister on the successful completion of the road. But the minister also hinted that it was Hon. Halims Agoda, who first brought the state of the road to his attention, with Omo-Agege following up, albeit in collective interest.
[b]The minister promised some of the youths who had come to the site to protest the state of the road that it was already a done dea[/b]l, especially with his friend now assigned as the unofficial monitoring agent for the road. He said the social and economic importance of the road was not lost on him and would ensure that it was brought back to shape. The road was kicked off for construction in 2014 by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, apparently for election purposes but left in its decrepit state immediately the PDP lost.

Departing Asaba, the minister headed straight to his final port of call, Edo State, where he inspected the ongoing dualisation of the Lokoja-Benin road, Section IV and the Ehor-Benin road being handled by RCC Nigeria Limited. It was while on the site of the construction that the state’s deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu came around and met with the minister. There, the deputy governor did further briefing on the road that was already nearing completion, while the minister pledged consistent and necessary support for the benefit of the people.

Shaibu also asked to take the minister to a section of the road that had almost caved in as a result of erosion. The place had already been cordoned off. But the minister, after seeing the frightening sight and the danger it posed, immediately called for urgent intervention “because this is an emergency”. From the scene, he left for the airport, where he finally returned to base in Abuja. But while riding on the bus together, the deputy governor made him to speak to the governor, Godwin Obaseki, to acknowledge his presence in the state, with a promise by the minister to come back sometime soon.

Obviously, these guys are very ignorant of how Power generation and distribution works in the country.

Resign my foot.

Wow.

This part cracked me up

He was known to matriculate

I'm sure they mis heard it as _masturbate

OlujobaSamuel:
you mean there is no form of fast-track except for lasg to wait for about a year plus? moreover, no correlation between the road and ogun state that should stop the approval.
AkwaIbom(Akpabio) did ikot ekpene road down to Abia boundary with the state, ditto for the one at Itu linking CrossRiver, yet the portion of that of Abia and CrossRiver was an eyesore, are you now telling us that Akwaibom had to wait for the other two states to approve the project?
On the lodge, how long does a security clearance take before you access a building? haba, fear God now, your statement is more political than logical.
If you have no clearance despite the presidential order, i think the right thing to have done is to write the president.
On survey plan and the likes, na FEC wan do survey for your ministry, was there no existing survey of the roads and lodge, why not work with that, alter that which needs to be altered. Daddy Fashola, you are not making sense sir.

Have you worked before in the ministry or in the government so you can explain to us how Fashola is not making sense?

Everything written in the response is very clear and what was highlighted is the big issue we have in the country - a long list of processes to follow before something can be done.

If Fashola didnt follow due process and goes ahead to do things illegally, when the news leak, same folks like you would come out and call for his head as a fake lawyer who cant follow due process.

The article stated that the Road which the LASG wants has a link with Ogun state. Are you in a better position or do you know more than the minister to say that the road has no correlation with Ogun state?

On the lodge, the minister said they are waiting for security clearance and that is under the office of the President. Why not ask the security operatives what is the cause for the delay or are you expecting Fashola to force their hands.

In the article, it was stated the Minister and Governor had a discussion where Fashola explained the delays and made it clear to him he'll do his best to secure the approval, why would the Governor now go to the press to stoke unnecessary tension?

It is not fair, seriously. Ambode didnt try here at all.

It was totally unfair for Ambode to have gone to the press to make such claims that Fashola's ministry is frustrating him. Ambode is close to the vice president. He could have just called a meeting between themselves to resolve the matter instead of stoking unnecessary tension.

This present FG has done so much for Ambode within a shortwhile, something Fashola never enjoyed while he was in power as he was frustrated by the then FG led by GEJ.

vatiqan:
Hope Sarrki the slowpoke is watching TVC, right now? I'll be back.

What's happening on TVC?

989900:
Lasgidi's 'Red line', the absolute money making machine!

I really dont know what is delaying the Lagos metro rail from starting especially the Blue line. It's so disappointing.

Eko o ni baje ooo

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday unveiled plans by his administration to transform some landmark areas in the Marina and Onikan axis of the State into a world class one-stop recreation and tourism centre.

The Governor, who spoke at the Eko Hotels and Suites at the presentation of Museum Possibilities as well as the unveiling of the design for a new world class Museum, also disclosed that the State Government will soon commence the construction of a brand new contemporary Museum in the State as an integral part of its overall strategy to become self-sufficient and secure the future prosperity of the State.

He lamented that despite the fact that Nigeria is blessed with very rich culture and heritage, the culture and traditions upon which the social institutions and interactions are built have been neglected, saying youths do not have a strong appreciation of the nation’s history over the years.

He said his administration decided to lead the process that would deliver a new world class Museum that would showcase the priceless treasures of Nigeria, adding that the project will be funded by the State Government and other well-meaning donors, interested organisations and individuals.

“Every society must cherish its historical antecedents because they serve as source of inspiration for succeeding generations to discover, appreciate and take pride in their identity. It has become very imperative that we take a step back and revisit our history. It has become important that we renew efforts to preserve and protect our history and historical artefacts.

“This project will serve generations of Nigerians now and in the future. Our plan is to harness the potentials in our rich cultural heritage to drive tourism in Lagos State,” Governor Ambode said.

He said aside the plans for the new museum, the State Government had already taken the project to revive the Museum in Onikan, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture especially the Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Explaining the plans to transform the Onikan and Marina axis to a world class tourism and entertainment hub, Governor Ambode said that the Presidential Lodge, Marina which was recently handed over to the State by President Muhammadu Buhari, would be redeveloped into the Lagos Heritage Centre for Leadership.

“In addition, the Lagos House also in Marina will be transformed into the Lagos Historical Centre. The JK Randle Arcade will be remodeled into a world class recreation/tourism centre. The New Museum will complement and be an important part of the structures being planned for this axis. We intend to regenerate this axis and the museum into an iconic structure that will invoke deep sense of pride in all Nigerians.

“This is the new possibility that is being presented to all stakeholders in the tourism sector and all Nigerians. On our part, our commitment is unshaken and we are eager to make this dream a reality within the shortest possible time. Given the mega city status of our State, we believe this is the right way to go in order to optimally harness the State’s tourism potentials for wealth creation and sustainable growth,” the Governor said.

Governor Ambode, while also thanking President Buhari for the fatherly role he has played on behalf of the nation in the partnership, expressed confidence that through the effort, the Government would realise the huge possibilities that flow from the preservation and showcasing the nation’s cultural heritage to the world.

Also speaking, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed commended the State Government’s effort to create an enabling environment for tourism and the creative industry to thrive especially in the areas of security, light infrastructure and transportation.

He said the Federal Government has also set up a Presidential Special Committee of E-Business to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria, especially in the area of visa issuance, so as to encourage investors, tourists and visitors coming into the country.

Among those who graced the occasion include the Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu I, Obi f of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Senator Ben Murray Bruce, Mr. Guy Bruce, veteran art aficionado, Mr. Bruce Onobrakpeya, art collector extraordinaire, Omoba Yemisi Shyllon, stakeholders in the creative industry, members of the diplomatic corp among others.

http://akinwunmiambode.com/lagos-state-government-moves-to-transform-onikan-marina-axis-to-world-class-tourism-hub/

http://akinwunmiambode.com/we-will-deliver-lagos-ibadan-rail-project-by-december-2018/

Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday said that the Federal Government was committed to delivering a fast and efficient rail service system between Lagos and Ibadan within a projected time frame of December 2018.

Osinbajo, who spoke at the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Segment II Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project with Extension to Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, held at the Nigerian Railway Corporation compound, Ebute-metta, recalled that President Buhari, during his visit to China in January 2016, reopened negotiation on the Chinese support for the project under the Lagos-Kano modernization project.

He said the ground breaking ceremony marked the commencement of the government’s plan to move speedily to improve transport links with Lagos, the national economic nerve centre and major port to other state capital across the country.

“An active and vibrant railway system confers many benefits on the society. Our ultimate goal is to restore a railway using culture for both commercial and personal transportation. We are confident that the national rail project will create up to half a million jobs and facilitate the movement of up to 3.2 million tonnes of cargo per annum.

“It will also reduce the burden on national high ways, thus reducing deterioration of the road networks and increasing the life span of our roads. Railway network will support efforts to diversify the economy and enhance our export potentials. Just as several of our cities became known as railway towns in the past we expect to boost economic activities within the railway lines that will eventually cut across the entire country,” Osinbajo said.

In his goodwill message, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said that the proposed extension of the Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project would go a long way to open up the economy of the South West region as well as facilitate regional integration and growth.

He said the project also marked a new dawn in the transformation of the nation’s transport infrastructure, especially for the South West region.

Expressing delight that the take-off had become a reality, the Governor said aside boosting regional integration, the agricultural sector would receive the long awaited boost as the rail line will be a fast and convenient means of transporting farm produce from the hinterland to the city thereby increasing the economies of the States.

He said: “A direct benefit of this project is that containers and goods from the Apapa Port will now be transported by rail thereby reducing the number of trailers and other heavy duty vehicles on our roads.

“A direct consequence of this project would be less productive man hours wasted on the roads due to traffic gridlock and bad roads due to heavy duty vehicles. In addition, we expect government to expend fewer resources on road repair and maintenance once the rail line takes off and reduce the pressure of articulated vehicles on our roads.”

While thanking President Buhari for approving the Right of Way for the proposed Red Line Light Rail Project by his administration, Governor Ambode also implored the Nigeria Railway Cooperation to cooperate with the State Government during the construction of the Red Line.

“We thank the Federal Government of Nigeria under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for prioritizing this landmark project which will greatly complement our efforts to deliver a transport system that is befitting of a modern city state. It is also important to note that the Lagos Red Line rail will share the same corridor and Right Of Way with the Lagos-Abeokuta-Ibadan Rail Line.

“We thank the Federal Government for grating approval for the Right of Way for the Red Line. I want to use this opportunity to implore the Federal Government particularly the Nigeria Railway Corporation to cooperate with us during the construction of the Red Line as we work with them to make the Lagos Abeokuta Rail a big success,” Governor Ambode said.

Earlier, Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, said on assumption of office, President Muhammadu Buhari prioritised the completion of rail projects across the country and challenged the Ministry to hit the ground running to ensure that the project is delivered in record time.

The ceremony was witnessed by several dignitaries including the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, his Oyo State counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, members of the Federal Executive Council, members of the State Executive Council, members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional rulers, stakeholders in the transport industry, among others.

Alphasoar:
you sound pained.

Did you check the date I made that post?

Alphasoar:
Tell me where is paining you na!

Paining ke? Where did I mention pain?

Lmao. Op was looking for support here but she didn't bargain for this back and forth.

SalamRushdie:
You can never say sha

Well, nothing is impossible.

During Fashola's era, he tried to get GEJ's administration to hand over the facility to LASG, the sports ministry under GEJ politicised the whole thing sadly.

But I believe once LASG takes ownership and renovation work begins, it wont be possible for any successive FG to revoke LASG ownership.

He also appealed to Governor Ambode to revamp the Stationary Stores Football Club of Lagos.



I think the LASG shouldn't take up any football club. They could rather revive the club and sell it to an investor.

SalamRushdie:
So the minister of sports is saying he can no longer handle just two stadia in the country ..Abuja is moribound so is Lagos ..Good move by Ambode buy I suggest the state govt move to buy it before fixing in it due to the instability of federal govts and decision changes

Do you think any federal government after this would take back the stadium from LASG?

Dalung visits Ambode in Lagos state governments house

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday declared the readiness of the State Government to take over the Surulere National Stadium from the Federal Government and transform the facility from its present deplorable condition to a world class sporting centre.

Speaking after embarking on an extensive inspection tour of the facilities in the Stadium alongside the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung; Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick and other top government functionaries, Governor Ambode said it was unfortunate how things had degenerated, but expressed preparedness to hit the ground running towards restoring the old glory of the Stadium once officially handed over to the State.



The Governor, who recalled how enthusiastic and interesting it was for people in the past to visit the Surulere Stadium even with their families to watch matches and catch fun among others, said repositioning the Stadium would not only help to bring about layers of employment but that it would also facilitate family bonding.

He said: “This visit is very historic. I recall that during our campaign, we promised that we are going to use tourism, entertainment and arts and sports to drive youth employment as well as drive excellence. So, this is just one chapter in that roadmap to growing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Lagos.

“With the state of affairs here, we cannot fold our arms and just leave this monument to just waste away. The last match that was played here was about fifteen years ago but the truth is this, the inner key to youth empowerment and youth employment is actually in re-establishing this edifice to its real world class standard,” he said.

The Governor thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for graciously approving that the Ahmadu Bello Stadium be given to Kaduna State as well as Enugu Stadium and Calabar Stadium be given to Enugu and Akwa Ibom State Governments respectively.

“What we ask for in Lagos is not as if we are being aggressive, we just think that we need to stand up for leadership here and take over the National Stadium,” the Governor said.

The Governor also commended the Sports Minister for spearheading the move to handover the Stadium to Lagos State and expressed optimism that the journey which had started would eventually lead to a formal pronouncement.

He said aside the fact that the State Government was already planning to construct five stadia in the five administrative divisions of the State to grow sports, the government also has a functional agency in charge of facility management, assuring that the Surulere Stadium would be properly and efficiently managed once handed over to the State.

Earlier, Dalung lamented the dilapidated condition of the Stadium which he described as a national disaster, just as he called for serious and comprehensive action to reposition the Stadium and return it to its pride of place.

While expressing confidence in the ability of the State Government to transform it, Dalung specially thanked Governor Ambode for his interest and commitment to the success of the move to reposition the Stadium.

“We have gone round and we have seen the edifice in a sorry state. Whatever we can do to arrest the situation, we must do it. In my village, there is an adage, which says once there is fire disaster, there is no choice of liquid and any liquid that can contribute to extinguish the fire, must be mobilized including liquor. But today, we have a disaster and we must do everything possible to extinguish it.

“I want to thank the Governor for finding time to come. I have received what I can call football gossip from football federation that if the Surulere Stadium is handed over to Lagos and renovated in six months, the next match of Nigeria against Zambia would be played here,” the Minister said.

He also appealed to Governor Ambode to revamp the Stationary Stores Football Club of Lagos.

Some of the facilities inspected at the Stadium include the Molade Okoya Tennis Hall, 3000 Capacity Multi-Purpose Indoor Sports Hall, Beach Soccer Pitch, Synthetic Football Pitch and the 38,000 Capacity Main Bowl Football Field

sarrki:
Osin baba

Remove fayemi and babachir from the cabinet

Bring in osho baba and Donald duke

Why Fayemi?

Nice read. I wish the Op could just space things up a bit. Like paragraphs.

So that it can be easily shared and clear to the eyes.

The lady though in the pic. Very yummy

Hello NL fam, can you please take few seconds to suggest what can possibly be given to ones' parent on their anniversary.

Something nice and also affordable (for a student).

I've googled for suggestions but the posts that have come up are targeted to the foreign audience.

And I know there is going to be a difference in taste in what an African parent would accept as a gift compared to the whites. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks so much.

Boss Seun and Lalasticlala, do you have any suggestions? What can you give your parent on their anniversary?

FakoMaybach1:
Of course they shared lagos to their cronies, the same way they were sold before i am sure more licensees can be sold tooo..There is nothing the govt cannot achieve if it wishes to
Are you now saying that Nigerians have been sold to these companies and we must patronize them, where is the free market? believe me they will loose woefully in court if the govt decides to further un-bundle power distribution.
i only proffered a solution and i listed the advantages, even when Nepa was sold people went to court but it did not stop the govt f the day

If you are comfortable with the way things are then i am beginning to suspect you

Lol. There is nothing the government cannot do, you say?

If this same government flouts court ruling, you'll be the first to say the government doesn't respect the rule of law!

The government has a contract to honour and revoking that contract would eventually hurt we the masses that the government wants to protect.

Is it not we same masses that was against subsidy removal which the governments intention was to protect us?

Are you aware that these discos have invested a lot, have employed several families and also are in debts. You think the government can just come in and make drastic changes without the discos putting up a fight.

Do you also know it can send a wrong signal to willing investors that due to political instability in the nation, contracts can easily be revoked by another government?

This is what Fash is trying to avoid while at the same time making efforts to increase power capacity.

The best option here is to go the way @Ovamboland suggested. That's something similar to what the LASG did under Fashola and Ambode wants to improve on.

And to your last statement, that was totally uncalled for. Cant you respect or entertain diverse opinions? We would all learn better that way.

Thanks sir.

Bro, how do you mean that new DISCOS should be introduced because it seems it's either you or i that is confused about how this power privatisation works but I am willing to know better.

I will take Lagos for instance. The two DISCOS I know of there Eko distribution company and Ikeja distribution company has an area that has been sold to them to serve.

Therefore, you cant introduce or bring or give a license to another disco to serve an area that has already been given to either of the discos, else they'll go to court to stop it.

Now how should Fash go about giving new licenses to investors to serve those areas already sold to EDC so that according to you, there'll be healthy competition?

Thanks.

do4luv14:
can you imagine,
its jst lik yestaday he Ws boasting DAT with in 3months he will fix our power problem, chaii

Stop the lie. When did he ever say that?

Lumos from Harry potter?

thewarrior72:
^^
Keep deluding yourself.....smh

You're filled with so much hate to people who don't care or haven't done anything wrong to you and yet you call yourself a Christian. Smh

thewarrior72:
^^
Stop crying already. No reasonable igbo girl will touch a yoruba muslim man with a ten feet pole, talkless of marrying him. And no igbo parents will ever allow their daughter to marry a yoruba muslim man.

But my bae's parents are already aware about me and their daughter and they've not objected our relationship.

Onechancearmy:
She must have been really desperate otherwise she would never have lowered her standards.

Eyaa! You must really be pained and miserable.

We've been together since 2011 and when we finally marry, I would post our wedding pics here on NL. I hope you'll be active by then.

Lilimax:
You go fear responses
Nigerians got no chill

My take, Hausa marriage to non-tribe is not yet prevalent ...

Igbo versus Yoruba wedding is becoming a weekly affair most especially the Christian Yorubas.
But as for the Yoruba Moslem versus Igbo wedding is still a no-no

I'm a Yoruba muslim and my girlfriend is an Igbo Christian