SAN FRANCISCO, March 09, (THEWILL) – The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has accused the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing headed by his immediate predecessor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, of frustrating plans by the state government to reconstruct the road linking Murtala Muhammed International Airport to Oshodi.
Noting that the present state of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road was a national disgrace and required immediate attention, he further expressed frustration that six months after President Muhammadu Buhari approved the handing over of the Presidential Lodge in Marina, the state government was yet to be allowed access into the premises.
Ambode made these allegations at the State House, Alausa after inspecting some strategic projects in different parts of the state alongside Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello among other members of the State Executive Council.
He pointed out that the Presidential Lodge was central to the state’s fiftieth celebration, disclosing that the state government would soon roll programme for the anniversary.
The Governor, therefore, lamented that the lodge, which would play a crucial role in the state’s fiftieth celebration, had not been handed over to the state government even when the handover was ordered by the president.
According to him, “The road linking Oshodi to the International Airport is a national embarrassment. In the spirit of the regeneration and urbanisation that this administration has set out to achieve, we believe that the road must be repaired.
“We took it upon ourselves that the House of Assembly should approve the total reconstruction of the Airport Road from Oshodi to the International Airport in the 2017 budget. Every plan has been completed, but we are having challenges with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.”
He disclosed that the state government had already a design of 10 lanes “to come from Oshodi to the International Airport with interchange and flyover that would drop you towards the Local Airport. The contractor is already set to go. Everything as I said has been completed”.
Speaking on the refusal of the federal ministry to handover the Presidential Lodge, Marina to the state government, Ambode said, “We plan that by May 27, 2017, we should be able to invite Mr. President and other people to that Presidential Lodge for the final banquet and dinner to markLagos@50.
“As we speak, we have yet to gain entrance into that place and this is frustrating our programme. The approval of Mr. President should be honoured and the agencies concerned – the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the security services – should honour the promise made by Mr. President.”
