17th November, 2015
Eromosele Ebhomele
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday demanded for N52 billion, being money spent by the Lagos State Government on repairs of Federal Roads in the state over time.
This demand was raised by the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Olumuyiwa Jimoh, under Matter of Urgent Public Importance.
Congratulating the newly appointed Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, who, as governor of Lagos, undertook some of the repairs and fixing of federal roads in the state, jimoh said that it was necessary for the money to be refunded to the state for the execution of other important projects.
He pleaded further to the Federal Government to complete on-going projects in the state and pay attention to other laudable projects that would help the development of the state.
His motion was supported by Mosunmola Sangodara, who represents Surulere Constituency 2.
Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, while contributing, said that it was important to remind former governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of the challenges facing the state since he served in the state for eight years.
“He (Fashola) has also been in the forefront of the repair of federal roads in Lagos State and the refund of money expended on federal roads by the state government.
“We must write a letter to the minister to call his attention to the urgent need to repair federal roads in the state.
“It is better to make this appeal to him before the work-load of handling three major areas of government becomes much,” he said.
In his own contribution, Tobun Abiodun, another lawmaker, urged Fashola to put Lagos State utmost in his mind as all families in Nigeria are represented in the state.
The lawmaker said that most business outlets have their headquarters in Lagos State and that President Muhammadu Buhari gave Fashola the job as Works Minister based on his performance in the state.
In his view, the Majority Leader of the House, Sanai Agunbiade, also agreed that the appointment of Fashola as Works, Power and Housing Minister was based on his performances as the governor of Lagos State, adding that some of the lawmakers in the Assembly were part of the success.
“There is nothing wrong in calling on former governor Fashola to repair our roads.
“We just need to remind him as he was in the forefront of the struggle.
“The prayers should be directed to the President of the country to give attention to Lagos roads and refund the money spent on Federal roads by the state government,” he said.
In his submission, Gbolahan Yishawu said that the matter should not be limited to roads, but that it should be extended to power and housing.
Speaking on the matter, Tunde Buraimoh said that it was wrong to call on former governor Babatunde Raji Fashola on the matter as he said that it could be interpreted as seeking for favour.
He suggested that the Federal Government should be called upon, instead, to develop Lagos State as calling on the Minister of Power, Works and Housing could cause misunderstanding.
Another lawmaker, Bisi Yusuf said that the time was right to make the call adding that motorists spend as much as 10 to 15 hours on Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway due to gridlock.
“Lagos State must be given a special status. Special funds should be earmarked for the development of the state. Fashola should pay a special attention to Lagos State,” he said.