After Fashola’s frustration, Osinbajo gives Gov Ambode go-ahead to reconstruct Airport Road

The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has granted permission to the Lagos State Government to embark on a total reconstruction of the International Airport Road from the Oshodi end.

The state’s governor, Mr Akinkunmi Ambode who made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, commended the Acting President for his approach to issues and for fast tracking the process.

It would be recalled that the state government had lamented that its efforts to work on stretch of road was being frustrated by the minister for power, works and housing, who coincidentally is the immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

Ambode said, “We are very appreciative of the good gesture of His Excellency, the Acting President for acceding to our request which is not only very timely but a very heartwarming one. Posterity will never forget this genuine developmental action”.

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He also described the approval as a 50th birthday gift to the people of Lagos State, describing it as a further demonstration of the determination of the present administration to ensure the effectiveness of the Executive Order on improving the Ease of Doing Business recently signed by the Acting President.

Governor Ambode also gave kudos to President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the enabling environment to attract Foreign Direct Investment into the nation, adding that with the upgrading of the International Airport Road which is the gateway to the nation’s commercial nerve centre, the country will attract new investments.

The Governor had in early March this year, raised an alarm about the present state of the Muritala Muhammed International Airport Road, describing it as a national disgrace that required immediate attention to salvage the nation’s image.

He stated then that the State presently has a design for the reconstruction of the road as well as the funds to embark on the project but was yet to get the go ahead from the Federal Government.

Governor Ambode had said if given the approval, his administration was ready to hit the ground running and begin construction of the Airport Road within two weeks and finish same within a period of six months.

Besides, the Governor also implored the Federal Government to avail the State of the N2billion appropriated for the Airport Road in the 2017 National Budget to carry out the project.

The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in its reaction said the delay in granting the request of the Lagos State was because the Memorandum conveying the request of Lagos State which was already before the Federal Executive Council has not reached completion stage.

 

 

 

 

 

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