This photo shows a prototype of the Lekki airport as shared by Lagos government spokesperson, Jubril Gawat on October 7, 2022. |
Lagos State is set to venture into airline business, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hinted yesterday.
The state, he said, would soon begin the construction of its
own airport in Lekki, a Lagos suburb which is fast-developing on the Epe axis.
Sanwo-Olu spoke during the Lagos West Senatorial District
Town Hall meeting at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Ikeja, where he presented
the scorecard of his administration to Lagosians.
He presented a catalogue of achievements in the West of
Lagos.
The governor also attributed the delay in the kick-off of
the ambitions 38-kilometre Fourth Mainland Bridge to funding challenges.
The bridge will connect Lagos Island across the Lagoon from
Langbasa (Lekki) to Baiyeku, Itamaga in Ikorodu.
The 2 x 4 lane carriageway, with permission for Bus Rapid
Transit Lane and future road contraction was designed to relieve traffic on the
three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the Mainland.
They are: Eko Bridge, Cater Bridge and the Third Mailand
Bridge.
A one-time permanent secretary and retired Auditor- General
for Local Government in the state, Pa Muhammed Hassan, believed Lagos was ripe
to own an airline. He backed the governor’s proposal.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the airline business plan had been
in the pipeline for months, with the state now finalising the financing model.
“What is being considered is the Federal Government’s
approval and operational contingency for the airline,” the governor said.
At the meeting, Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi
Hamzat, took feedback from residents, who posed questions.
The governor noted that the input from the public was
necessary to guide his government’s decision on planned programmes and
interventions before their implementation.
He pointed out that his administration had completed and
opened 42 new roads projects and two flyovers in the district, with the
combined length of the infrastructure spanning over 72 kilometres.
Saying that the last four and half years had seen Lagos
taking a leap forward in its socio-economic and development trajectory, the
governor said he remained resolute in doubling his efforts to keep the state on
the sustainable growth path as his second term progresses.
The event was attended by members of the Governance Advisory
Council (GAC), political, religious, business leaders and traditional rulers.
Also there were members of the state executive council.
Some of those who spoke include: Executive Secretary of the
Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) Bishop Stephen Adegbite, a child
disability advocate, Mrs. Mathilda Otitoju, community leaders, among others.
The governor said: “Over the last five months, Mr. Deputy
Governor and I have been working to put a concise plan together for the
establishment of an airline, but we did not make the plan open because of the
need to get adequate knowledge about the operational procedures of airlines.
The business plan is viable and there is no issue about financing. The
conversation has gone to an advanced stage but we need to get the proper
information on operations before we go ahead to implement the plan.
“In Lagos West Senatorial District, infrastructure
development has been our priority since we came in. Over the last four years,
we have completed over 70 kilometres of new roads and over two kilometres of
bridges.
“These include Pen-Cinema Bridge, Ikeja Flyover, and over 42
roads we have completed in Alimosho, Ifako, Agege, Ikeja, Mushin, Amuwo Odofin
and Badagry. We also have over 30 ongoing road projects which are at various
stages of completion within this district.”
The governor said the senatorial district was also the major
beneficiary of the intra-city railway development projects of his
administration, with Lagos West hosting major passenger hubs of Blue Line and
Red Line trains.
He said the new General Hospital being constructed in Ojo
axis has reached an advanced stage, adding that its completion would boost
access to health care in the district.
To further enhance security and safety in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu
said his administration would be releasing additional patrol vehicles and work
gadgets to raise surveillance and capacity of security agencies to respond to
emerging threats.
He said: “We are in talks with you, the citizens, today
because we believe the government does not know it all. The feedback and inputs
we are taking away from here will help us to cater for your needs and wellbeing
better.
“We will strive to make it easier for you to be law-abiding.
It is not enough to say the laws must be obeyed, we must also ensure that the
laws are clear, fair and just.
“When people break the law and don’t do the right thing,
they make governance a lot more difficult for us. We must discharge our civic
responsibility and fulfil our obligations as citizens.
“When we do this, it reduces the cost of governance and
saves resources that will enable us do a lot more. While we appreciate your
suggestions, we are also encouraging you to ensure that all citizens do the
right thing at all times.”
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga
Omotoso, likened the town hall parley to the annual general meeting, which
offers stakeholders the opportunity to discuss with the leadership.
Omotoso noted that the move was to engender an all-inclusive
government in which citizens would have an input.
“The conversation continues with the citizens on the Lagos
project. Today, Lagos West Senatorial District leads the way; other districts
will take their turns of the Town Hall meeting where they will have unfettered
discussions with the Governor,” Omotoso said.
0 comments:
Post a Comment