Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

‘Lagos awaiting FG’s approval to repair Airport road, take over presidential lodge’

By Gbenga Salau
09 March 2017   |   4:20 am
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said that the state has not been able to begin work on the Oshodi-Airport road because the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has refused to give approval.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left), discussing with President Muhammadu Buhari during the Commissioning of Government High School, Osogbo, in commemoration of Osun State 25th Anniversary, Osogbo, on Thursday, September 1, 2016.

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said that the state has not been able to begin work on the Oshodi-Airport road because the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has refused to give approval.

The governor spoke yesterday after inspecting three critical projects of his administration: the Berger regeneration project, the Abule-Egba flyover bridge and the Aboru-Abesan link bridge and road.

Ambode said the state has cash and the contractor is willing to move to site within the next two weeks to complete it within six months. He said that state government was keen to rehabilitate the road because it has been a national embarrassment and disgrace to Lagos and Nigeria, against the backdrop that it is the gateway to the country.

According to Ambode, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works owes the state about N51 billion for projects done on it behalf and would glad if the money is paid, which could help speed up the rehabilitation of the Lagos Airport Road, when approval is given.

He however said that even if the Ministry is not willing to pay the debt now, it should allow the state government to reconstruct the Lagos Airport Road, which it has a 10-lane plan.

Ambode also disclosed that six months after President Muhammad Buhari approved the handover of the Presidential Lodge, Marina to the state government, the same ministry and the Directorate of State Services (DSS) have refused to cooperate in the handover of the lodge.

He said that like other critical projects his administration is executing, the state government hopes to commission them as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the state.

He said all property owners, whose properties were affected by the construction works would get their compensation before Easter.

0 Comments