The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to ensure that the Federal Government finally constructs the much awaited Fourth Mainland Bridge. The Assembly stated that Fashola, being a former governor of the state, understood the challenges the state was facing.
The lawmaker representing Lagos Island constituency 2, Mr. Sola Giwa, said the gridlock caused by the dilapidated roads was affecting the economy of the state He said:
“Lagos State is a megacity that accounts for 70 per cent of the nation’s Value Added Tax and it is now reducing because of the gridlock in Apapa and therefore, we urge Fashola at this moment to consider the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge we’ve been craving.”
The lawmakers also urged Federal Government to repay the N52bn debt it owed Lagos State for the repair of federal roads in the state. The lawmaker representing Apapa constituency 2, Mr. Jimoh Wahab, who moved the motion, in his submission, urged the Federal Government to hasten the payment of the outstanding debt.
The Assembly also asked Fashola to ensure that federal roads were quickly rehabilitated. The lawmakers at the plenary showered encomiums on Fashola and urged the Federal Government to give special recognition and status to Lagos State as a former capital and the economic nerve centre of the country.
Wahab said:
“I congratulate the minister who happens to be a former governor of this state. Lagos is the commercial capital of Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa and there is a need to rehabilitate our roads to foster economic activities.”
The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, in his contribution said:
“The House unanimously resolves to call on the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to refund the outstanding debt.”
Nice move by the Lagos State Assembly! This will surely ease traffic in the Lagos metropolis.