The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mr Babatunde Fashola

  • FG pledges to refund expenditure on federal roads to state govts

    Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing on Thursday pledged the commitment of the Federal Government to refund expenditure on the execution of federal roads to state governments.

    Fashola, who stated this in Ado-Ekiti during a courtesy visit to Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state, said the planned refund followed request by several state governments.
    The minister said he was in the state to inspect ongoing Federal Government road projects.

    He commended the governor over federal road projects executed in the state, adding that the Federal Government was committed to refunding the amount spent on the projects.

    According to the minister, we are committed to supporting states toward achieving their developmental objectives and so, efforts are being made to raise the fund through bonds.

    Fashola said Federal Government was not in competition with any state government and therefore, urged the governor to support the activities of the Federal Controller of Works in the state.

    He said the controller was in the state to ensure that the realisation of the Federal Government’s infrastructure developmental plans.

    The minister assured that work would resume in roads where engineering designs had been completed in the state, as soon as the 2017 budget was passed.

    In his remark, Fayose commended the minister for the visit, adding that coming to the state through road from Abuja was an indication that the minister was prepared to work.

    He said the state had no reason to doubt the minister over his promises to refund moneys spent on federal roads, completion of ongoing projects as well commencement of new ones.

    Fayose, however, urged the minister to expedite actions in ensuring that the projects were completed before the expiration of the tenure of the present administration in the state.

  • FEC approves 2017 Budget proposal

    FEC approves 2017 Budget proposal

    Approval of the 2017 budget proposal and its onward submission to the National Assembly was given by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday

    The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma, made this known when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the FEC meeting.

    The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He stated that the approved document would soon be presented to the National Assembly by President Buhari after consultations with the leadership of the Assembly.

    “The budget has been approved by the Federal Executive Council, the details off course, will be revealed when the President presents the budget to the National Assembly.

    “With regard to the date, the President will be communicating with the National Assembly and off course, it will be at the National Assembly’s discretion ultimately.

    “So, the president will write to them and it is after they confirm, then the president can come to address them,’’ he said.

    On the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the minister stated that the document was prepared after extensive consultation with stakeholders.

    He stated that his ministry would continue to ensure regular briefing on the state of the 2016 budget implementation, saying that 80 per cent of the capital allocation of the budget had been released.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who also addressed correspondents, disclosed that the council had approved the construction of Federal Secretariat Complex in Ekiti State.

    According to him, the council has also approved the furnishing of the Federal Secretariat in Gombe State.

    He said the Council also approved the Business case for the concession of some Small Hydro dams to achieve Incremental Power supply across the country, adding that the small hydro dams would be adequately utilized.

    “The other matter we considered, off course, was in furtherance of our Incremental Power Initiative and our Rural Electrification Initiative and this was in respect to small hydro dams.

    “This can help us get more energy, especially to rural areas to support farming; to support irrigation; to support water supply and off course rural electrification.

    “So, Council approved the Business Case for concessioning and development of Ikere Goji dam (Oyo) for 6 megawatts of electricity, Bakolori dam (Zamfara) for 3.2megawatts of electricity; and Jibiya dam (Katsina State) for 4megawatt.

    “Zobe dam 0.2 megawatts and Kpape Omi in Kogi dam for 2 megawatts of electricity and Doma dam (Nasarawa) for 1 megawatt of hydroelectricity,’’ he said.

    Fashole said that the small hydro dams would be utilised to further the nation’s quest for incremental energy in the area of renewable energy as “hydroelectricity is also clean energy’’.

  • Work to commence on Lagos-Ibadan express way – Fashola

    Work to commence on Lagos-Ibadan express way – Fashola

    Motorists plying the Lagos- Ibadan express way will soon begin to smile, as Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola announced that work on the road will commence next week.

    His counterpart in Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed also reassured Nigerians that the Muhammadu Buhari led administration was on track.

    The duo spoke Thursday at the Inaugural town hall meeting in Abuja they assured Nigerians that while there is still much work to be done, this Administration neither lacks the political will nor the discipline and the determination to fulfil its electoral promises and take Nigeria to greater heights.

    Other ministers at the event included Ministers of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma; Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh and Environment, Amina Mohammed.

    Fashola also said that government is working out on formalities and standards for the smooth implementation of its mass housing plan.

    Fashola, who lamented the ongoing vandalization of the oil pipelines, expressed the determination of government to deliver on steady power supply in the country.

    He stressed that what the government was working on was to ensure gradual and steady power supply in the country.

    Information minister on his part thanked Nigerians for their perseverance and patient with the administration; adding that the Government will not shy away from its electoral promises.

    He announced that the first rollout of the 500,000 Social Intervention Scheme of the present administration will start this Saturday

    The minister said, “I believe that my only sin is talking too much before the elections and I now have to pay the price.

    “The first one was held in Lagos. Any meaningful assessment must be situated within the right context.

    “We campaigned on three broad areas, corruption, revamp the economy and security. Have we met our targets? If you ask me, I will say we are on track.

    “When we came in, many local governments in the north-east were under the control of Boko Haram. They hoisted their flags, they were even collecting taxes, but today not even a single local government is under the control of Boko Haram.

    “We have been able to liberate 16,000 captors from the enclave of Boko Haram.”

    ‘‘In order to prove that this administration neither lacks the political will nor the discipline and the determination to fulfill its electoral promises and take Nigeria to greater heights, Mohammed assured that the Change they promised is real.

    The Minister noted that the administration campaigned on three broad areas: to tackle insecurity, fight corruption and revamp the economy and boasted that the promises had been met to a great extent, insisting that the administration is on track.

    ‘‘We acknowledge that the nation is passing through a very difficult situation at this time, with the loss of over 60 per cent of our national income due to the crash in the price of crude oil.

    ‘‘Though Nigeria has faced the challenges of ethno-religious violence, armed robbery, cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, militancy and violent agitations, the most daunting security challenge faced by the country when we assumed office on 29 May 2015 was the Boko Haram insurgency.

    ‘‘The Administration is also tackling other security problems with the same decisiveness, whether is it cattle rustling, herdsmen/farmers’ clash, militancy and regional agitations. We are not only desirous of communicating to Nigerians, we are actually taking practical steps to address issues.’’

    The Minister of Budget and national Planning on his part, said that his ministry had put a mechanism in place to track the efficient implementation of the 2016 budget in tune with the Change agenda of the government and appealed to Nigerians for patience.

    The forum was meant to allow the government to give account of its stewardship to the citizens and also engage directly with them on burning national issues.

    It is also expected to strengthening democracy help in bridging the communication gap between the government and the people.

    The first edition of the town hall meeting under the present administration was held in Lagos on April 25th 2016, over a month to the first year anniversary of the Administration. It had since held the town hall meeting in Kaduna and Kano.

    The next edition is slated for Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Monday June 13th 2016 before Enugu state.

  • N78m website: I did not corruptly enrich myself – Fashola

    N78m website: I did not corruptly enrich myself – Fashola

    The immediate past governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said he did not corruptly enrich himself in the controversial N78 million personal website deal executed under his administration.

    Answering questions from senators at the ongoing ministerial screening on Wednesday, Fashola said even his critics did not accuse him of corruptly enriching himself in the controversial deal.

    “I don’t award contracts because there is a tenders board in place. They do market survey to get the price benchmark for these things. There is a process and we have consultants who check these things periodically. Nobody has alleged that I have corruptly enriched myself.”

    Explaining further on the controversy, Fashola said suspicion arises wherever money is involved, even among brothers.

    Asked to state his concept of loyalty, the former governor described loyalty as  strange concept, saying “I have always prayed that may our loyalty never be tested.

    “I pray that my loyalty should not be tested. In my public life, I have had cause to be loyal to causes I believe in.”

    Details later.

  • Fashola enumerates impressive scorecard in sport

    Fashola enumerates impressive scorecard in sport

    …As Ambode ensure continuity of positive developments

    LAGOS State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN on Friday kept a date with tradition as he graced the 6th Annual Governor’s Belt Edition and 59th Monthly Boxing Show during which he enumerated the administration’s achievements in the sporting sector and asserted that only the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be capable of sustaining and taking forward the accomplishments.

    At the event which saw Master Dauda Azeez representing Lagos State emerging as the Champion and winner of the 6thAnnual Governor’s Belt and 59th Monthly Boxing Show, Governor Fashola, made   a personal Five Year Endowment in the sum of Two Million Naira each to ensure sustenance of the tourney from next year.

    The Governor who spoke at the Sir Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere also gave a commitment that the State would support the various winners who want to turn professional in terms of sponsorship and exposure

    He stated that gradually over the years, the State has built a sports calendar that is second to none for young people across the whole of the Country, adding that from January to December, the young people of the State are doing something or the other, swimming, athletics, Principals Cup.

    He stressed that the reputation of Lagos as a grassroots Sports State is not limited to boxing, but it is the Boxing tournament that is the climax and the end of the annual sporting calendar now in Lagos,

    “We have assumed International dimension as well with the partnership with the Rentom Club of England which has exposed these young boys and girls to the opportunities they could only dream of many years back. I am also delighted that our Ghanaians brothers and sisters are also with us today”, he added.

    The Governor who thanked all the competitors for the spirit of fair play that they displayed said after the fierce exchange of blows, the boxers still hugged themselves like brothers and sisters which is the true spirit of the sports.

    He also gave kudos to the Lagos State Chairman of the Amateur Boxing Association, Mr Olawale Edun and the members of the organizing committee because of what has been achieved as a team adding that very few people believed they could get this far when the journey started in 2009.

    He also had words of appreciation for the sponsors who believed in the state by putting their brands at the disposal of the state as well as the managers of the various sporting facilities for keeping them in excellent conditions.

    In his vote of assurance, the Chairman, Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Mr. Olawale Edun, expressed his profound gratitude to Gov Fashola,  for his support towards the success of the Championships since 2009 adding that the competition has brought a lot of young people together in Lagos State.

    Prominent among those who witnessed the event were the APC Governorship Flag bearer, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, Permanent Secretary, Office of Sports, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu, Director of Sports, Lagos State Sports Council, Dr. Kweku Adedayo Tandoh, Former member, Lagos State Boxing Association, Mr. Albert Timson, Chairperson, Lagos State Football and other Sports Supporters Club, Mrs. Gbajumo Folashade, a boxing promoter from United Kingdom, Mr. Tony Jackson and several sports lovers.

  • Partnership approach to waste management rewarding, says Fashola

    Partnership approach to waste management rewarding, says Fashola

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola,  has commended the introduction of participatory and partnership approach to achieving sustainability in waste management.

    He said his administration have exhibited immense commitment to environmental issues in addition to dedicating enormous will to improving waste management practices, making it an investors first choice in the state.

    He spoke at a forum in Lagos on “Multi-stakeholder cooperation for knowledge and capacity development in waste management” organised by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in collaboration with the International Partnership for Expanding the Waste Management Services of Local Authorities (IPLA), a platform initiated by the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD).

    He said waste management had gone from the mundane to a huge income generating business, noting that LAWMA has given impetus to waste generation in the country and in some West African countries, such  as Sierra Leone, Ghana, Cote D’ Voire and many cities.

    He praised the agency for investing in Biogas and transforming it as the waste is converted to electricity.

    Earlier, LAWMA Managing Director, Mr. Ola Oresanya, said the sector generates over $100million into the state economy with massive job creation opportunities from 1,000 employees in 2005 to 27,000 jobs today.

  • Fashola fetes children at end- of-year party

    Fashola fetes children at end- of-year party

    LAGOS State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, and his wife, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, on Friday played host to children of the state at the 2013 end of year party at Alausa, Ikeja.

    Speaking at the Christmas/New Year party, the governor charged the children and teachers to collaboratively raise the bar and ensure a better performance in public examinations next year in the state.

    Fashola said he expected a minimum performance of 60 percent not only in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) but across all the school systems.

    He commended the students and teachers for hearkening to his charge of improving their performance by moving up from 39 percent pass in five subjects at one sitting including Mathematics and English in 2012 to 41 percent in 2013.

    “You know where we began; we began from 7 percent, then we got to 11 percent, then to 18 percent, to 21 percent, then we dropped a little to 19percent, then we went to 39 percent and last year, we added 2 percent more. Are we happy with 41 percent? So, you are going to make me another promise to work harder this year and next year,” he added.

    Fashola said all those who intend to use fire crackers during the festive period must do so properly so that they do not become sources of danger.

    He added that in line with the recommendation by a panel of inquiry on use of explosives, those who want to bring in firecrackers must do so in accordance with recommendations like ensuring that they are kept at the ideal temperature they should be kept.

    The end-of-year party was attended by members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) and thousands of children from across the state.