My Critics Are Ignorant, says Gov. Fashola 
Published on February 1, 2013 by pmnews · 14 CommentsBy Kazeem Ugbodaga
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Nigeria’s Lagos State says those criticizing his administration over its debt profile are ignorant people and voodoo economists.
Fashola spoke while on a statewide tour of ongoing projects in Badagry area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. The governor said the critics did not know the intention of government which made it to borrow to finance capital projects.
“They are un-informed voodoo economists. We are seeing a rehash of an old plan. They are voodoo economists. This was the same plan during the tenure of my predecessor, saying Lagos has mortgaged its future for 50 years when the first Bond was taken. The initial N50 billion bond my administration took has paid off. When we took the bond, many said we had mortgaged the state for 50 years, but we have paid that.
“The other that we took is due for repayment, the amount in the consolidated debt service account is about N62 billion as at December last year. The liability that we have is N50 billion and is not due until next year, by which time the amount in the debt service account will reduce,” he explained.
Fashola stated that the state had shown that it had the capacity to pay its debt, adding that this is why I have chosen to ignore all those voodoo economists, that is why they are in the opposition and they will never get government because clearly, it’s dangerous from the way they are talking, they don’t know what the economics of governance is.”
Explaining the rationale behind the state’s budget, Fashola stated that the demands which the state government got before its budget from various communities, roads, schools amounted to about N750 billion but because the administration knew that it could not generate N750 billion, it had to scale the budget down to around N497 billion which was over and above what it could reasonably foresee.
“We are aspirational and ready to take on bigger challenges than our realities show because that for me must be part of what governance entails. It is about being audacious and forward thinking.”
“The only reason why we are working hard is how to bridge that deficit in a sustainable way, raise the money, collect the taxes from those who are hiding, who don’t want to contribute and also prepare for the generation that is coming behind.”
“As we are here, new children have arrived, some people just got married this morning, in nine months’ time you will get the results. Some are also leaving school; somebody is in the lands registry for a land transaction.
“I have to plan for all that. So if it’s just this kobo, kobo economics that they are thinking, it won’t happen. China just borrowed $640 billion to build the world’s fastest rail and create jobs in its economy. So I have chosen to ignore them,” he added.
On the on-going construction of Slave Market and other tourism development projects of the government in Badagry, Fashola said it was all about tourism as it represented one of the historical sites that Nigerians pay money to visit in other parts of the world.
“What you would see on the beach front ultimately is opportunity for the people of Badagry to show all of their skills. All of our people who sell fabrics, batik, who make dresses and beads which are all products from the skills centres,” he said.
The governor emphasized that it would be a big market ultimately for the sale of souvenirs for the people of Badagry and for the people of the state where tourists could benefit , eat the local delicasies such that people in the culinary business could set up businesses as part of efforts at waking up the economy.
Speaking on what transpired during the inspection, Governor Fashola said work on the Magistrate and High Court complex is not moving as quickly as he would like but that the contractor has promised to finish it by April this year.
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Liar FASHOLA thief like your bola ahmed.
We knew your plan arranging money to fight tinubu your god father when you eventually leave power because he will render you useless.
useless liar
Please borrow as much as you can justify the money with laudable capital projects that will not only service the loan in the long run but will also create jobs opportunity. BRF please carry go as we are all feeling you except the Neo-Blind PDP.
carry on our able gov, their really living in the past, only a blind man will criticise you.
Paul, you need to tell us what your forefathers have ever contributed to the development of your local village let alone talk of Lagos.
if im kings maker i will make BRF the next nigeria president. he does things the way people wants it,even it will hurt some people he dont mind as long as majority are ok. BRF carry go, the GOD wil surely help u.
I RESERVE MY COMMENT. . . . .BUT BRF AND TINUGU ARE NOT SAINTS
This is a focussed governor. An intelligent one, who has redefined govenance in Nigeria. All ACN governors got there because of the performance of Fashola. How I wish he will become the next president.
We stand by you,EKO ONI BAJE OOOO,
It shows that Paul is either one of the pirates in Alaba market or one of the touts in oladipo Market oshodi. My advice to the governor is not to be diverted by side talks and remain focus as ever. EKO O NI BAJE OOOOOOOOOO
The only people that can hail fashola self-proclaim achievement is acn.go to the public and interview real people you will see that majority don’t see brf as gov rather,they see him as aluu.governance is to ease people suffering not extorting from them which brf is known for.
@shinesunny65 .. are u a learner or what? who told u lagosians are nt hailing fashola ,must every thing and every issue be about politics to you . jezzz take it or you leave it fashola is working and stop criticizing if its not constructive .
Most cruel, most wicked, most heartless the govt that doesnt care abt his people IS LAGOS STATE GOVT.GET READY TO ANS QUESTING WITH EFCC AFTER 2015.YOU think you are smart with your OGA tonubu.They saving lagosian fund for 2015 election.ACN WILL LOSE LAGOS 2015 EVEN WITH THE MONEY THEY STOLE AND READY TO SPENT 2015.FASHOLA FANS tell what the govt is doing with lagos state tax payer money for the past 2yrs.Their achievement was done during his first 2yrs in office so for the past 2-3yrs there in nothing to SHOW!
The problem is that people do not like change. They want to continue with the lawlessness of the past when people would do what they like. Drive against traffic, throw dirth anywhere they like and so on.
Fashola to me is still the best governor. Eko oni baje ooooo!!!!
Lakeside,don,t you know politics is what impact the wellbeing of nigerians?or do you want me to sit and watch like lukumon?no.i am not a dumb and i cannot watch these crooks loot public fund and behave pompous towards me.if you do then that is your torror.