29th September, 2014
Lagos State Government says it is ready to dialogue with the Federal Government on the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway for the work to be completed on time.
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen had said the central government will take over the work from the Lagos State Government in the name of ECOWAS Transnational Highway.
The state government said taking over the expressway which it had spent colossal sums of money on would not be in the interest of the people, saying it is ready to dialogue with the Federal Government on the way foward.
“We appreciate the interest that the Federal Government is now showing with respect to this road infrastructure. This, we hope, marks a new lease of life in the Federal Government’s commitment and interest in its various responsibilities towards the people of Lagos State,” said a statement from the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, signed by Biola Fagunwa, Director, Press and Public Relations.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Lagos State Government has solely conceived and financed the project from tax payers’ fund. If the Federal Government now wants to join us, we will be ready for appropriate dialogue. This is in the interest of developing our dear country.
“However, we think that it is through dialogue and a thorough analysis of the project rather than on the pages of newspapers that such a major issue will be broached and resolved.
We would also like to state that challenges associated with huge projects such as the Lagos Badagry Expressway (LBE), whether engineering, technical or even funding is not unusual,” the government said.
The state government said it is positive that the challenges would be surmounted, through innovative and well-thought out strategies by which it had always transacted its business, saying that in that wise, this project would surely be completed and delivered in the interest of Lagosians.
“Meanwhile, the FG may also wish to do a similar review of their many projects facing serious challenges all over the nation which, if care is not taken, might end up becoming ‘white elephant’ and abandoned projects.
“The Lagos State Government is however not averse to a sincere partnership and collaboration on any project within the State,” the statement said.