I will remain focused, Fashola assures

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has assured Lagos residents of his determination to remain focused on the infrastructural renewal as well as actualization of his electoral promises to the people of the state in particular and Nigerians in general.
Fashola, who gave the assurance at an interactive session at the banquet hall of Lagos House, ikeja yesterday to commemorate the second anniversary of his administration and Nigeria Democracy Day, stressed that those areas which developmental project is yet to reach would be covered as they are being done in phases.

Governor Babatunde FasholaWhile attributing the success achieved so far to the sustained team work by government officials and cooperation from members of the public, the governor listed various g achievement s in the last two years to include: Efficient transportation system which include rail and water, massive construction and modernization of hundreds of roads and bridges, provision of functional health services, improvement of the educational sector, dramatic improvement of the quality of the environment among other major accomplishments .

His words: “I intend to focus only on those key accomplishments of the last two years that sign post our commitment to the successful implementation of our Ten –point Agenda. For us massive infrastructure renewal and expansion across diverse sectors is a key opportunity of virtually constructing our way out of poverty.

“We should not distracted by any politicking, the enormity of our challenges remain our focus, we a great in terms of ideas, others are great in terms of numbers.

“We forsee a new global order where only the fittest and visionary will survive. While we prepare for this new era, we should always be prepared for sacrifice.”

Allaying the fears of negative impact of global economic crisis on the state, Fashola assured; “despite the hardships attendant on the current global economic crisis, the fundamentals of the Lagos State economy remain strong. Rather than retrenching workers as is happening across the globe, we have retained our public sector work force.

“Although, I am the most visible face of the progress of our state, I want to be the first to acknowledge that it has been a team effort of great men and women who have worked with me in the entire public service from my colleagues in the executive council to the most junior officer who have allowed me the privilege to be the leader.

On Lagos-Badagry expressway expansion project, Fashola lamented that some property owners along the route had already sued the state over the project charged those who had made such moves to support government’s initiative of expanding the route, which will serve as a modern international gateway to the country.

According to him, development all over the world had always enjoyed the support of the people, stressing that Lagos should not be an exception if the state must move with the trend of development.

He continued: “The international community is supportive and responsive. Concession operators have prepared their bids, we need to clear the right of way and relocate people, because we cannot build on air. It must stand on land.

“We have done it before when people vacated their land in order for the Eko Bridge to be built. We must reach back to that historic effort to find the inspiration for change once more.”

As a major breakthrough to addressing the transportation problem in the metropolis, Fashola also disclosed that design for the construction of an intra-city rail line had been completed.

He said, “Lagos remains probably the only intra-city-state of her size and stature without an intra-city rail transport. As your elected representatives, we are ready to make that a thing of the past and make Lagos take her rightful ranking in the international community.

“The designs for the 27km Blue line from Okokomaiko to Eric Moore and the 37 km Red line from Iddo to Ijoko are ready. The contract tenders have been reviewed. Only two issues stand on our way, finance and people. These are the tools that we require now by way of your support to break the shackle.”

The governor, who responded to myriads of questions raised by pressmen also talked on the need for religious leaders to start paying their taxes.

According to him, there is the need religious leaders who earn salaries to pay their taxes as they use the same public infrastructure that were built with other tax payer’s money. Fashola, who also commented on rumour of taxes on religious institutions and churches said, “Religious institutions will not be taxed as stipulated by the law, it is not a state law, but that of the Federal Government. They exempted from tax payment. But leaders of religious bodies who earn salaries will be taxed.