Press Releases

We Will Ensure Equality Of Everyone Before The Law - Fashola

Jul 22, 2008 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Tuesday restated his determination to ensure that equality of every citizen before the law and catering for the interest of the majority remains the guiding principle of his administration as it has always been.

Governor Fashola spoke at a fund raising gala nite organized by the Lagos Island Millennium Group on the Environment (LIMGE) and the Central Business District (CBD) for the Ajele Fire Service station held at the Muson Centre, Onikan added that “our principles and integrity would never be compromised even as we shall treat all and sundry equally before the law”.

He added that “we would sometimes make painful and difficult decisions, we are human, we can get them wrong sometimes, but I can assure you that we only do so in the best interest of the larger section of the state”

Governor Fashola added that while investment opportunities are beckoning on the people, they must change for the better as the present administration is not satisfied with Lagos as it is presently, but that it has found the courage to begin to build the Lagos that it envisions.

He explained that the changes could be readily seen in terms of the sustained changes in the environment in Lagos, saying; “painfully but progressively we are cleaning up the city, we are beautifying the city painfully but progressively. We are thinking, learning and responding”.

Currently, he informed that a lot of work is going on to fix all of the massive tower lights that were installed on the Third Mainland and the outer Marina when it was built towards restoring it.

He added that contact has been established with the subcontractor who worked on the project from Europe and that he has surrendered the Governor’s official car park at Marina to the contractor to use as his work yard, promising that by December this year, the whole of Marina would be fully lit up at night.

The Governor said the money to be realized would not be adequate to develop the Central Business District (CBD) but will be channeled to developing one of the critical components for the preservation of many properties in the CBD, the Ajele Fire Service Station.

He also urged the Federal Government to provide funds to states with which it would effectively take over the Federal Fire stations it was handing over as most of the stations are now practically dead assets.

He said Lagos State has recently recruited 250 firemen and women who are undergoing training in addition to the provision of dedicated water tankers to accompany fire fighting trucks.

He revealed that the problem of fire in high rise buildings would soon be overcome as the state is set to procure two fire engines telescopic ladders for such purposes.

Governor Fashola informed that currently 80 police officers have been specifically assigned to police the inner and outer Marina as part of measures to secure life and property in the district.

Said he: “Together, we carry the burden of preparing a future for the next generation. We bear this burden stoically and with courage that and belief that with your support we can discharge it. We are all bound together under a special obligation, the most solemn that any mind can conceive for the good fortune of CBD and regenerate it.”

He expressed happiness at the renewed interest being shown by stakeholders within the CBD community, citing as example the Central Bank of Nigeria which is planning to put up an 18 floor modern office complex in Tinubu area.

The Governor said this is in addition to several efforts of the government to attract investment in properties in addition to infrastructure that have been put in place in the area, expressing the belief that when the roads and drainages work, people will invest.

The Governor said though many people queried the decision of the last administration to start the revitalization of Lagos State with CBD, it accords with reason and logic that Lagos Island as the cash cow of the Lagos economy deserves such attention. He added that the redevelopment of the Island is now being replicated in other parts of the state.

He revealed that the redevelopment of Oluwole into a modern shopping complex would be delivered by April 2009 while the second phase which is an N8Billion 15 storey twin tower building will start in September 2009.

The Lagos State helmsman also said the state is currently evaluating the potentials of developing other markets as the state as has already signed on the redevelopment of Jankara market as well as possibilities of developing Pelewura and Oja Oba markets into world class shopping malls to eradicate the menace of street trading.

In his contribution, the Managing Director of First Bank Plc, Mr Moyo Jacob Ajekigbe enlisted the support of all for the success of the laudable project.

He added that the Lagos State Government under Governor Babatunde Fashola is doing a lot to achieve the goals of transforming the state. According to the First Bank boss, though some pains might be experienced the gain is worth the while.

The Chairman of LIMGE, Chief (Mrs) Taiwo Taiwo in her address, said the decision to organize the gathering and ensure a partnering with the Lagos State Government to restore Central Lagos to its old glory is not by accident but a conscious decision to ensure that it regains its original rightful place as a pacesetter globally.

She added that historically, by 1900, Lagos Island was a viable city with a stream tramway adding that Lagos enjoyed electric light before the City of London and that Lagos even invested #500,000 in London. According to her, years of neglect led to the gradual degeneration of Lagos which must be halted by all men of goodwill.

Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture Mr. Tunde Balogun in his remark commended the efforts of the LIMGE in contributing to the revitalization of the island as demonstrated by the fund raising programme for the Ajele Fire Service Station.