Speech by Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN- Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing FMPWH at the FGNTownHall Meeting in IBADAN.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN 

“In 2015 the budget left behind by the previous government was N19 billion for works, N5 Billion for power, N1.2 Billion for housing, Total: N25.2 Billion

In 2017, the budget for works was N394 Billion; Power was N69.96 Billion & Housing was N64.9 Billion (Total N529 Billion).”

BRF: “We are constructing houses in 34 states in a pilot scheme to determine affordability and acceptability; and we have 90 transmission projects aimed at improving connectivity between the GenCos and the DisCos who serve you.”

“Those 90 projects are largely resuscitated because this government has recovered 690 containers of power equipment out of over 800 containers left at the Port for almost a decade because they did not pay contractors, who then could not pay the shippers & warehouse companies.”

“Those of you from Ondo and environs will agree that although the work is not finished, your travel time on the Benin-Ore-Sagamu road has reduced. Our contractor is on site and has to work while you use the road.” — @tundefashola

“The same is true of the Lagos-Ibadan Exp that connects Lagos, Ogun and Oyo; and links to Ondo. Those of you who use the road will acknowledge that you no longer have to spend the night on the road. You can go to Ibadan from Lagos and be sure that you can return on the same day.”

“Yet we have not finished. Please as you prepare to choose next year, remember those long hours on Benin-Ore, Lag-Ibadan that sometimes stretched into the Night. Do you want to go back? Ask yourself if progress on these roads in 3 yrs is better than what you‘ve seen over 16 yrs.”

“It will help you decide who to choose to ensure that the road is finished, and you can move forward. Also remember those who presided over the cuts in the budget of these roads in the 2017 budget.”

“As they plan to frustrate and slow down the Buhari Govt, the president innovates & finds solutions. There is now a Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund to ensure that the Second Niger bridge, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road, Lagos-Ibadan Exp... are not deprived of funding again.”

“Major roads in the Southwest like the Lagos-Otta-Abeokuta Road, the Ikorodu-Sagamu road, which had been deserted and left to decay, now have contractors at work. Do you want to go back to that?”

“The Apapa-TinCan-Mile 2 -Oshodi- Oworonshoki road has been awarded and work should start sometime in November this year as the construction equipment are being readied. This will give a final solution for the gridlock that was inherited from the last government.”

“These are some of the examples of what has changed and is changing for the better.

Those who ran it aground for 16 years now say we are not quick enough.

The question you right thinking and well-meaning citizens should ask is which Nation has been rebuilt in 4 years?”

“It is going to take more than one election cycle to consolidate on the progress I have shared with you; and if you do not choose wisely you can reverse it.”

“A choice to go back is a choice to reverse this progress and a choice to move forward is a sensible choice to consolidate and progress.

Those same people who caused the problem cannot now be trusted to fix it.”

“You will hear from them that the country has problems as they try to weaponise our challenges to deceive Nigerians.”

“Infrastructure decayed under their watch; insurgency & bombings started under their watch; grand corruption under their watch makes it impossible to identify 1 item of critical infrastructure that Nigeria can point to in a decade during which oil price averaged $100 per barrel.”

“On the housing side, as I said we are in every state including all the states of the South West except Lagos. Each site employs not less than 1,000 people made up of builders, artisans, fabricators, and vendors and we plan to do much more.”

“Through this infrastructure commitment, the President and the government are driving the economy vehicle in the right direction. The last quarter report of the National Bureau of Statistics for Q2 of 2018 shows the following rate of growth in sectors affected by my ministry:”

“i) Transportation – (Road, rail, water and air)  – 21.76%

ii) Construction – 7.66%

iii) Electricity – 7.59%.”

“But it is not just travel time reduction, & economic growth that is impacted, the number of road traffic accidents, injuries and loss of lives are reducing month by month as FRSC figures from June & July 2018 show. While the biggest cause of accidents remains speed violations.”

“Let me close with some specific comments on power in the South West: Magboro, Mowe, Ibafo, Ondo (North and South) are communities who were never connected to power supply before. That story has changed. They are now connected and experiencing power supply. That is Change.”

“This is because we increased generation from 4,000 to 7,000 MW; averaging 1,000 MW per annum; Transmission from 5,000 to 7,000MW averaging 660MW per annum, and distribution from 2,690 MW in May 2015 to 5,222MW in January 2018, averaging 844 MW per annum.”

“We have not finished and we have not reached everybody yet; but many of you can tell the difference now and attest to the fact that things have changed for the better.”

“Ask yourself if you use your generator longer today than in 2015 or if you spend less money on diesel today than in 2015, or if you are getting power supply longer today than in 2015.

Please choose next year according to that answer.”

“Also ask yourself who has done better: 4,000 MW over 16 years at an average 250 MW per annum? Or 3000 MW over 3 years at an average of 1000 MW per annum?

I have addressed the choice before you between going back and moving forward.”

“Let me end my contribution on another issue that is critical to the decision you have to make about your future.

That issue is TRUST.”

“Who will you trust to better manage your affairs. The one who did less with more; or the one that is doing more with less.

Without a doubt, we have done more with less time and with less money. That is change and we remain committed to doing more.”

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing FMPWH

PHOTOSPEAK. DAGGERS SHEATHED, NO MORE WAR. ITS ALL IN THE FAMILY. SEE BRF, AMBODE & BOS ALL TOGETHER AS ONE.

BRF, AMBODE and BOS

BRF, AMBODE, BOS & Seriki

We only just hope that at the end of it all, they have all sheathed their former drawn daggers or swords and all are back together as brothers, all members of one same big family once again.

Yes, we are talking about the former Governor of Lagos and now the most powerful minister in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, in the person of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, the incumbent in the person of the reigning Governor of Lagos State, Mr  Akinwunmi Ambode and the man, many says is destined to take over the baton from Ambode in the person of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, aka BOS, the current MD/CEO of the LSPDC.

The 3 men were seen together, sat near each other like they were brothers with nothing whatsoever amiss at the APC Convention in Abuja the FCT only just yesterday. This was the same BRF & Ambode that were said not to be friends or friendly to each other embracing like best buddies or brothers. And also on the other side was the same Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, that Ambode had tried to obliterate or is it annihilate with accusations of madness and being a criminal, an ex-convict at that, one that the affairs of the state; a state like Lagos for that matter must not be entrusted to, only just a few days back!!!!

Now the trio are like chummies who have never ever had any issues ever before.

Hilariously the trio have been tagged - Tinubu babes, while others have referred to them as Tinubu All Stars, but we have added to the tags by saying this are "men dem".

The action of the trio might just be restating "Carol Moseley Braun's quote which states " There are no permanent friends or permanent enemies, just permanent interests". Such is life!!! 

20 YEARS AFTER, FG COMPLETES HANDING OVER OF PRESIDENTIAL LODGE, MARINA TO LASG

…We'll Transform Edifice To National Monument, Says Ambode
...Thanks Buhari, Osinbajo, Fashola, Others.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Minister for Power, Works & Housing, BRF

1. The Federal Government on Tuesday completed the final handing over of the Presidential Lodge, Marina to the Lagos State Government about twenty years after the journey to actualize it commenced.

Speaking at the brief but impressive handing over ceremony, held at the Conference Room of Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing in Abuja, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said the development was a testament of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to bring positive change to Lagos.

Governor Ambode particularly commended the President, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola and staff of the Ministry; Permanent Secretary in the Office of Chief of Staff to the President, and other stakeholders who worked to ensure the final transfer of the asset to Lagos.

The Governor said: "We are strongly delighted to be here on this historic day; on a day that actually finalises the intention of Mr President to bring positive change to Lagos.

"We want to sincerely appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari who has graciously approved that the Presidential Lodge be released to Lagos State and for the use of Lagos State which, just has said by the Minister, we have been trying to get for the last twenty years.

"We are pleased that on a day like this, it is my predecessor and present Minister of Works who is now doing the final handing over of which he had also been part of that process to get this asset back to Lagos but in God's own doing, the Minister is in the position today to do the final documentation and we are very grateful for that."

While alluding to the fact that the development was a sign of greater collaboration between Federal Government and Lagos State, Governor Ambode expressed optimism that it would be the beginning of process to get such assets back to the State Government.

Besides, the Governor said his administration would put the edifice to good use and transform it into a national monument to boost tourism and grow the economy of Lagos and Nigeria.

"This is a sign of greater things and greater collaboration between the Federal Government and Lagos State. We believe strongly that this singular gesture is part of what will improve the economy of Lagos because our intention is to turn that particular asset into a national monument where we can christen it a National Heritage Centre for Leadership and we will use it also as a tourist centre to bring Nigerians and foreigners to come to Nigeria and as well use that as a means of improving on the economy of Lagos State and Nigeria.

"On a final note, I want to show my sincere appreciation to the Minister and hope that this particular event will bring more good stories as we continue to see how much we can strive to get some of these assets back to Lagos State," Governor Ambode said.

Earlier, Fashola congratulated Governor Ambode and the people of Lagos State for the N1.04trillion budget estimate presented to the State House of Assembly on Monday by the Governor, and expressed hope that it would improve quality service delivery to the people of the State.

He said the signing of the document which formally vest ownership of the Presidential Lodge, Marina in the State Government was in fulfillment of the promise made by President Buhari, saying it was gratifying that the long journey spanning about two decades had finally come to an end.

He said: "This is a long journey that has come to an end; a journey that has taken almost two decades when the Lagos State Government asked that the property be vested in Lagos but for reasons that remained difficult to understand it did not happen but the President of change who is a promise keeper has made it happen."

Aside Governor Ambode, other Lagos State officials at the ceremony included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde and Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr Adebowale Akinsanya.

BEFORE PERCEPTION BECOMES REALITY AS WRITTEN BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER FOR WORKS, POWER & HOUSING, BABATUNDE RAJI FASHIOLA, SAN

BRF

SENATOR DINO MELAYE

That BRF is highly regarded is stating the very obvious. One of the major things that has always counted well for him, is his intellectual capital and his ability to deliver exceptional punchlines and even put words together, whenever it is needed.

To pick a fight with him or against him, without having the "requisite intellectual capacity" or the sagacity to match him, is like committing Hara-Kiri, the Japanese word for honor suicide.

His ministry, Power, Works and Housing was accused sometime last week on allegations of a lost or stolen $350 million dollars, that campaign as usual was led by none other than the embattled Senator Dino Melaye. The way it was painted, it was like gbam, at last, a rat has now finally being caught at the game and there was no escaping ghen ghen!!

So the Minister in charge of the Ministry, in the person of the former Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Raji Fashola has thought to respond robustly below. Not only that, he has also said that they would even respond far more better, when called upon to face whoever. 

It seems like for some, the days of being jittery in the face of scrutiny has long gone, so bring it on, let's jaw jaw.

Find below, Mr. Fashola's response, not even dignifying the Senator by calling his name......

BEFORE PERCEPTION BECOMES REALITY. 
BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN

A STATEMENT BY THE HON. MINISTER OF POWER, WORKS AND HOUSING,

MR BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN

Before perception becomes reality, I feel compelled to make this Statement in response to allegations bordering on financial impropriety raised on the Floor of the Senate against the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, my Office as Minister, the staff of the Ministry and by extension my person.

The sum and substance of the allegations to which the Ministry will provide full, factual and detailed response when formally invited are that:

1.   An amount in the region of $350million being part of a $1billion Eurobond facility taken in 2013 has gone missing or has been diverted.

2.   That the Ministry, had procured a contract for Afam Fast Power and paid $26million or thereabout for it.

With all emphasis, I state that there is no factual basis for the allegations.

The Ministry, my staff and I have done nothing wrong and we will collaborate fully with the Investigating Committee when called upon.

For now, it suffices for members of the public to note that I wasn’t a Minister in 2013, and that when Government raises a Debt like the Eurobond, it is the Debt Management Office that manages the Debt and not the Ministry.

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) had on Monday, 6th November 2017 issued a Statement on the Front Page of The Nation Newspaper explaining that the money was not missing, stating also that the $350 million had been invested and that interest had even accrued on the money.

If there was no ulterior motive for the allegation, this was enough reason for a reconsideration of the presentation of the Motion on the Floor of the Senate on the 8th of November 2017.

But the story seemed to have changed from “missing money” last week, to a “desperate attempt to retrieve the money “, this week.

More after the break.

THAT AVOIDABLE DEATH TRAP CALLED APAPA-OSHODI EXPRESSWAY!!!

Babatunde Raji Fashola

Akinwunmi Ambode

Imagine that a major road that connects a major part of Lagos is that terrible? Imagine potholes on a so called expressway that's like gullies? And because the very long stretch of road is called an expressway, you know that it has a minimum speed limit that should normally be allowed!

So you speed too much then it's at your own unfortunate peril! That's because you could just arrive at one of those gully like major potholes all of a sudden, and to try to manoeuvre out of harm's way at such speed might just be too late, it's either you enter which is terrible on its own especially at a speed or you try to to do a split second shift away and it's a collision with whoever is on the side, any which way it's not a good outcome! So why is the stretch called expressway? Majorly because expressways  have multiple lanes to and fro that carries heavy loads of traffic, (that is mass of cars, trucks etc) and because of how bad the situation is, it makes one to ask again "expressway to where please"? The only answer that readily comes to mind would be ", Expressway to quick and untimely death!

More after the break.

FASHOLA SLAMDUNKS LEGISLATORS INTO SUBMISSION

It is now obvious that if you don't have the intellectual capacity or the expected knowledge or the acquired wherewithal or immense resources at the disposal of BRF, you don't go after the Minister for Works, Housing and Power in the negative, in the person of the former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN or else.

In what is akin to a collosal clap back of the mightiest order, he just responded to a clap back by the house which had tried to paint that he was just an unneccesary noise maker and a liar.

In his delivery and response to them, he shut them down totally in the most intelligent way, making the bunch look colourless, bereft of ideas, uncouth and not knowledgeable at all- "Nigeria is in trouble if NASS mistakes budgetary appropriation for cash!!!!"

Imagine that the Minister had to school the legislators on the difference between budget and cash? Something that they should have been very conversant with?

More after the break.

FASHOLA VS TINUBU-IS THE LAGOS APC READY TO IMPLODE?

SUPO SHASORE,SAN

AKINWUNMI AMBODE

ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GOVERNOR EMERITUS

Hmmmmmmmmm!!!!!! If it is true what we hear, then the plan of the opposition in Lagos might already be working and they might already be winning the battle ahead of the upcoming election, even though the election is still many many months away. 

There have been the unsubstantiated rumour and speculations all this while, that all might not be well between Governor Babatunde Fashola & his godfather, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The rumour mill seems to suggest that both are only just still tolerating each other, just to maintain peace and not necessarily jeopardize a lot of things. Though when most of this things crop up, people are said to come in to always sooth the nerves of the parties in involved. There seems to be another battle of supremacy playing out right now underground. According to the unconfirmed gist, the present Governor who has enjoyed 2 terms and who would be leaving when his tenure expires soon, is said to be favourably disposed to his own man Supo Shasore, SAN, who was the former Commissioner for Justice & Attorney General in Lagos (2007-2011) to succeed him as the next Executive Governor of the State of Excellence.

While the Governor is said to prefer Supo Shasore, his party's (APC) chief and benefactor on the other hand is said to favour another candidate entirely. Some have 'suggested' that the man after Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu's heart is Akinwunmi Ambode, a retired Permanent Secretary and the former Lagos State Accountant General.

This supposed choices of the 2 powerful men in Lagos politics is said to be causing some major disaffection & frictions, with supporters on each side already said to be going to their different trenches to begin a battle of supremacy. With this supposedly happening underground, it brings to mind the question; Can APC retain the rulership of Lagos? Can a kingdom divided against itself stand to win the battle against a growing formidable enemy(ies)? 

It is not just the PDP that the APC would have to contend with on the battlefield, there's also the growing love for JayKay- that is Jimi Agbaje, who we hear is quietly growing his formidable tentacles underground and might even be getting the full support of the powers that be at the center; who are hell bent on upsetting APC's apple cart any which way they can.

So would APC implode over the egos of these 2 strong men? Would the 2 juggernauts sheath their swords and agree on a candidate to put forward? The coming weeks will tell. Let's even see who get power pass!!!

Meanwhile, who would you prefer? Supo Shasore or Akinwunmi Ambode? 

Please have in mind that a normally accurate predictor like Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele of Inri Evangelical Ministries has ruled out the likes of Ganiyu Solomon, Musiliu Obanikoro, Akinwunmi Ambode and others from winning the next election. He has predicted that an unknown from Ikorodu would emerge.

WHERE IS THE SO CALLED OPPOSITION IN LAGOS STATE? ARE THEY READY FOR THE NEXT ELECTION?

 

MUSILIU OBANIKORO

ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU

A few weeks ago we had asked the question on this platform- Who is the next Governor of Lagos? Our reason mainly for asking was because we had observed some moves by some members of the ruling party- the ACN who seem to have loads of those that can vie for the post. Some were even already making their intentions known either openly or surreptitiously. Many names are been bandied around and everyone seem to be jostling one way or the other, trying to test the waters, though the election is still about 2 years away. We quite understand the fact that some are using it as bargaining tool for relevance.

While some have openly shown their intentions, some are still acting like they are not interested at all, while their body language says otherwise. We love the fact that those who commented on the last post seem to agree with some of the names with we had made mention of in our earlier write-up- the likes of Gbolahan Lawal, Obafemi Hamzat, Muiz Banire, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Gbenga Ashafa, Ganiyu Solomon etc. 

CONCLUDING PART AFTER THE BREAK. PLS CLICK ON READ MORE BELOW