Contractor didn’t collect bribe from us - Residents assure Fashola

23.03.2008

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), was on Friday assured by residents of the Adekunle area of Ebute Metta that the contractor handling the road expansion project on Murtala Muhamed Way in the area had not demanded any gratification from them to connect their homes to the new drainage channels being constructed.

The governor said this during an on the spot assessment of on- going projects in the state during which the youths assured him that there was no truth in the allegation.

The governor urged the youths to cooperate with the contracting firms to ensure a progress of the project.

He also informed that parts of the old Denton Police Station would have to give way, as well as some parts of the old Post Office ,to allow completion of Murtala Mohammed Way expansion project.

He also revealed at the site of the old Tejuosho market that over 79 bids had been received on the construction of a new market.

Fashola also said that the bids were being sorted out and that very soon, the site would be handed over to the selected contractor for rebuilding the market.

He said he undertook the tour without the full complement of his cabinet members and aides in order to allow his hardworking cabinet members enjoy the holidays, and for him to see first- hand what the contractors are doing with tax payers money.

The governor, who also inspected a building donated by the Late Lady Oyinkan Abayomi as a child welfare centre to Lagos Government, but which has been taken over by squatters ,said the state plans to locate a floating hotel with other tourist attractions in the area.

While inspecting the level of work at the Ago Palace Way extension project, the governor informed that he caused a major change of the design of the road when he discovered that the median was used for parking different vehicles because of its wideness.With the reduction, an additional lane has been created on the road making it easier for motorists to navigate.

At the former Area C Police Divisional headquarters in Surulere which was burnt during a military police fracas,Fashola was assured by the spokesperson of the Mourinho group, Mr Gbemiga Olagoke, that work was going on as scheduled.

In an interview with newsmen later,Fashola described the active nature of the Lagos metropolis, especially on a public holiday, as a sign of a state that is working.