Ambode in Grief Asks FG to repay N51bn debt

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action on the Apapa Container Terminal Bridge which causes traffic congestion daily.

Ambode also asked the Federal Government to repay the N51bn it owed the state government so that he could use the money to build more roads and ease the heavy traffic in the state.

Ambode, who said this on Tuesday while on an inspection of road networks in Apapa, Isolo, and Oshodi areas, noted that the state government would fix any road regardless of its status once the Federal Government’s reimbursement was in place.

He said, “The Federal Government owes Lagos N51bn, but also, the Federal Government says some conditions must be met as part of the money is actually under contention. However, the part that is free from encumbrances is about N30bn; if the Federal Government gives that to us, we will be able to do more roads.

“The most important part of these federal roads is the Murtala Muhammed Airport Road to Oshodi. On our own part, we believe we will meet all the conditions and if the Federal Government does not do it by next year, we will.”

The governor, who inspected a bridge under construction in Apapa, expressed dissatisfaction with trucks which had taken over the roads, adding that the bridge when completed would accommodate about 1,000 trucks.

He said, “We are pleading with the Federal Government to make sure that Julius Berger returns to site and alleviate the challenges that motorists are facing. We believe strongly that once this bridge is completed, the container terminal will be put to use. The container terminal can take like 1000 container vehicles, and that will ease the traffic gridlock in Lagos.”

Ambode also inspected facilities at the headquarters of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Oshodi, and the ongoing reconstruction of the Isolo-Daleko Road in company with the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA, Mr. Chris Olakpe.

…appoints new LSSTF chairman

Meanwhile, the governor on Tuesday approved the appointment of Mr. Oye Hassan –Odukale as the new Chairman of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund Board of Trustees. The appointment is subject to the ratification of the state House of Assembly.

He succeeds Chief Remi Makanjuola whose tenure as Chairman of the Board of Trustees expired after serving two terms.