National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday passed a vote of confidence on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who he described as an epitome of creativity, intelligence and honesty in governance.
Tinubu, who spoke in Ikorodu at the commissioning of the Mile 12 – Ikorodu Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) extension, said Ambode is a man gifted in providing solutions to problems, no matter how daunting.
Apparently in response to critics doubting Ambode’s competence to pilot the affairs of Lagos post-Fashola administration, Tinubu recalled how Ambode provided solutions to the financial crisis which engulfed the state during his tenure between 1999 and 2007 when the then Federal Government seized the state’s monthly allocation for 23 months.
He said as Accountant General, Ambode, along with others, provided solutions to the quagmire and lifted the state out of financial crisis.
“He , Ambode, never gave excuses; he was always ready with solutions. He is a bundle of creativity, intelligence and honesty in governance.
“When we were thinking of who to succeed Babatunde Raji Fashola as governor, Ambode himself never thought about it; we sought him out and I’m proud to be a grandfather.
“I have many of them who are extremely gifted and talented and I have no doubt that Fashola will succeed even as Minister. You can see portfolios they gave to our people here; the government is now put together by our chosen president to move Nigeria forward and
I can conveniently say that Nigeria is in good hands,” Tinubu said.
Meanwhile, Ambode shortly before the flag-off of the BRT extension project and 434 new buses, expressed optimism that it would bring comfort and convenience to commuters.
He said the BRT system which was initiated as part of strategies to modernise the public transport system, has to a large extent lived up to expectation since the launch in March 2008 along the Mile 12 – CMS corridor.
“This government is committed to improving on the road transport network, the water transportation system, the public transport infrastructure and most importantly attract the needed investment to fund our Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP), which is already being implemented”.
“The strategic transport master plan is a 30-year plan that will deliver to us a truly world class integrated public transport system with Six Rail Lines, One Mono-Rail, 14 BRT corridors, Three Cable Car Corridors and 26 developed Water Routes”.
He commended the operator of the Mile 12 to Ikorodu BRT extension , the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) as well as other stakeholders involved in the project.
Ambode also seized the occasion to acknowledge the efforts of former governors, Tinubu and Fashola, under whom, he said the project was conceived, initiated and substantially implemented.
Also speaking earlier at the event, Osun state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola commended Ambode for his steadfastness in keeping faith with the vision of the progressives and keying into the developmental agenda for Lagos laid by Tinubu and continued by Fashola.The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Adewale Shotobi Adegorushen however, appealed to to the state government to urgently find solution to the Mile 12 bottleneck as pressure on the new road might still be much if the alternative road from Isawo to the expressway and the waterway transportation are not taken care of. – Guardian.
