I Have Kept My Promises, Jonathan Has Not- Fashola Claims

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of failing to fulfill his promises made to Nigerians prior to the 2011 election, saying, “That is the difference between us, All Progressives Congress, APC, and them, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led Federal Government.

According to Vanguard, Fashola made the remarks at the commissioning of the 2.18 Kilometer Glover Road, Ikoyi, which also had in attendance the business mogul, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and others dignitaries in attendance.

He said that the President has continued to come back with new promises without fulfilling the previous ones.

According to him, “I have said time again, that the issues with the presidential election is not new promises by the PDP presidential candidate (Goodluck Jonathan), it is the record of service about what he has done with the promises he made in 2011.”

The governor noted that the President in 2011 promised to build the Second Niger Bridge but four years after, Nigerians were yet to see the bridge.

He said, “But we promised to build the Lekki-Ikoyi link Bridge in 2010 and in three years we have finished a first class architectural masterpiece which put Lagos back on the global architectural reckoning.

“For our political opponents, they say it is expensive, they say every negative thing about it, but we used the same contractor, Julius Berger, to build that bridge. The same contractor has not been able to help them deliver the Second Niger Bridge that the president promised since 2011.

“After building that bridge I promised you that we would improve connectivity here and give commuters choice, we have finished Glover Road, we are on Second Avenue and other roads, I have kept my promises.

The governor said with the upgrading of the road, motorists, bicycle riders would have respite, adding that if the road is well maintained, “the road could last between 30 and 50 years.”

Earlier, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Kadri Hamzat who explained that the 2.18km road with 10 meters width with integrated pedestrian and bicycle lanes was government’s strategy at tackling climate change while also ensuring that residents could make lifestyle changes that could further enhance their health status.

According to him, the use of bicycle would reduce carbon emission just as bicycle riding would affect positive lifestyle, adding that the road has all the necessary service ducts with adequate provisions made for street lights and alternative power supply built with interlocking paring stones.

He continued, “The road can withstand flooding that characterise rainy season around this axis of the state. The completion of this road will also improve the driving experience of the people of the community.

“This is also a link to the Lekki/Ikoyi Link Bridge through the Alfred Rewane Road. We are also on Bank road and First Avenue that will create the necessary links and improve connectivity.”