General News
Lagosians need answers on The Lagos Monorail Project – State Chairman Lagos State PDP
The People’s Democratic Party, Lagos State Chapter ably led by Engr Adedeji Doherty having run out of patience as regards the foot dragging and “shady dealings” as it concerns the “Monorail Project” hereby calls out the Lagos State Government to give answers to Lagosians on some pertinent questions.
“The Blue Line Rail Project” as it was tagged by the Lagos State Government led by Governor Babatunde Fashola’s APC led administration, had generated knocks from various quarters.
The project which was designed by the Lagos State Government, is expected to run in the middle of the Lagos Badagry Expressway road expansion development project.
Controversies brewed as regards the Monorail Project when the contractors handling the project reported that the contract was awarded at a sum of $182million as against the Lagos State Government report putting the contract sum at $1.2billion.
It has also been alleged that the state facilitated a world bank loan for the project.
Also making the rounds is the uncertainty as it concerns when operations would commence.
You would however recall, that at the commencement of the project, completion date was given as 2011, it was subsequently pushed to 2013, then to 2015.
At an inspection tour late last year Governor Sanwo-Olu had said “The completion of this project is top priority for our administration, as it is critical to the achievement of our prioritised pillar of traffic management and transportation in our six-point development agenda, known as project THEMES”.
He further stated that “the aim of this rail project is basically to reduce travel time through an effective and efficient intermodal transport system”.
He went on to say “The project is also key to the building of a 21st century economy, which is central to the vision of a Greater Lagos . We are committed to delivering this project next year and ensuring its operation starts in 2021.”
It is however also on record that the state Government engaged a consultant who carried out a technical review and due diligence on the implementation of the project.
Their report revealed that operations of the first phase can only commence in 2022.
As tax payers, we are all seriously concerned about the discrepancies between the cost of the project as reported by the contractors and the reports of the Lagos State Government.
We also wish to state categorically that Lagosians deserve to know in details how state resources are being utilised.
The budget as released regularly by the government is usually shrouded in a lot of secrecy.
The People’s Democratic Party Lagos Chapter however seeks answers to the following pertinent questions:
- What is the actual overall cost of the Monorail Project?
- When are Lagosians expecting this project to start operations?
- Why are Budgets shrouded in secrecy?
- What is the confirmation that this project wouldn’t end up as a “white elephant project?
- When will all these game of “musical chairs” stop?
Lagosians are tired.
Enough is Enough!
Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria
Long Live Lagos State
Long Live the People’s Democratic Party.
Signed:
Engr Adedeji Doherty
Chairman, People’s Democratic Party, Lagos Chapter