Architect sketch of Lekki-Epe International Airport
Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has announced that steady progress was being made on the drafting table in respect of a laudable idea conceived by the state government to establish a commercial airline to provide succor to air travelers, especially on the fiascoes presently experienced on the domestic air transport.
The very terse comment Instantly brought hope, and joy to the minds and faces of the audience as it simultaneously reminded the august gathering of the consistent pronouncement by the state government that construction of the Lekki International Airport will be flagged off this year 2024..
This much came to the fore at the Lagos West Senatorial District People’s Town Hall Meeting, where the Governor rendered his stewardship and presented a catalog of achievements recorded by his administration in the Senatorial District, during his first term.
In the course of of discussions at the event, Pa Muhammed Hassan, a former Permanent Secretary and a retired Auditor General for the Local Governments in Lagos State, invoked the revelation from the governor when the septuagenarian expressed his notion that, the State government was ripe enough to own and successfully operate an airline, and asked for the Governor’s view.
Responding at the town hall meeting held at the Balmoral Convention Centre on Sheraton Link Road, Ikeja; Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealed that, plans were afoot for a state-owned airline. He said that presently, the financing models of the project were being considered by the Governor and his deputy.
He added that the state government was awaiting the Federal Government’s approval and operational contingency for the airline.
The audience was ecstatic about the leg work so far done, as announced by the state Governor towards the fruition of the commercial airline project.
Sanwo-Olu enthused, “Over the last five months, Mr. Deputy Governor and I have been working to put a concise plan together for the establishment of an airline, but we did not make the plan open because of the need to get adequate knowledge about the operational procedures of airlines. The business plan is viable and there is no issue about financing. The conversation has gone to an advanced stage but we need to get the proper information on operations before we go ahead to implement the plan”, he narrated.
Sanwo-Olu enumerated the roads and bridges Lagos West Senatorial District had attracted in his first term thus, “Over the last four years, we have completed over 70 kilometers of new roads and over two kilometers of bridges”
He further itemized his government’s accomplishments concerning roads and bridges thus, “These include Pen-Cinema Bridge, Ikeja Flyover, and over 42 roads we have completed in Alimosho, Ifako, Agege, Ikeja, Mushin, Amuwo Odofin and Badagry. We also have over 30 ongoing road projects which are at various stages of completion within this district,” Sanwo-Olu announced.
The Governor noted the senatorial district was also the major beneficiary of the intra-city railway development projects, with Lagos West hosting the major passenger hub of Blue Line and Red Line trains.
Sanwo-Olu expressed gratitude to the people for turning out in good numbers saying their contributions will guide the government in policy making and the execution of people-oriented developmental projects.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, described the town hall meeting as a forum to elicit the citizens’ contributions to the way they are governed which will culminate in having an inclusive government.
Omotoso explained that the Town Hall meeting would have started during the Governor’s first term, but several unanticipated occurrences such as the COVID-19 pandemic, stalled the plan.
He however said that Lagos West Senatorial District had flagged off the town hall meeting, while other districts he added, will take their turns where they will have unfettered discussions with the Governor and his deputy.
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