“Lagos State is running on federal infrastructure”: Labaran Makun comes out swinging at the launch of the 2nd Ministerial Platform

by Idoreyin Sampson

From left: Transport Minister Sen. Idris Umar, Information Minister Mr. Labaran Maku, Works Minister, Arc. Mike Onolememen and Minister of State Works, Amb. Bashir Yuguda at the commencement of the second edition of Ministerial Platform in Abuja on Monday, June 3, 2013
From left: Transport Minister Sen. Idris Umar, Information Minister Mr. Labaran Maku, Works Minister, Arc. Mike Onolememen and Minister of State Works, Amb. Bashir Yuguda at the commencement of the second edition of Ministerial Platform in Abuja on Monday, June 3, 2013

It promises to be an exciting month for political watchers, as the 2nd Ministerial Platform kicked off at Radio House in Abuja Monday, June 3, 2013 with the Information Minister, Labaran Maku making a spirited case for the performance of the Goodluck Jonathan Administration.

The first of a month-long series, designed to provide details on President Jonathan’s mid-term report, the event was attended by the Transport Minister, Sen. Idris Umar, Information Minister Mr. Labaran Maku, the Works Minister, Arc. Mike Onolememen, and Minister of State Works, Amb. Bashir Yuguda.

The Information Minister while reiterating the performance of the Jonathan administration also took swipes at the opposition pointing to the perceived insincerity of the non-PDP governors particularly those of Edo State and Lagos State.

[READ: “Our ministry has employed 4,000 youth, and 500 youthful engineers’ – Minister of works, Mike Onolememen]

[READ: President Jonathan continues mid-term reports with launch of 2nd Ministerial Platform today]

Maku revealed that Lagos State is “running on federal infrastructure” and that most of the projects that Governor Babatunde Fashola boasts of where executed by the federal government.

“The 3rd Mainland Bridge is a federal road, in fact, it was recently rehabilitated by the Federal Government. Ikorodu Road is a federal road. Even where the BRT Lane is placed is a Federal Road. Apapa- Oshodi Expressway… in fact, most of the roads in Lagos are federal roads,” Maku disclosed. “Lagos is the luckiest state! All the governor has to do is concentrate on environmental works (sanitation).”

The Information Minister also added that the Lagos State government collects taxes on Federal Projects in the state.

“In the 80s, when I was a youth corps member serving in Benin, there was only one expressway in Edo State – the Lagos-Benin Expressway,” Maku said. “But today, through the dedicated work of the Minister of Works who happens to be a son of Edo, if you are going from Benin to Onitsha, you will travel on an express(way), from Benin to Warri, express(way), from Benin to Abuja, still express(way)! Without a doubt, Edo State is a great beneficiary of the Federal Government.”

Maku also requested that all Nigerians keep an open mind on the performance of the Jonathan administration calling on supporters and critics to follow the Ministerial Platform closely so that they would make informed choices and assured that the nation’s democracy is still on course.

“Even if you support us (Jonathan administration” or you are a critic, keep an open mind and follow the facts,” Maku admonished. “So that when you arrive at your conclusion you would know why you have taken such position.”

The ministerial platform, according to the Minister of Information is “designed to promote national conversation and good governance” was attended by the media, organised civil society, the private sector, professional guilds, and organised labour to “make the national conversation on the nation’s development process fully participatory”.

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