Lagos state government to set up own airline

The Lagos State Government has mulled the idea of establishing an airline for passenger operations, while what was being considered as at the time of this report is Nigerian Government’s approval and operational contingency for the airline.

Penpushing reports that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this known at the Lagos West Senatorial District People’s Town Hall Meeting, where he rendered stewardship and presented a catalogue of achievements recorded by his administration in the district.

The government in a statement explained that it is preparing to commence the construction of the airport in Lekki, adding that  a former permanent secretary and retired auditor general for local government in Lagos, Muhammed Hassan, noted that the state was ripe to own an airline.

Penpushing further reports the Governor in response, pointed out that the plan had been in the pipeline for months, with the state already finalising the financing model for the project, stressing that his administration was awaiting Nigerian government approval and operational contingency for the airline.

The Governor said the input from the public was necessary to guide his government’s decision on planned programmes and interventions before their implementation, a development which drew commendations from the citizens, who attended the town hall meeting held at Balmoral Convention Centre on Sheraton Link Road, Ikeja.

Penpushing also reports that at the meeting, Sanwo-Olu while listing projects and interventions taken in Lagos West, pointed out that his administration had completed and opened 42 new roads projects and two flyovers in the district, with the combined length of the infrastructure spanning over 72 kilometres.

The Governor explained that the last four and half years had seen Lagos state taking a leap forward in its socio-economic and development trajectory, emphasizing that  he was resolute in doubling his efforts to keep the state on the sustainable growth path as his second term progresses.

“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’, he said.

‘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’, Sanwo-Olu added.

‘In Lagos West Senatorial District, infrastructure development has been our priority since we came in. Over the last four years, we have completed over 70 kilometres of new roads and over two kilometres of bridges.

‘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.”

Penpushing reports that he assured Lagosians that his administration would raise the pace of its development strides, as he pledged to double the efforts to deliver twice the number of projects and programmes achieved in his first term.

The Governor stated that the senatorial district was also the major beneficiary of the intra-city railway development projects of his administration, with Lagos West hosting major passenger hubs of Blue Line and Red Line trains.

Penpushing further reports that Sanwo-Olu pointed out that the new general hospital being constructed by his administration in Ojo was at an advanced stage of development, boasting that its completion would further improve health care access in the district.

The Governor explained that to further enhance security and safety in Lagos state his administration would be releasing additional patrol vehicles and work gadgets to raise surveillance and capacity of security agencies to respond to emerging threats.

The Governor encouraged the citizens to be law-abiding and support measures introduced by the government to maintain law and order, stressing that it would not be enough to enforce obedience to laws, adding that the government would ensure laws are fair and just to all.

‘We are in talks with you, the citizens, today because we believe the government does not know it all. The feedback and inputs we are taking away from here will help us to cater for your needs and wellbeing better. On our part, we will strive to make it easier for you to be law-abiding. It is not enough to say the laws must be obeyed, we must also ensure that the laws are clear, fair and just’, he said

‘When people break the law and don’t do the right thing, they make governance a lot more difficult for us. We must discharge our civic responsibility and fulfil our obligations as citizens. When we do this, it reduces the cost of governance and saves resources that will enable us do a lot more. While we appreciate your suggestions, we are also encouraging you to ensure that all citizens do the right thing at all times.”

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