(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/coat-of-arms2.gif) Dateline: Wednesday 29th May, 2013. The Lagos State Government commissioned the recently completed first cable bridge, linking the Ibeju-Lekki and the Ikoyi areas of the state.
While speaking at the occasion, Governor Babatunde Fashola praised the ingenuity and statesmanship of late President, Umar Shehu Yar'Adua whom he noted contributed to the realization of the project.
The Governor said the late President's disposition as statesman, rather than politician, accelerated the completion of the bridge, saying that, "Yar'Adua is the first builder of this bridge." He noted that, when the design of the bridge was shown to him (Fashola), it was obvious that four properties would have to give way at the Ikoyi end. Two of them belonged to the Federal Government and these became subjects of litigation between the state and the Federal governments.
He said despite apprehension by his cabinet that the project would be scuttled by the government at the Centre; he entertained no fear as he approached the Late President.
According to Fashola, "When I showed the late President the design, and told him what we wanted from him, he simply picked up his intercom and invited the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed to join the meeting. He told the SGF; "There is this bridge in conception by the Lagos State Government. It will affect some properties over which we have a dispute with the state government in court, please without prejudice to the outcome of the case, release the two properties to them. Our political difference cannot stand in the way of our people's development". That was President Yar'Adua as a statesman, not a politician. He also released our seized fund".
Governor Fashola also commended Alhaji Ahmed Yayale for implementing the Late President's decision on the properties. He also thanked those who voluntarily removed their properties to pave way for the construction of the bridge.
He declared that there will be a toll fee for motorists who make use of the bridge. But the fees will depend on the category of the vehicles. He however stated that commercial motorcycles, known as Okada, commercial tricycles, trailers and commercial buses would not be allowed on the bridge. By opening the new bridge for traffic it is expected that, the bottlenecks often experienced in the area would be eliminated and that travel times would be greatly reduced.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria