A Non-Governmental Organization, the Youth Advocacy Initiative (YAI), has taken a critical look at the performance of the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), and declared that he drives economy of the nation, saying he deserves to be supported and commended.
The NGO, in a statement signed by its Convener, Comrade Adekunle Akinde, said it was not then a surprise that the workaholic Minister has been passing Integrity Test Awards of an organization-the Campaign for Dignity in Governance under the leadership of a renowned public commentator and political analyst, Comrade Razaq Olokoba.
The CDG said it has subjected Fashola’s performance to integrity test over the years since he was the Governor of Lagos State and he has been scoring pass mark, disclosing that, “the exercise is a periodic event carried out throughout the year.”
Akinde said it is not a gainsaying that infrastructure development drives economy in any society, and Fashola’s effort towards that has practically moving the economy of Nigeria forward through construction of good road across the country.
Against this background, YAI has thank God for President Muhammadu Buhahi for choosing a goal getter like Fashola to handle a vital ministry for his administration, admonishing however that, the minister should not rest on his oars in his onerous task of taking the infrastructure development to the next level of global standard.
The NGO expressed the delight that even leadership of the opposition parties have also been giving kudos to the Minister on the brand new road networks across the country, the 2nd Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to mention a few examples of Fahola’s continuous achievements in office that have endeared him to the people.
Not that alone, the group reminded that, Fashola has also revived the National Housing Programme that was abandoned over the years with mortgage scheme that would guarantee affordable shelter for Nigerians, expressing the delights that, “the gangling Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Lagos State Governor is still matching on!
“There is no gainsaying that the performance of the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), in office is a success story. For keen observers, the Minister, since his time as governor of Lagos State, has not stopped being an all-round performer. This is the main reason some of us had never seen his present performance as a surprise.
“Throughout his period as super Minister with three portfolios, down to this period he is handling two ministries; his performance has never diminished but rather improving. In fact, we can say that, God loves President Muhammadu Buhari by blessing him with Fashola. He has been a big plus to this administration. Little wonder people of goodwill congratulated the President on returning Fashola to his cabinet for a second term the other time.
“Fashola’s superlative performance has been adding credibility to President Buhari’s administration. And as a non-profitable organization, we exude the confidence to praise when necessary and knock when the need arises. Our actions and activities are not dictated by pecuniary consideration. That is where our credibility lies,” the group declared.
It went further to observe that, President Buhari himself is highly pleased with Fashola because of his (Buhari’s) insatiable appetite for infrastructure development like, good road networks, durable bridges, functional rail system, stable power supply, airports, affordable but solid houses, and working refineries among others.
The president, the statement could not hide his joy for having someone who fits the bill with an enviable track record at the helms of infrastructure development, someone of good track records like Fashola fits the bill to handle greater parts of the job.
The icing on the cake, according to the group, is the hand of fellowship the Federal Government through Fashola extended to campuses of tertiary institutions where not less than 43 benefited from good road network.
The group express satisfaction with this gesture to the campuses, Buhari has proven beyond any reasonable doubt that, he is a true father of all, a student friendly leader and lover of the youth, stating that, the perennial restiveness among the youth would be reduced drastically as good roads would allow them to go about their educational businesses smoothly.
