The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said the state at this trying time requires empathy and support from the Federal Government in rebuilding the damaged public infrastructures during recent unrest in the state.
“We wish to call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to come to the aid of Lagos state at a trying time like this to successfully re-build and restore our dear state in a record time,” the party’s spokesman, Seye Oladejo said in a statement Tuesday.
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He disclosed that the transport sector alone lost 27 of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicles that cost $200,000 each and another set of 57 that cost $100,000 each, all totalling about N3.9 billion.
The APC spoke in response to the earlier statement by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the statement credited to the state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, that the state would require N1tr to rebuild the infrastructures lost to recent violence in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest in the state.
The PDP said the N1tr, which Sanwo-Olu mentioned, amounted to over costing and a bogus estimate of the cost needed to rebuild the burnt public property.
But the APC defended the governor, saying the cost was arrived at after the tour embarked upon by the Governor to assess the level of the damage.
“We opine that the estimate could at the end of the day be found to be hasty and conservative with a careful consideration of the present cost of reconstruction, revamping and regeneration of these public utilities,” the APC said.
The party reiterated that the present time remains “inappropriate and insensitive time to play idle politics with an incident that has thrown the entire state into mourning as a result of avoidable loss of lives and properties.”
“We, as a responsible and responsive party, commiserate with the good people and government of our state.
“While not preempting the findings of the commission of enquiry already set up, we condemn all acts of omission or commission that might have directly or indirectly contributed to this national tragedy.
“We acknowledge the characteristic swift and decisive response of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu who continues to stand firm in the face of tremendous pressure to uphold his oath of office to protect the lives and property of all Lagosians,” Oladejo said.
The party said the long list of destroyed public and private properties in Lagos state include; Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government secretariat; Palace of the Oba of Lagos; Lagos High Court, Igbosere; Oyingbo BRT terminus; Ojodu Berger BRT terminus; Vehicle Inspection Office, Ojodu Berger; Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Ojodu Berger; Lagos City Hall and Circle Mall, Lekki; numerous luxury shops in Surulere, The Nation Newspaper, TVC and Shoprite Lekki.
According to the police, the 25 stations burnt in Lagos were Orile, Amukoko, Layeni, Ilasamaja, Ikotun, Ajah, Igando, Elemoro, Makinde, Onipanu, Ebute Ero, Pen-Cinema, Isokoko, Alade, Cele, Igbo Elerin, Shibiri, Gbagada, Onilekere, Makoko, Daleko, Asahun, Makinyo, Amuwo-Odofin, Anti-Kidnapping, Surulere. Other police stations that were vandalised but not burnt were Ojo, Ojodu, Mowo, PPL and Morogbo.
“We find it distasteful that the opposition PDP would rather mindlessly condemn and contest a mere estimate to restore our state as soon as possible.
“PDP in Lagos state, after two decades in opposition, ought to have developed a template for responsible opposition.
“It’s also germane to gauge the mood of the people before mocking the dead and the wanton losses.
“Our people deserve emphathy and understanding from all and sundry.
“We wish to call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to come to the aid of Lagos state at a trying time like this to successfully re-build and restore our dear state in a record time,” the APC added.
The party urged all Lagosians to rally round the government, embrace unconditional peace and commence the process of far reaching healing.
