Ministerial screening: How Fashola dissolved senators’ questions

 

Former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola showed the class he is made of on Wednesday as the senate screened him for ministerial appointment.

He took the questions one by one from the senator and dissolved it. Senator Egwu questioned Fashola on reparation of destitutes.

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In his response, Fashola told the senate that there were correspondences between Lagos State Government and government of where the destitutes were repatriated to. He said most of these destitutes were rehabilitated by Lagos government before they were taken back to their state of origin. 

According to him, the destitutes signified their intention to go back home before Lagos State Government took the decision to do so. However he apologized to whosoever the state government might have offended with the action.

Fashola also cleared the air on N78m website, adding “I don’t fix contract prices, it is an institutional process. The only training I have is that of a lawyer, but in order to execute works on a project we need the input of architect, quantity surveyors, structural engineer and we have consulting ministries; for civil works it is the Ministry of Works, for science it is the Ministry of Science and Technology among others.

Now periodically, they do market surveys with the Ministry of Economic Planning , the Statisticians are there to fix prices from biro to Iron rod to cement it is approved and it becomes the  benchmark price of government procurement, nobody can award any other contract over that benchmark.”
The unfortunate things about money is that it often raises suspicions even among brothers.

Nobody have alleged that I have corruptly enriched myself, I could not be the master of computers and technology, I need something to do my work or award contracts.

On what he will manage Abuja if he eventually becomes the Minister of FCT, He said, “My Knowledge of Abuja is not as deep as my knowledge of Lagos. I have lived in Lagos all my life.”
On just dispensation of justice he said, “If we are afraid of abuse, start the state police. Not every state should start if it can't be funded.”
“We are under policed based on statistics and my recommendation is decentralization.”
“As governor I felt responsible for every citizen that was robbed.”
“Security remains the primary but toughest job a leader can have; It was a competition.”
“Government exists to protect citizens and their assets therefore criminals are my competitors.”
“Online Technology is a very versatile tool for tax collection... moving to it would be important.”
“Before we increase taxes we must optimize the capacity to receive what is in place.”
“Our Work in Lagos was a Team Effort, I won't appropriate personal responsibility for the Good Work.”

Fashola's originality at the floor of the senate

•"The concept of loyalty is a very strange one. My prayer is that 'may our loyalties never be tested."

•"Nobody has alleged that I wrongly enriched myself"

•'I have remained loyal to causes I signed to. I stand by my word'

•"Nobody can fairly accuse me of giving my word and going back on my word"

•"The unfortunate thing about money is that it raises suspicion, even among brothers"

•"Government should not get involved in needless disputes"

•''The choices we make define the result we get''

•'This Nation has a lot of money outside its borders. Nigerians are investing more abroad'

•"Those who want to benefit from the commonwealth must contribute to the common purse"

•''The consequence to making the promises is the right to accountability".

•''The right to freedom is not absolute. It carries responsibility of not to be a nuisance''