Tobias Sylvester
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola claims that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari brought improvements to the country.
During an interview with Channels Television, Babatunde Fashola said the feedback received from Nigerians indicates that Buhari’s administration made things better than it met it in 2015 when they assumed office.
According to him, the outgoing administration effected changes that have impacted the economy positively, thus fulfilling the 2015 change mantra of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He provided an assessment of Presient Buhari’s tenure which is coming to an end on May 29, highlighting the significant reduction in travel time for Nigerians due to road infrastructure projects undertaken by the government.
The Minister stated that on average, travel time has decreased by approximately 55 percent, resulting in a positive impact on the economy as the cost of travel has also decreased.
Fashola said, “I think it is a very difficult place to self-assess, but I think that from the feedback that we get from those we serve, clearly, the feedback is encouraging and it indicates that things have moved in a better direction from where we picked it up and that means that we have moved the needle.
“We made things better than they were and we lived our mantra of change in that sense.
“Travel time, for example, on some of the major roads when we did a survey about a year and a half ago has generally on average reduced by about 55 percent.
“Subject to the inflation and cost of living increases being experienced, we also saw that cost of travel had dropped by about 55 percent around the same period when we did the survey and that is good news for the economy.”
Speaking on Buhari’s anti-corruption drive, Fashola revealed that a considerable portion of recovered looted funds has been channeled into infrastructure projects.
He emphasized that the fight against corruption encompasses more than just arresting and prosecuting suspects but also entails making proper use of the recovered funds.
“I tell people that this anti-corruption crusade is not all about arresting and jailing people. It is not also about the forfeiture of funds alone. It is also what you choose to do with it (referring to looted funds),” he added.
When asked about his potential role in the incoming Bola Tinubu’s administration, said it is “extremely hypothetical” and expressed the need to provide opportunities for young people.
He cited historical examples of past ministers who took on their roles in their 30s, emphasizing the importance of injecting new capacity by giving younger generations a chance to serve.
“I think that is extremely hypothetical and when you look at it, I think you should go to our conference room and it will tell you the reason why I should not be here anymore,” he added.
“Just go and look at all of those who served from Shagari to Femi Okunnu, Obasanjo to Inuwa Wada, and Tafawa Balewa, they were in their 30s when they took this job.
“If we say really and truly that this is the time for young people and you don’t move the production line, how do you inject new capacity?,“Fashola said.
KanyiDaily recalls that Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, claimed that his principal is leaving a significant legacy of promoting free and fair elections in Nigeria.
