Missing $20bn can build 10 Burj Khalifa ─ Fashola

The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, on
Thursday said the $20bn allegedly declared
missing under President Goodluck Jonathan’s
watch can build 10 Burj Khalifa in Dubai, reputed
to be the tallest building in the world.
Fashola, who said this during the All Progressives
Congress campaign rally in the Epe area of the
state, added that corruption and diversion of public
funds had retarded the nation’s economic growth
and transformation.
He said, “Rather than develop strategies that would
improve the economy, the current administration
inflicted pains on the citizens.
“The Burj Khalifa building in Dubai was built with $
1.5bn to arrest the attention of the world. This
administration has lost $20bn. The money lost by
the current administration could be used to build
10 of the structure.
“We are the only oil producing country that is
importing oil products. They spent over N2tn to
import petrol.”
The party’s governorship candidate, Akinwunmi
Ambode, promised to create a new city in Epe
town by completing an airport project initiated by
Fashola.
Noting that electricity had been the major problem
of the area, Ambode promised to tackle it
holistically to enhance the economic prosperity of
residents and also re-ignite the social lives of the
people.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing the Lagos
East Senatorial District, Senator Gbenga Ashafa,
has said the APC candidates for the legislative
seats in both state and national levels will
consolidate on the gains made presently if elected.
Ashafa, who was also in the Epe rally, added that
the candidates contesting for legislative seats in
the state were the best.
He said if all the APC candidates were elected, it
would be possible for the party governorship
candidate to complete Fashola’s projects and
initiate new ones.
Also present were a former Speaker of the Lagos
Assembly, Jokotola Pelumi, members of the
Akinwunmi Ambode Kommittee of Friends and
other government officials.