FG Hands Over State House, Marina to Lagos Govt

While governor Akinwunmi Ambode signed on behalf of the state, minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola represented the federal government.

After a long period of negotiation and wait, the federal government has completed the process of officially handing over the Presidential Lodge of the State House in Marina to the Lagos State government.

There was signing and exchange of documents between the two parties in Abuja on Tuesday.

While governor Akinwunmi Ambode signed on behalf of the state, minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola represented the federal government.

Fashola himself, was a former governor of Lagos State and pursued the transfer of the property during his eight years in power.

In 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari agreed to over the Presidential Lodge in Marina to the Lagos State government, but it took another one year before all I(s) are dotted and T(s) crossed.

The State House, built before Independence in 1960 had housed several Presidents and Military Heads of State, before the relocation of the nation’s capital to Abuja.

“We are delighted to be here on a historic day that finalises the intention of President Buhari to bring positive change to Lagos.

“We thank the President that approved that the presidential lodge be released to Lagos State.We have been trying for 20 years.” Ambode said.

On his part, Fashola said the journey of almost two decade has finally come to an end.

“We are here to sign and exchange documents which formally vest the Presidential Lodge in Marina in the Lagos State Government in fulfillment of the commitment and promise yet by President Buhari.

“This is a long journey that has come to an end. It is a journey that has taken almost two decades when the state government continued to ask that this property be vested in it. For reasons difficult to understand, it did not happen.

SOURCE; BOUNCE NEW