The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealed on Thursday the state’s intention to launch a commercial airline.
The declaration was made on Thursday as part of a thorough presentation outlining the achievements of the administration in the western part of Lagos during the Lagos West Senatorial District People’s Town Hall Meeting.
Additionally, the state government is gearing up to commence the construction of a new airport in Lekki.
Governor Sanwo-Olu mentioned that the proposal for a state-owned airport has been under consideration for several months, and the state is in the final stages of determining the financing model for the project.
When questioned about why a sizable state like Lagos has not yet established a commercial airline, Sanwo-Olu explained that the plan is currently in progress.
“Over the last five months, the Deputy Governor and I have been working to put a concise plan together for the establishment of an airline, but we did not make the plan open because of the need to get adequate knowledge about the operational procedures of airlines.
“The business plan is viable and there is no issue about financing. The conversation has gone to an advanced stage but we need to get the proper information on operations before we go ahead to implement the plan,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor also indicated that the commencement of the long-anticipated construction of the 37km Fourth Mainland Bridge is scheduled for the end of March or April.
Sanwo-Olu said, “We’ve done extensive work on the bridge but we are at the crossroads of where to get real financing for that kind of project we need to be very creative but thank God that we have reached the last point of the construction.
“Our commitment is that within this first quarter, meaning that by the end of March or April, we should break grounds to start the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge.
“It is going to be built in phases; phase one will be from the Junction at Abraham Adesanya to the Waterfront that we have at Badore.
“I am using this opportunity to say that we have done extensive study, so we cannot get a new road without having to do a little bit of discomfort but we will ensure that we will compensate everybody that their properties or businesses will be disturbed by this construction. So, it is going to be along the existing corridors and a few buildings will be touched.”
He mentioned that both occupants and property owners of the affected buildings would receive appropriate compensation.