LAWMAKER COMMENDS BUHARI FOR CHOOSING FASHOLA MINISTER OF POWER, HOUSING AND WORKS

A Lagos lawmaker, Mr Bisi Yusuff (APC-Alimosho I), on Wednesday lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), as Minister in charge of Power, Housing and Works.

Yusuff spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos shortly after the new ministers were sworn-in in the President and assigned portfolios in Abuja.

He said that he was optimistic that the former Lagos State governor would drive change in the ministries with his spirit of excellence.

The lawmaker said that Nigerians had waited much than to be given anything less than excellence

He said that President Buhari had taken his time to select best hands capable of driving the 'change agenda' and assign them portfolios.

"All effort must be made to improve the socio-economic life of the people; the new ministers, I believe, will not fail the nation."

Yusuff, who urged the ministers to also give periodic account of their stewardship to the people, appealed to Nigerians to be patient with them.

Another Lagos lawmaker, Mr Setonji David (APC-Badagry II), urged the ministers to work round the clock to improve the living condition of the masses.

"There are many expectations from the people, I don't have any doubt that the crop of leaders chosen by the President will certainly deliver."

David, who congratulated Fashola, said that everyone needed to be committed to the ideals that were of interest to the poor masses, rather the selfish interests.

"They cannot afford to fail the poor masses who are looking up to them for salvation.

The lawmaker advised Fashola to lift his ministry to excellence and make effort to improve infrastructure that was central to the needs of the people.

Also speaking, Mr Segun Olulade (APC-Epe II), advised the ministers to swing into action to complement the efforts of the President.

The lawmaker said that Nigerians were expecting a lot from them and should not be disappointed.

Olulade urged the ministers to see themselves as privileged to be selected among several other people who were willing to be in the positions they occupied.

"The primary allegiance of the new ministers is to the people of the Nigeria, irrespective of creed and colour; they must be dedicated to the service of the state and transparency.

“The nation requires hard thinking solutions to develop befitting infrastructure, which will cater for the masses,” he said.

Also speaking to NAN, the National Chairman of National Conscience Party (NCP) Dr Yunusa Tanko, urged the ministers to make Nigerians proud.

"We congratulate all the ministers, now is the time for them to work; now that the ministries have been reduced.

He said that the way the ministers were assigned portfolios would reduce the cost of governance.

Tanko said that the portfolio given to Fashola was because of his previous achievements in Lagos.

He expressed optimism that bad roads across the country would be looked into, and the problems in the power sector as well as housing nationwide would be addressed.

Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, the Presidential Candidate of the KOWA Party in the 2015 polls also advised the ministers to work for the betterment of the people.

"All that matters now, I believe, is that the ministers must work to improve our lives.

"It does not matter what names the ministries are called,"Sonaiya said.

Alhaji Musa Umar, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Kano State Chapter, said he believed the ministers would justify the portfolios given them.

"Yes, for some, we know the work load will overwhelm them, but we believe they are up to the task.

"We believe they will make us proud looking back at their achievements," Umar said.

The Secretary of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) Mr Sam Onimisi, however, said the merger of the Ministries of Power, Works and Housing was "unwieldy".