· Governor cancels Lagos beautification project and countdown concert despite negative impact for tourism economy
The hour inches closer for Lagosians to accept the bitter truth; Governor Akinwumi Ambode isn’t half the administrator and socialite that his predecessor, Babatunde Fashola was. Every step he has taken since he assumed office as Lagos governor has been impeded by his desperation to measure up to Fashola.
But for the citizenry and opposition party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s outrage, Lagos would have been completely taken over by armed robbers even as the state plunges into the squalor of maddening vehicular traffic. While Lagos descended into chaos, Ambode girded his loins to reveal the shortcomings and alleged atrocities of his predecessor thus demystifying and unmanning Fashola, in a move pundits described as ‘too petty’ and unbecoming of a progressive administrator and politician.
It is an open secret that even though Fashola is a practicing Muslim, the former governor of Lagos never shied away from beautifying Lagos with interior and exterior decorations characteristic of every social, religious and political season.
Thus every Yuletide, Lagos was usually a sight for sore eyes during Fashola’s tenure as governor – this is because he ensured that the citizenry and visitors to the state experienced the euphoria of the festive season by decorating major public places in the state to everyone’s delight.
There is no gainsaying the Christmas and New Year celebrations are world famous celebrations and annual events that attracted tourists from around the world to admire and experience the beauty of Lagos in the festive season.
The uniqueness of the Yuletide celebration has made Rivers State an enjoyable tourist attraction via the Calabar Carnival. Lagos on the other hand, was not left out in the race for revenue via tourism during every Yuletide as the State Government, under Fashola, sought to captivate visiting tourists by beautifying public parks, junctions, architectural and cultural monuments in the state.
The contract of the state’s beautification which was usually awarded to Ibidun Ajayi whose magic touch made many gasp in wonderment; from the statue of Jesus which was normally spotted around 7up to the lighted palm trees which dotted CMS, Marina, Lagos Island, Kingsway and Ikoyi Falomo roundabout, Ikoyi, passers-by had cause to marvel but all these had been brought to a halt by Governor Ambode despite the obvious losses the state will incur in tourism revenue.
Not only did Ambode call off the beautification of Lagos, he also canceled the Lagos countdown event, a concert conceived by his immediate predecessor, Fashola, which intent was to map Lagos as one of the fastest growing megacities in the world and an avenue for the good people of Lagos to have fun and make merry.
The governor it was gathered also called off the Christmas gifts of rice, oil and other gift that were usually given to the state’s civil servants during the Yuletide. Though no one can easily ascertain the mind of the governor at the moment, speculations abound that Governor Ambode is preparing Lagos for one of the bleakest Yuletides ever, due to the state and the country’s uninspiring economic situation.
