FG signs MOU transferring ownership of Marina State House to Lagos Government

The Federal and Lagos State Governments on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding formally transferring ownership of the State House, Marina to the State Government with a promise by the state that it would not compromise its structural integrity while preserving the architectural finesse and beauty.
Speaking at the ceremony, which took place at the main conference room in Marina, the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello, who led the State officials, including State Executive Committee members, said the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will ensure it becomes a tourist destination.
Bello stressed that the edifice will become one which residents of Lagos and Nigerians in general would not only be proud of, but which compares to similar ones in distant locations, assuring Lagosians that the State will put the edifice to the best and most judicious use.
He added that the State Government would ensure that it is perfectly transformed without compromising its structural integrity and preserving its architectural finesse and beauty.
“The successful handover of the structure represents one of the landmarks of the City of Lagos and an eloquent testimony to the new dawn of politics of tolerance and inclusiveness which the All Progressives Congress has brought to the Nigerian landscape,” he added.
The SSG on behalf of Ambode, the government and the people of the state expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his statesman like gesture in the approval of the release of the edifice to the Lagos State Government.
He also applauded the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for ensuring that the handover process became realisable, and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), for his untiring assistance to ensure the success of this event.
Bello said: “The list of appreciation will be incomplete without mentioning the Permanent Secretary in the State House, Abuja, Mr. Jalal Arabi, with whom I co-chaired the committee that midwifed the handover process for the painstaking job.
“Same goes for all the directors and top staffers in the Presidency with whom officials of the State Government worked. Mr. Arabi and his team have been very supportive forthcoming and painstaking in the last couple of months since we commenced this exercise by ensuring that nothing is left out. We are indeed very grateful to you and your team.”
Speaking earlier, Arabi, who described the occasion as a solemn one because of the emotional attachment that most of the staff have towards the complex, said they are happy it was a smooth transition process.
He said the several months of perfecting the transfer of the ownership was a family discussion, which was devoid of any bitter feelings expressing delight that he and his team carried out the directives of Mr. President concerning the handover of the edifice and ensuring that all the equipments and properties were not removed.
He described President Muhammadu Buhari as a statesman who believes that his word should always be his bond, adding this explains his insistence that his promise to the State Government must be kept.
The event featured a ceremonial handover of the keys to the building and the symbolic takeover by the State Government officials, led by the SSG.
The Lagos State team to the event included the Commissioners for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Seye Oladejo; Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal; Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Lola Akande; Special Adviser on Tourism and Culture, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola; Special Adviser on Urban Development, Yewande Onabule; and and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Engineer Olujimi Hotonu.