Ministerial Screening: Fashola Dazzles Nigerian Senate

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Mr. Babatunde Fashola, former Governor of Lagos State has said he did not corruptly enrich himself during his tenure in office as governor of the state.

Fashola said this while responding to questions on the controversial N78 million personal website deal executed under his administration, from Senators at the Nigerian Senate chamber in Abuja.

According to him, even his critics did not accuse him of corruptly enriching himself in the controversial deal.

"I don't award contracts because there is a tenders board in place. They do market survey to get the price benchmark for these things. There is a process and we have consultants who check these things periodically. Nobody has alleged that I have corruptly enriched myself."

Explaining further on the controversy, Fashola said suspicion arises wherever money is involved, even among brothers.

Asked to state his concept of loyalty, the former governor described loyalty as a strange concept, saying "I have always prayed that may our loyalty never be tested, because if tested, you may be asked to take a bullet for your son.

I pray that my loyalty should not be tested. In my public life, I have had cause to be loyal to causes I believe in.

The former governor told the senate the success of Lagos state is a team work.

He also spoke on Police decentralization being a must.

Other Points include:

• Encourage diversification of economy through productivity.

• Concept of loyalty is a very strange one. If tested you may be asked to take a bullet for your son.

• Nigerians invest more money outside the country.

• Nobody has said I have corruptly enriched myself.

• I don't sign cheques or fix prices.

• Nigeria should take loans that will grow the economy.