Lagos — Contrary to the earlier speculation of its financial commitment in purchasing the Sunburn Yatch Hotel, Lagos state government yesterday dismissed the rumour, stating that it did not commit a dime of taxpayers' monies to the yatch.

Special Adviser to Governor Raji Fashola on Governor's Office, Mr. Sunny Ajose, made this clarification last night at a press briefing held at the State House in Ikeja.

Ajose, who was accompanied at the conference, by the Attorney-General of the state and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olasupo Sasore, and Managing Director of Diamond Capital, Mr. Tony Onwu, said further meetings between Diamond Bank and their customers concerning the Sunborn Yacht "will still be convened at a later date to finally resolve some issues surrounding the hotel."

Owu confirmed that the state government did not commit the state funds to the investment that "has brought the project (Sunborn Hotel Yatch) this far".

He explained that the project was a private enterprise between Diamond Capital Limited and its business customers against the speculation that the government of Lagos state had committed taxpayers' monies into the project.

He said: "We, Lagos state government officials, Diamond Bank and Diamond Capital Limited representatives, have just finished a meeting chaired by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola at which we discussed several issues relating to the commencement of operations of Sunborn Yatch Hotel.

"As you know, Lagos state government and the taxpayers in the state do not have any financial commitment or otherwise to the entire investment that has brought the project this far. We are grateful to Governor Fashola for his wise counsel in ensuring that protection of what is a private enterprise between Diamond Capital Limited and its business customers."

He therefore expressed confidence in the programmes of the Fashola Administration aimed at "ensuring conducive environment for commercial enterprise in Lagos state," adding "We look forward to working with Lagos state in actualising this dream."