In line with his commitment to bring the desired changes to governance and enthrone a conducive environment for both citizens and investors into Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has in the past few days, embarked on flag off of massive roads constructions across Lagos State.
This is contained in a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Gboyega Akosile, made available to OpenLife.
First, it was jubilation galore as residents of the Victoria Island-Oniru axis came out on Wednesday to witness the official flag off of the Victoria Island-Oniru axis road upgrading project by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The project, which is being executed through Public Infrastructure Improvement Partnership (PIIP) arrangement”, was conceived and conceptualised four months ago by Planet Projects at the instance of Access Bank Plc, the major partner.
The aim was to improve the traffic linkage and travel time around the highly commercial axis of Victoria Island. It is believed that traffic congestion being experienced within the project area reduces productivity and discourage growth of businesses.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Mrs Aramide Adeoye, in her opening remarks, said the project is significant in a number of ways because it involves private sector participation, stressing that the private sector is seen as a critical partner in the growth and development of the economy Lagos State. Araoye said the private sector, which controls about eighty percent of the State’s Gross Domestic product is crucial in the government’s drive to bridging the infrastructure gap and to also build the smart city of our dream.
She said: “Access Bank has keyed into one of the ways to realize the state’s objective of making Lagos a 21st century economy by partnering with the State Government in Infrastructural upgrading of Oniru Network of roads under a Public Infrastructure Improvement Partnership (PIIP) arrangement.” While flagging off the project, Sanwo-Olu said the partnership was another “deliberate action” to solve traffic congestion and relieve Lagos residents of pain. He said: “This flag-off is another milestone we have achieved through partnership with the private sector to deliver projects that will directly impact lives.
“We came to this area about 4 months ago at a presentation at Four Points and we told our partners that immediately the rain subsides, we would come back and start with the development of the Oniru into Victoria Island from Lekki. I’m happy that within the short time frame, a lot of work has been done. We are here being the 3rd of December, and, with the stoppage of the rains, work can now start immediately. For me, my colleagues and our partners, it is a strong point that we deliver on our commitments. I want to assure you that we will deliver all the commitments we’ve made. So, I’m happy that we can tell everybody in this corridor that we are back here. Work will start in earnest.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that the flag off of the project is a validation of his administration’s commitment to regenerate, upgrade and develop the entire Victoria Island and Oniru axis. He appealed to the residents to cooperate with the contractors, saying the project construction might come with some pains but assured that the citizens would reap the full benefits of it in a matter of months.
The Governor said the project will be completed in six months. He also praised Access Bank for supporting the government to regenerate the Oniru-Victoria Island-Lekki circulation and bringing good traffic modulation and flow to the axis.
Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Hubert Wigwe, said the financial institution entered into the partnership to promote socio-economic growth of the State and enhance residents’ productivity. Wigwe, who was represented by the Executive Director, Mr. Victor Etoko, said the Bank remained committed to help Lagos Government delivering infrastructure that will be economically sustainable.
Giving details of the construction work, Planet Projects Managing Director, Mr. Biodun Otunola, said the project would lead to the construction of Alaba Oniru Road, Akingbolagbe Road to Muri Okunola Roundabout. He added there would be regeneration of seven junctions prone to traffic on the axis. Otunola estimated the total length of the construction work to be 1.8 kilometres, stressing that the construction would be purely concrete to ensure durability. He added that the materials to be used would be sourced locally. He listed road improvement, junction improvement work, traffic system management measures and classification of roads as 1-way street as part of the proposed solutions in the project.
In a similar vein, a crowd of joyous residents of Ikorodu in Lagos State on Wednesday trooped out to receive Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was in the area to flag off massive rehabilitation and expansion of major roads. Accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and members of the State’s cabinet, Sanwo-Olu formally kicked off the upgrading and reconstruction of Owutu-Agric-Isawo, Bola Tinubu-Igbogbo-Imota and Itamaga-Ijede roads, giving the residents the feeling of long sought relief. The three road projects, which are expected to be completed in next 20 months, are being handled by Messrs Hitech Construction Company and Arab Contractor.
The 11.9 kilometres Ijede Road stretches from Ewu Elepe to Ijede town, cutting across four local councils and 37 communities. Governor Sanwo-Olu awarded contract for the construction of the first phase of the road, which covers 6.05 kilometres from Itamaga to Ewu Elepe town. Also, the Governor officially flagged off the construction of the first phase of Owutu-Agric-Isawo Road, covering 7.8 kilometres and cutting across eight communities. It is being upgraded to a dual carriageway.
Sanwo-Olu said: “Today’s event is remarkable not just for me personally, but for my Government and the people of Ikorodu who will directly benefit from this project. The flag-off of these projects is the beginning of the much needed relief we are bringing to our people on this axis. “We are here today to fulfil the promise we made during campaign. These promises are now being translated to reality, because we have the construction of these roads. We have ensured that we deploy competent and reliable contractors to design and deliver the projects on agreed date.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu described Ikorodu as critical component of the Lagos project, assuring residents that his administration remained committed to reviving infrastructure in the Division. “Ikorodu is critical and important to our agenda towards delivering Greater Lagos. This is why I personally created the time to come and flag off these projects,” Sanwo-Olu said. The Governor said the projects were not being done to score cheap political point; rather, he said his Government considered them as right of the people who had been longing to benefit from dividends of governance.
After the completion of the first phase of the project, Sanwo-Olu assured that the Government would not delay the construction of the second phase.
The road projects, the Governor disclosed, would create a chain of job opportunities for residents living around the sites, pointing out that the contractors had agreed to engage community members in informal work and supply of materials. Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, said apart from bringing relief to the residents, the projects would also eliminate problem of flooding on the axis and improve social-economic wellbeing.
She said: “These projects are being carried out to improve road connectivity, ease traffic flow, reduce travel time, enhance intermodal transportation services and safety of lives and property. They will be designed to eliminate perennial flooding, enhance property value and socio-economic wellbeing of the people.”
She appealed to the residents to cooperate with the contractors and be patient as work progresses on the projects, noting that there would be inconveniences in the course of the construction exercise. When completed, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Jimi Hotonu, said the Owutu-Agric-Isawo and Ijede-Ewu Elepe Roads will have array of streetlights, bicycle lanes and other facilities to give residents comfort.
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