Yesterday, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode asserted that he was totally committed to finishing the ongoing Lagos-Badagry Expressway expansion project before the end of 2019.
After embarking on an inspection of ongoing projects across the state, the Governor explained to journalists that the project was a major economic catalyst for Lagos State and it would eventually boost economic activities, real estate value and tourism in the area when finally completed.
“On the part of the Government, it is imperative that the project is accelerated and completed on schedule. It is a 10-lane expansion project with a provision for rail,” he said.
Ambode said that though the project was awarded to Okokomaiko, his administration was almost at a financial close in giving it to a concessionaire who is expected to extend the project from Okokomaiko to Seme Border.
“We believe strongly that the contractor has done a good job here. We have given him the right of way and it is our belief that the one that has been awarded should be completed on schedule. I am committed to this project; I am committed to the expansion of the economy of the East axis of Lagos. That is the surest way to go.”
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He recalled that he had seized the opportunity to seal a deal with APM Terminals for the commencement of work on the $2.6billion Badagry Deep Sea, hence it was important for the road networks to be completed on time so as to accommodate the forthcoming increase in economic activities within the axis.
Governor Ambode expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project while inspecting the stretch of link road from Agbelekale off Ekoro Road to Abesan Estate via Church Street, Giwa and Aboru, but charged the contractor and supervisors to ensure the delivery of the project within the first quarter of 2017. He said the bridge being constructed as part of the project had to be extended from 240meters to 360meters due to the nature of the soil in the area.
“Like the contractor has promised, we hope to finish this project by the end of January next year. We have also found out that we need to extend this bridge by an additional 120 meters because of the nature of the soil in this area. I had earlier promised that this project would be delivered by the end of this year but I’m pleased with the progress being made on this project. I want to urge the contractors and the supervisors to ensure that we meet the completion date and that within the first quarter of next year, all the people in Alimosho will enjoy this facility,” he said.
At Irede Road, Abule Oshun in Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Governor Ambode expressed displeasure with the state of the road, assuring that work would start on the road within the next four weeks.
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“I have come personally to see it and I have received complaints from people of this community. I also see that the economic value that we stand to benefit from upgrading this road is unquantifiable”.
“Beyond the fact that we will open up the road to the Lagos Badagry Expressway, we also intend to expand our housing policy and the rent-to-own scheme to this neighborhood. So, I’ll like to just clearly state that work would commence on Irede Road within the next four weeks,” he said.
Briefing the Governor on the housing plan for the area, the Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, said a 30 hectare land at Ado Trade Fair had already been designated for a 500 Housing Units which would be constructed in partnership with the private sector.
Source: The Nation
