Wednesday, May 6, 2009
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Fashola Photo: THE SUN PUBLISHING |
At the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure these days, the workers consistently wear a cheerful mien. From the Special Adviser, Engr Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson, to other members of the ministry’s management and indeed the entire staff, workers in the ministry are in high spirits.
Their excitement is not far-fetched. They are delighted that, in the last two years, the ministry has done a yeoman’s job in helping Governor Fashola actualize his dream of turning Lagos into a world-class megacity.
“I am particularly grateful for the understanding of His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State who has provided the necessary wherewithal to attain this immeasurable standard to meet the challenges of the state as a mega city,” the man in charge of the ministry, Engr Johnson, noted.
Indeed, in matters of road construction and rehabilitation, even the political foes of the governor and his team will hardly deny them some credit. With photographs and telling data, Johnson told journalists at a ministerial press briefing last week how Fashola supported and empowered the ministry to ensure that Lagos roads and public buildings remain the cynosure of every eye.
The briefing was held to commemorate the ministry’s activities in the last two years. There, Johnson expressed satisfaction with what the Fashola administration has achieved since May 29, 2007, especially in the areas of road construction and rehabilitation as well as in the construction and maintenance of public buildings. In each local government area, the governor’s special adviser detailed some of the achievements of the ministry since the present administration assumed office two years ago.
In a bid to make life more comfortable for the residents of Agege Local Government area of the state, the ministry embarked on the rehabilitation of Humuani Adetona Street, Sodipo Street and Oniwaya Road. The projects are almost completed.
Besides the rehabilitation of old roads, Johnson informed that the government has also installed street lights and transformers in many parts of the local government. The old NRC building at Oko Oba area of the local government has also been rehabilitated for operatives of the state security outfit, the Rapid Response Squad.
In Ajeromi Ifelodun, the local government housing the popular slum, Ajegunle, Johnson said the Fashola administration has done a lot to ease the pains of the residents. Some of the government’s efforts, he noted, include the construction of nine roads and two bridges in the area. He stated further: “We have also embarked on the construction of Mobil Road expansion (which is 47% completed), construction of Wilmer Crescent with a bridge to link Cardoso at 65% completion stage, construction of Olumokun/Olayinka/Sanusi/Oduduwa with a bridge to link Amukoko at 57% completion stage, among others. There is also the construction of Magistrate Courts at Mba Cardoso Street, Ajegunle and a maternal child care centre.”
In Alimosho, the state government said it mapped out some projects to be carried out in four phases. Engr Johnson listed some of the projects in Phase 1 as the completion of the Abule-Egba–Ekoro – Agbelekale-Meiran Road and the de-flooding of Karimu Laka area through the construction of collector drain. The projects in this phase, he noted, are at 80% completion stage. The state government has also commenced the construction of Agodo Community Road, Shasha-Orisunmbare-Ejigbo Roads, Association Avenue - Ikotun Road, and Old Otta Road, among others. “These roads are designed to decongest traffic in Ejigbo, Idimu and Ikotun axis as well as the Abeokuta Expressway, while Karimu – Laka Bamisile collector drains will definitely ameliorate the perennial flooding of Egbeda,” the governor’s adviser stated.
Other projects in the area, he noted, are the rehabilitation of Irefun/Kufisile Street, rehabilitation of Modupe Ayoade Street and the upgrading of Olugbade/Wusamotu Oreagba and Transformer Streets. “All these projects will soon be completed,” he assured.
Recently, the state government commissioned the reconstructed Ago Palaceway Extension in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of the state. The road, once a single lane, has metamorphosed into a dual carriageway with a walkway and street light facilities. The state government is also working on the Odofin Bypass even as work is on-going at several roads within Kirikiri town.
In neighbouring Apapa where a Central Business District has been created, Johnson said the government is working hard to make life easier for the people. Among the road projects being handled by the state government in this area, he explained, are the upgrading and rehabilitation of Aerodrome Road, Calcutta Crescent and Duala Road, among others.
The government, Johnson said, is also working hard on its proposal to turn the Lagos-Badagry Expressway into a ten-lane carriageway. “In fulfilment of the promise of this administration to transform the Lagos-Badagry Express road to a super highway, the state government has just awarded Lot 1 which stretches from Eric Moore Road to Mile 2,” Johnson announced, promising that the two other lots would be awarded soon.
In Epe, the government has done a lot of work, said the man in charge of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure. Several roads have been rehabilitated, while the Agbowa/ Ago Owu Community High School has been totally rehabilitated. The government has also constructed magistrate courts in the local government.
“At Eti-Osa Local Government, the Ajah-Badore Road has been completed and dualised. The government has also completed the dualisation of Bourdillon, Alexander, Gerald and Osborne Roads in Ikoyi. Other roads being constructed in the area include Unity Road, Fola Osibo/ Emmanuel Cole Road, Idabo/Lekki Road and Okun/Ajah/Ogombo Road,” he said, adding that the state government is also constructing ferry terminals and buildings at Osborne, Ikoyi. The government has also installed street lights in many parts of Eti Osa.
Johnson, while speaking on the government’s activities in Ikeja, listed a number of roads, drainage channels and bridges being constructed. The government, he noted, has also designed additional projects aimed at easing traffic congestion in the area. For instance, the government intends to construct a fly-over from Allen Avenue to Aromire across the Obafemi Awolowo Way just as there will be a link bridge from Adeniyi Jones Street to Acme Road.
Within the last two years, Ikorodu Local Government has witnessed a lot of positive changes, Johnson said. Apart from the construction of many roads, magistrate courts, Oba’s palace and maternal health centre, the government is also constructing jetty terminals and buildings in the area.
“In Lagos Island, the government has also constructed new magistrate courts at Igbosere, reconstructed the Lagos City Hall, provided street lights and rehabilitated many roads,” he said.
He said that upon assumption of office in 2007, the Fashola administration listed some 37 roads and six pedestrian bridges for rehabilitation in phases in Lagos Mainland Local Government. Many of them, he said, have since been completed, while works on others are ongoing. In Mushin, the government says it’s working hard on 36 roads spread across the various wards of the local government. Of the roads, 19 are proposed for execution in 2009, 12 in 2010 and five in 2011.
Fashola’s developmental ship has also berthed at Ojo Local Government with the dualization of the Isheri-Iba-Ojo Road, construction of Shibiri Etegbin Road, Ajangbadi /Ilogbo/Elegba Road, Alasia-Aiyetoro Road, and many more.
In Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, the on-going construction of the Okota-Itire overhead link bridge and road work is one major project that will bring smiles to the faces of millions of Lagos residents when completed, according to Engr Johnson. “This project will link various communities in the western part of the axis such as Alimosho, Egbe, Ikotun, Ejigbo, Isolo, and Okota with those on the eastern side such as Ijesha Tedo, Itire, Mushin, Aguda, Lawson and Yaba. Upon completion, it will reduce travel time, running cost on vehicles and facilitate smooth transportation of commuters along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. Furthermore, the project will open up communities to increase economic activities and improved standard of living,” he stated.
Other local governments in the state, including Kosofe, Shomolu, Surulere and Yaba have also witnessed positive development with the state government touching millions of lives. In Johnson’s words, since May 2007, 70.352 kilometres of roads have been rehabilitated across the state just as 111.80 kilometres of roads have been constructed. And there will be more, he said.
“In the last two years, Lagos State has been turned into a huge construction site where projects are on-going in all the 57 Local Government Councils and Development Areas. With the birth of a new Lagos State, this ministry has positively played a significant role as a service providing agent of change and we promise you that, we shall keep the flag flying. The best is yet to come,” Johnson assured.
