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.