Impressed with the developmental projects being put in place by the Lagos State government, especially, in the areas of road and bridges being provided in various areas across the metropolis, professionals that included the Town. Planners, Structural and Civil engineers, urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to put in place, maintenance template that would ensure their sustainabilty.
Rating the quality of the overhead, pedestrian and laybyes that dotted strategic locations in the metropolis, past president of Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStrucE), Dr. Victor Oyenuga, who spoke with Nigerian Tribune, assured that quality of works on the various projects is devoid of reproach.
According to Oyenuga, most of the projects, apart from being of high standards, can stand the test of time.
“As Structural Engineer, I am of the view that these projects will last as far as their engineering lifespan is concerned. Critically, viewed, the projects meet all the necessary engineering requirements, both in concept and execution”, said Oyenuga.
Expressing similar view, a prominent Town Planner and former past President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Alhaji Waheed Kadiri, also commended Lagos for what he called “excellent performance”.
Waheed, while commending Lagos infrastructure provision, said he was pleased with urban redevelopment programmes.
“Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s urban renewal programmes, coupled with infrastructure development are in consonant with Lagos Mega-city challenges.
“My advice is just to ensure that government put in place, all the necessary maintenance structure and plans that would ensure the sustenance of the projects”, he counseled.
At the commissioning of the Ajah fly over last week, Ambode announced the commencement of the construction of Badore Regional Roads In Lekki.
Besides, he also approves rehabilitation of Abule Egba Inner Roads, including the construction of Shopping Mall.
He the Ajah and Abule Egba Flyovers, saying that both bridges were creative solutions by his administration to address the perennial traffic associated with the areas, as well as boost economic activities in both axes.
The governor, who spoke at separate events in Ajah and Abule Egba for official inauguration of the newly constructed ‘Jubilee Bridges’, said that while the driving motive behind Ajah Bridge was to improve connectivity in the axis and facilitate economic growth, the Abule-Egba Bridge was about opening up other areas of the State and improving the lives of residents in the area.
The governor recalled that the area was noted for terrible traffic gridlock on a daily basis, which according to him was crippling business activities, causing loss of valuable man hours and revenues.
“We had to give this project priority because of its strategic importance to the economic growth of the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Ibeju-Lekki-Epe axis.
“Thie axis will play a key role in the future prosperity of Lagos State as the home to many private investments in the Lekki Free Trade Zone as well as the upcoming seaport and airport.
“As a government, we are irrevocably committed to making Lagos State an investment haven and we have made it a duty to put in place top class infrastructure that will facilitate movement of people, goods and materials. We are confident that these initiatives will boost commercial activities in this axis, support economic growth and significantly reduce travel time as well as other costs associated with traffic challenges,” the Governor said.
He said this intervention would see the creation of a bus route from Badore to Langbasa and Ajah axis, rehabilitation of the Badore Road and also create alternative routes through Oke-Ira to the Epe expressway, while the alternative slip road which motorists used while the construction of the Bridge lasted would be closed to accommodate a new Bus Terminal.
At the commissioning of Freedom Road and Admiralty Way in Lekki, Ambode also said in continuation of efforts to open the axis for economic activities, government, in partnership with the private sector would commence construction of eight kilometre Regional Road to serve as alternative route to connect Victoria Garden City (VGC) from Freedom Road.
“Today, we all have cause to rejoice as the Jubilee Bridge, Abule-Egba is delivered. This bridge is one of the interventions we embarked upon to ensure free flow of traffic, stimulate commercial activities and create opportunities for our people.
“Lagos means business and today, Abule-Egba is open for business. This bridge signposts the beginning of a new era of development that would enhance the standard of living of the people in this axis with the provision of this infrastructure,” Governor Ambode said.
The Governor said the construction of the Bridge was the beginning of a process to transform the axis to the new economic hub of the State, assuring that the ongoing Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) lane from Oshodi to Abule Egba would be followed by another BRT lane from Abule Egba to Ogun State border.
In his remarks, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Adebowale Akinsanya, an engineer, said the Ajah Bridge is a 160-metres long dual carriage way with total length of 620metres, while the Abule Egba Bridge is 1.3kilometre, with a water fountain. “Both bridges were designed with traffic signalization, street lighting, walkways, service ducts, drainage infrastructure, among others. Freedom Road is 2.7kilometre, while Admiralty Way is 2.2kilometre”, said Akinsanya.