Construction of 114 link roads created 55,000 jobs—Ambode

Lagos State governbor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday, said that over 55,000 direct and indirect jobs were created through the construction of 114 link roads in the state.

Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Oluwatoyin Suarau, gave the figures at the official commissioning of Molade and Temidire Streets in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the commissioning of roads, embarked upon by the state government in collaboration with local governments, began on September 17 and will continue until September 24 in 10 councils.

Ambode said between January and August this year, his administration invested over N19 billion of the state and local government funds in infrastructural renewal that the 114 road projects represent.

“We gave jobs directly to 5,000 construction professionals and artisans and indirectly to over 50,000 dependents,” Ambode said.

The governor, while appreciating community leaders, urged them to take ownership of the projects that were commissioned in their localities.

“We shall hand over the powering of the streetlights to the Community Development Associations (CDAs) and support you to operate them,” he said.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Sole Administrator of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, Mrs Feyintola Danmole, thanked the governor for initiating the road projects.

Danmole said the two streets were now passable for motorists and other road users and that the commissioned projects would last well over 30 years.

She urged the people of the community to make good use of the roads.

According to the sole administrator, other roads such as Kukoyi Street, Ibafon Road, Godo Lane, Queen Uzo Road, and others that are yet to be commissioned, would soon be made open.

At the commissioning of Molade Street, the Ojora of Ojora land, Oba Abdul-Fatai Aromire, said road projects were vital to the development of any community.

He said that good roads made business to thrive and engendered development.

The traditional ruler called for more infrastructure development, including drainages, schools and healthcare facilities in the local council area.

Speaking on behalf of the residents of  the area, the Seriki Hausawa and leader of Arewa Community, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, lauded the governor for the projects.

He said that the projects would be beneficial to the people.