The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has continue to garner more supports, applause and appreciation over the completion of and commissioning of eleven road projects out of twelve allocated to the people of the division from the one hundred and fourteen (114) road projects in Lagos State.
During the flag off of the formal commissioning of the road projects, which took place on Saturday, September, 2016, at Jimoh street, one of the newly constructed roads in Ikorodu North LCDA, the residents welcomed Governor Ambode’s representative with wild jubilation. He was said to be on national assignment and the Deputy Governor Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule stood in for him.
During his speech rendered by the Deputy Governor, Governor Ambode reminded Lagosians that the construction of the one hundred and fourteen roads even in fulfilment of his inaugural promises to them that he would run an inclusive government where policies, projects and programmes should be driven by the needs of the Lagos communities.
In his words, “Across the length and breadth of our state, from the nooks of Badagry to the crannies of Igonla, from the corners of Odeomi to the creeks of Ikorodu, a new Lagos emerges at the centre and peripheries,” he stated.
According to him, “It is Lagos with 56.1kilometres of standard new roads. It is Lagos with more than one hundred and twelve kilometres (112) of walk ways and covered drainages. It is indeed a new Lagos with more than 56 kilometres of independent powered street lights to enhance the security of our neighbourhoods and elevate Lagos as the mega-city of shining lights and thriving economy,” he stated.
He traced the journey of the road projects starting from the identification of those roads by the community development associations to the selection process, and bidding to ensure transparency and accountability, which produced eighty nine (89) indigenous contractors to the startup of the projects in January and the completion in August 2016.
In his words, “between January and August, we made Lagos economy the most viable in the country by investing more than nineteen billion of the state and local government funds in the infrastructural renewal that the 114 road projects represent.
“We gave jobs directly to over five thousand construction professionals and artisans and indirectly to over 10,000 dependents”, he stated.
After commending those who assisted in making the roads projects a reality, including community leaders, CDA and local contractors, he promised to hand over the powering of the street lights to the CDAS and support them to operate them.
He also charged the beneficiaries of the road projects to ensure proper maintenance and use of the facilities. He said, “The simultaneous commissioning of the first 114 access and link roads projects throughout the state today is another testimony to a better and inclusive tomorrow.
“Let me therefore appeal to our elders, the youth and indeed the entire residents to guard jealously the infrastructure provided by the government to ensure additional projects to the communities.” Governor Ambode, therefore, enjoined stakeholders to address the issue of criminality by providing timely information to security agencies.
The road project was later commissioned and the commemorative plaque unveiled. The CDA chairman of Igbo-Oluwo Community, where the road project was located, Mr. Oyekanmi rendered the vote of thanks and pledged more supports for the APC led government on behalf of the residents of the community. The second road commissioned in the local government was the Adeniji Oluwakemi Street. Hon. Commissioner for Commerce and Industry represented Governor Ambode and read out the Governor’s speech, which was the same with other places earlier commissioned.
Ojediran street and Taiwo Molajo in Ikorodu West LCDA were commissioned respectively on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. While former secretary to the state government, Asiwaju Bashorun represented Governor Ambode at the former, Hon. Abiodun Tobun commissioned the later on behalf of the Governor.
Earlier, before the commissioning, the Sole Administrator of Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon. Segun enjoined residents to put the roads into proper use.
On Wednesday September 21, 2016, the commissioning shifted to Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA where Hon. Jimi Benson represented Governor Ambode in Commissioning Alhaji Oseni Street while a CDC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Ayoku commissioned Kola Ogunkoya Street on behalf of Governor Ambode.
The second road in Ikorodu North LCDA was commissioned by Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Communities Development Affairs, Alhaji Tajudeen Adeniji. Although, the residents complained about the shoddy jobs done on Federal Low-Cost Bye pass Road, the Sole Administrator of the LCDA gave a go-ahead for the commissioning of the road to meet deadline.
Alhaja Adewunmi had given the contractor of DHV Nigeria Limited a pass mark of ninety-five percent (95) claiming that within a space of two weeks, the remaining parts of the road would be completed.
On Thursday, September 22, 2016, it is the turn of Mayflower Crescent Road, Ijede LCDA. It is a 477 feet length and 8feet wide road, which was commissioned by Hon. Adedamola Kasimu on behalf of Governor Ambode. The second road in the LCDA, Osenatu Ahmed crescent, a road of 674 feet length and 8feet wide was fixed to be commissioned on behalf of the state governor by his Adviser on Housing, Mrs. Giwanson.
While Osenatu Ahmed Crescent constructed by Messrs Yotunrant Nigerian Limited was successfully commissioned, it was a different ball game at May flower Crescent where Breeze Global Resources has failed to complete the road project. The residents have vowed to make sure that the substandard job is not commissioned.
The Sole Administrator of the LCDA, Hon. Emmanuel Aguda, said that the situation of the project had been reported to the appropriate quarters for necessary action to be taken.
September 23, 2016 being Friday witnessed the commissioning of the last project at Imota LCDA Watchtower Street measuring 590 feet length and 7.5 width road, which was commissioned on behalf of Governor Ambode by the majority leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. SOB Agunbiade and the Ranodu of Imota, HRM Oba Ajibade Agoro respectively.
During his welcome address the Sole Administrator of the LCDA, Hon. Olufemi Okedeyi described the 114 road projects as giving acceleration to the development of the rural areas. He commended the new Mile 12 Market, Imota, existence of rice-processing mill in Imota and the expansion of Itoikin Road.
He urged Lagosians to continue to perform their civic roles by supporting the government. Massive support, appreciation and applause greeted the commissioning of the road projects.
The dignitaries present during the commissions ceremonies include, Hon. Jimi Benson; Hon. SOB Agunbiade; Oba Kabiru Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu; Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro; Obateru of Egbin, HRM Oba Oyebo; Regent of Ipakodo, Chief R.A. Shitta, the Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Idiat Adebule, Religious leaders and other personalities who showered encomium on Governor Ambode.
