It is no longer news that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is a man of his words.
The articulate and hardworking Governor has effortlessly demonstrated this trait in the fulfilment of his campaign promises to Lagosians since his assumption of office as Governor of Lagos State. The people of lkorodu division could attest to the fact that the Governor is indeed a promise keeper, as he has started fulfilling his promise to embark on projects in the division, particularly road construction as some major roads in the State, which were in a terrible conditions prior to his election, have been reconstructed.
In furtherance of his promise to embark on people oriented projects in lkorodu, the Governor, at the beginning of this year, announced to reconstruct the Ikorodu Garage Roundabout to address the perennial traffic challenges in the area to make life easier for the people of lkorodu.
This cheering news was broken to the people of lkorodu through the Commissioner for Transportation in the state, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, during a Stakeholders’ meeting held at the Ayangbure palace on March 11, 2021.
The Commissioner informed the stakeholders that Governor Sanwo-Olu plans to rebuild the entire road along Lagos-Ikorodu road and the roundabout axis.
While also speaking with Oriwu Sun at the meeting, Dr. Oladeinde said that there will be provision of two layby opposite the BRT bus terminal and Oriwu Central Mosque to prevent motorists from picking and dropping passengers along the main road and force them to enter the layby to pick and drop passengers.
Oladeinde also disclosed that the Conoil Petrol Station, owned by Oba Shotobi, would be partly affected to create a bus terminal from where buses can depart to their various destinations.
He also assured that some of the issues raised at the gathering will be considered in the final implementation of the proposed redevelopment, particularly the relocation of the street traders to a new market, probably to the Oluwo-Odikan market at the Agric Bus stop, Ikorodu. He said it is currently overcrowded and reaching chaotic level.
To achieve this, he said that the lane will be increased to three to allow it take move vehicles while stating that traffic light will also be provided, particularly at flash points, to enable motorists have the chance of passing through without difficulties.
In fulfilment of the Governor’s promise regarding the roundabout reconfiguring, contractors recently moved to site to commence work.
N.S.C.E Nigeria Limited and Advanced Engineering Consultants are handling the project as contractor and consultant respectively.
According to report gathered, the project will take eight months and will cover both sides of the Ikorodu Garage Roundabout to CAC/ Total junction on Ikorodu – Lagos road.
Also, the project will cover from the roundabout to Ayangbure road and terminate a few metres after Etunrenren junction and from the Roundabout to Ragolis road on the way to Sabo market.
The roundabout, which host the Oga statue, the ‘Iti Luwa Mesu Ara Ipara’ shrine beside Sweet Sensation at Ojubode, the petrol station at the roundabout and other structures, will give way for the project.
Among the features of the project that will address numerous challenges facing traffic at the Ikorodu garage roundabout are: changing the existing roundabout junction to an actuated signalized junction, pavement overlay, provide additional slip roads and channelized key movements and construction of two (2) multi-laybys.
The project will also feature pavement surfacing, re-alignment and reconstruction of drainage systems, provision of walkways, provision of lay-bys, road signage and other traffic system management (TSM) measures, installation of solar traffic signal and provision of safety signs
Other solutions are the acquisition of a petrol station and three buildings for the bus park/terminal, expand the roads approaching the junction and relocate the street traders to the popular Obun-Ale market, Oliwo Dikan and Sabo market. Speaking with the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi during the week, he told our reporter that the community actually requested for a flyover from Benson along the Lagos road to Sabo to solve the traffic gridlock in the axis.
Meanwhile, on Friday, September 3, 2021, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederick Oladeinde, issued a statement detailing the schedule for the demolition of structures to create Right of Way for the project.
The Commissioner said that the demolition would hold between Monday 6th and Thursday 7th September, 2021, and would be executed in phases.
The first phase, which will take place on the first day, will cover CAC Road Junction to Ayangburen Road in the morning, while the second phase will cover AP Filling Station inwards Sabo in the afternoon.
Oladeinde further explained that on the second day, the demolition exercise will be carried out at the Sabo Police Station, Central Mosque, Conoil and Ayangburen Road from morning till afternoon.
The Commissioner, however, disclosed that though the demolition will not impede on traffic flow, alternative routes have been made available to reduce the pressure that may occur during the demolition exercise and to sensitise motorists ahead of the full project commencement, which will last for 8 months.
Motorists heading inwards Ayangburen from CAC can alternately utilize Ayedere Owowu road by GTB to make an exit at Etunreren to reach their destinations, while motorists inbound ketu/Lagos axis from AP Filling Station are advised to use Suleiman Soderu road and make an exit at Awoshode Street.
In the same vein, Traffic inbound Central Mosque and Ayangburen from Ikorodu Police Station can alternately use Adeniran Ogunsanya road and exit Sabo Sagamu road while Lagos bound motorists can make a detour at Suleiman Soderu road to access their destinations.
Oladeinde reiterated that the main carriage way of the affected axis would not be barred from traffic but the alternative routes have been provided to give motorists options for smooth operation around the corridor.
TheCommissioner further stated that the exercise had been organized in phases to ensure safety of the motoring public as well as the contractors on site, while assuring that road signs, barriers and caution guards will be mounted along the affected sites to guide traffic flow inbound and outbound Ikorodu Roundabout.
He urged the public to cooperate with the State Government to ensure successful commencement and execution of the project.