The Governor of Lagos state, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday August 24, 2017, held a stakeholders’ meeting with the residents of Igbogbo-Bayeku LCDA, including other people of Ikorodu division over the reconstruction of Igbogbo Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Igbe road.
While speaking during the meeting, which was held at Oreyo junction along Igbogbo-Igbe road, the Governor’s representative, the State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperative, Hon Rotimi Ogunleye, said that the idea for embarking on the road project was conceptualized by Governor Ambode early this year and the leaders from Ikorodu division were duly informed by the Governor.
According to him during the meeting, the Governor promised to reconstruct two challenging roads in the division, which includes, Agric-Isawo-Arepo and Igbogbo-Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Igbe roads. He said the two road projects were very strategic in the socio-economic development of Ikorodu division.
In his words, “This is a sign that the government of Ambode holds the people of Ikorodu division very much dear to his heart, and his belief in inclusive governance has been shown by these two strategic projects.”
The Commissioner also stated that the Igbe road has strategic importance since it is the major road, which people coming from Ketu-Mile 12 areas and people going to Ijede and Imota would ply to their destinations. While assuring the stakeholders that the road would be delivered in the next twelve or fifteen months, Ogunleye believes that the traffic congestion usually witnessed around Ebute and Ikorodu areas would be avoided once the road is constructed.
The Governor had mandated the Commissioner to congratulate the people of the areas as well as seek their cooperation in executing and delivering the project on time, stating, “If you know that you have structures that are obstructing the road, you can assist the government by shifting them backward to create space for the construction, which would start in due course. By doing this, you would show that you actually believe in the project and the inclusive governance being pursued by the state.”
The Commissioner also disclosed that the project would add value to the socio-economic life in the axis and provide a good linkage to other parts of the state, including Imota, Ijede and Epe division. Concluding his address, he revealed that the state government had purchased a massive Rice Miller that could produce thirty-two tons of rice per hour in Imota and that the Imota Industrial Rail would soon be constructed.
In his own project brief, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr Jimi Hotonu, said the road project, which would be handled by High Tech Construction Company, would be a dual carriage way (two lanes in each directions) with a length of 7.114km. The project would include other structures like standard bus-laybys, dedicated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, provision of longitudinal and transverse service duets, construction of pedestrian bridges/lanes, and construction of re-enforced concrete drainages and culverts. Others include the provision of traffic management signage and markings, traffic signal light as well as street lights to illuminate the route.
Mrs (TPL) Afusat Adelogun, who represented the State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, in her remarks, felicitated with the people of Ikorodu division for the two road projects. She revealed that her ministry would be in charge of the Right of Way. According to her, within the following week, the Right of Way observation would take place and notices would be served to the residents of Igbogbo-Igbe road.
Mrs Adelogun further stated that properties within the Right of Way must be removed to ensure hitch free development in the area. She also offered general advice to all Lagosians thus, “Ensure that there is proper set back to your building line and a healthy space surrounding it. To avoid demolition, you should not build on the alignment of the canal or within the alignment of the NNPC pipelines and other government projects that are on-going”.
Oba Shotobi and Oba Kasali, who were present at the meeting, commended Governor Ambode for his determination to develop their domains and his love for the people of Ikorodu division. They urged their subjects to support his administration by paying their taxes/levies promptly and by cooperating with the supervising ministry that would handle the project.
In his vote of thanks, the Executive Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hon Sesan Daini, lauded Governor Ambode’s initiative for the projects and urged the residents to support his administration. His counterpart from Ijede LCDA, Hon Salisu Fatiu, also reiterated the fact that the road project would bring more developments to Ikorodu division. Thus, he urged everyone to cooperate with the state government.
Other speakers at the meeting included Lagos State former Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; former SSG, Chief Olorunfunmi Bashorun, among others.