Ministry of Works & Infrastructure – Lagos State Government
… To Commence Construction Works On Three Others
As part of the present administration’s agenda to ensure seamless transportation, through a network of roads across the State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commissioned the rehabilitated and upgraded Lateef Jakande/McDonald, Milverton and Thompson Avenue roads in Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area.
Speaking at the event, the Governor described the project as a fulfilment of his administration’s vision of a “Greater Lagos” that is safe, clean and prosperous.
He said that the development of road infrastructure is in line with the first pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, which targets the provision of efficient, effective and sustainable road infrastructure that will support the State’s huge economic activities, eliminate traffic gridlocks, ensure ease of commuting, and ultimately serve as a critical enabler for Strategic Traffic Management and Transportation Master Plan.
In his words, “Having established the correlation and attendant impacts of the state of our road infrastructure on business/commercial activities, welfare and productivity of the people, we embarked upon extensive palliative works, upgrading and in some instances reconstruction of strategic roads across the five divisions of the State. We know that when access within the Community is improved, productivity would increase”.
While announcing the immediate commencement of reconstruction works of three more roads in Ikoyi, namely Cooper Road, McPherson Road and Oyinkan Abayomi /Queens Drive, Sanwo-Olu noted that it is further proof of his administration’s unflinching commitment and resolve to continue improving the living condition of Lagosians through best policies and programmes.
He said, “For us as an administration, we are not only aware that Strategic Investment in road infrastructure is the foundation for long–term growth, but also equally aware that the provision of Road Infrastructure will generate a strong economic base for the productivity of the people and increase employment”.
“As you can see, our effort to relocate some trees around Ikoyi was not aimed at de-greening Ikoyi but rather to systematically put in place appropriate trees that will accommodate sustainable development such as road pavement and ancillary infrastructure development,” he added.
The Governor urged the residents and other stakeholders in the area to take ownership of the project through proper maintenance, adding that adequate and functional maintenance of the provided road is the responsibility of not only the Government but the community at large.
“We, therefore, recognise the need for continued collaboration with the community, both at the Residents Association and CDA levels, in order to promote and develop local initiatives for the community to participate in the maintenance process, thereby reducing the occurrence of road damage and infrastructure theft”, he asserted.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, said that despite the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the various lockdowns that ensued thereafter, as well as the impact of the #EndSARS Protests, the four strategic network of roads were embarked upon.
Adeyoye described the rehabilitated/upgraded network of roads as a gateway to the biggest job creation zone in Nigeria and home to Africa’s most valued real estate businesses.
She said, “In February 2020, Mr. Governor graciously approved the Rehabilitation/Upgrade of the 1.499km-long road with 10.3m carriageway width Thompson Avenue and 928metres long Milverton Road as well as 760m/580m-long McDonald/Lateef Jakande road for their strategic importance. The combined length of all the roads is 3,747metres”.
Commending the Victoria Island-Ikoyi Residents’ Association [VIIRA] for their patience and belief in the State government, the Special Adviser assured that the rehabilitated roads would reduce traffic congestion, reduce vehicular maintenance costs, decrease travel hours for commuters, enhance safety and security along the corridor, and provide an aesthetically pleasing environment that will further increase property value.
