Ministry of Works & Infrastructure – Lagos State Government
………Says Badagry Division Needs Massive Investment in Infrastructure
To further the administration’s commitment to take infrastructural development to all parts of the State, Mr Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has reiterated his administration’sdetermination to harness Badagry’s tourism and growth potentials through the provision of adequate infrastructure.
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Governor Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Engineer Adekunle Olayinka during an on-the-spot assessment of some projects that are critically significant to the administration’s THEMES+ Agenda in the division
Olayinka was joined on the tour by Hon. Oluseun Sesi Whingan Member representing Badagry in the Federal House of Rep., Hon. Solomon Bonus Member Badagry I in the House of Assembly, Chairman Olorunda LCDA Hon. Samson Folorunso Olatunde and Chairman Badagry Central Hon Onilude Olusegun, said as part of Mr. Governor’s determination to extend infrastructure development to every part of the State thereby promoting economic development and improving the living condition of the peoplehas decided to prioritise the rehabilitation, reconstruction and provision of essential infrastructures in Badagry Division.
In the past, I have heard the people in Badagry Divison complain of being forgotten and yearning for Government presence in terms of needed infrastructure to boost and improve local socio-economic activities. Let me assure you that we have come to ensure that the tourism potential of this area is fully harnessed by providing the necessary infrastructure that will complement the growth potential of this area.
According to him, a key quality of this administration is the policy of inclusiveness, not leaving any part of the State behind. Olayinka said, as a Government, we are poised to touch every nook and cranny of the state and we are resolute in our determination to extend development to inner parts of the metropolis. He added that Badagry is a major sub-division in Lagos State with considerable economic importance to Lagos and Nigeria, with huge needs for strategic infrastructure development and renewal programmes to further facilitate socio-economic exchanges between Nigeria and its West African neighbours.
Some of the Projects visited are Ajara Apovipe Erikiti Ikoga Road with a bridge (300m), Ilogbo Eremi-Oke Ira Road, Samuel Ekundayo Road,the Reconstruction of Hospital Road, and the Lekki Deep Sea Port Project amongst others.
The team also examined the alignment of other proposed projects like Mowo-Ikoga Road, Agunmo-Gomajayi-Seje Road Badagry, Reconstruction of Hospital Road Phase 2, Ibiye-Ayanre-Magbon Road, the Completion of Yafin Road, Agric-Salu Road, 0ke-Ogbe -Ipara-Ajarakoh Road with Bridge, Gbaji Road, Ganyingbo, Agonvi Road, FGN Zonal College Road Epeme, Tori Lovi Agemowo Road andIlufe Road Mosafejo.
During the visit to Hospital Road, the Special Adviser said, we have plans to connect Hospital Road to Topo to further boost our inter-modal, multi-modal transportation to ensure it becomes more functional, reduce pressure on major arterial roads and open up the local economy
On Hospital Road, the Special Adviser imploredthe good people of Badagry and its environs to please bear with the hardship that comes with Road Construction of this magnitude and be assured that on completion we will all enjoy the benefits.
Recall that Mr Governor had virtually commissioned the 6.65km, double lane single carriageway with a 300m Bridge of 9m width connecting Imeke, Ajido, Iworo/Whispering Palms down to Epeme, to serve as an alternate route connecting Lagos – Badagry Expressway thereby reducing travel time along the corridor and improving economic activities.
Having considered the number of projects and services, strategically located within the Badagry Marina including tourism promoting centres, such as Agiya Tree Monument, 1stStorey Building, the Early Missionary Cemetery in Nigeria, the renowned Slave Trade Relic / Town Hall, Heritage Museum, Eko Theatre. The team also inspected the ongoing completion works on the 52-Bedroom Hotel and Upgrading of Facilities at Lagos State V.I.P ChaletsBadagry and other key projects located therein. He said the decision to for the Reconstruction of Hospital Roadand the VIP charlets is not just long overdue but the time to reconstruct is now.
He said the construction of this road will improve road connectivity between Marina in Badagry Central and Idale, Akarakunmoh, Povita and Topo. According to him, Hospital Road is a major strategic infrastructure for this administration in that it actualizes our desire to harness the tourism potential of Badagry and indeed to stimulate the growth of other satellite settlements within the division.
On a visit to the part of the 10-lane Lagos-Badagry Expressway road project, the team agreed that commuting to Badagry has taken a new shape as work on the project is nearing completion. Also, residents of Badagary have started to have sighs of relief as the reconstruction of the international Lagos-Badagry Expressway nears completion. What is more, there has been an astronomic increase in the volume of economic transactions within the axis and the resultant pressure on the road, especially with the introduction of the Blue Line light rail project.
Since the Lagos State Government opened the upgraded ten-lane double-carriageway, with Light rail alignment, from Eric Moore in Surulere to Okokomaiko to traffic, the administration of Mr Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has continued to prioritizeBadagry due to its economic importance to the West African Sub-Region. Already, the contractor has almost completed the ten lanes from Mile 2 to Volks and the Lagos-bound traffic from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko.
With the commitment to deliver this project by the end of this year, the Lagos-Badagry Expressway will reduce traffic gridlock, ease the stress of movement by motorists and commuters, improve public health, enhance socio-economic activities and exchanges and increase the State and National Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
Without a doubt, the administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr Obafemi Hamzat is working to restore the status of Badagry, which links Seven Local Government and Local Council Development Areas, services various communities and serves as the gateway to at least three West African countries.
