Reconstruction of Lagos Int’l Airport Road to begin next month -Ambode

*Says new modern bus terminals coming to Marina, Ajah, Iyana Ipaja, others

Lagos state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday said that work on the proposed expansion and reconstruction of the Oshodi-International Airport Road would commence next month.

The governor, who spoke at the third quarter Town Hall Meeting, the 8th in the series, held at the Badore Ferry Terminal, Lagos, also disclosed that plans are already underway to commence the construction of 181 local government roads next month.

On the Oshodi-International Airport Road, Governor Ambode said the construction project, which has already been awarded, would see the transformation of the road from four lanes to 10 lanes- from Oshodi to the International Airport, with interchange and flyover which would convey commuters to the Local Airport.

It would be recalled that in May this year, Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, approved that the road be handed over to the Lagos state government for total reconstruction.

Governor Ambode, who had described the current state of the road as a national disgrace, said that work would begin in earnest, come September.

On the delay recorded in the commencement of rehabilitation of 181 inner roads, Governor Ambode said the development was due to the fluctuation in dollar rates at the time the bid was last opened, but that a new bid would be opened in the next two weeks, while work is expected to commence in September.

“By the next two to three weeks, I will reopen the advert to get a new cost and all things being equal, the job would start on the roads by end of September,” he said.

Governor Ambode also assured residents that the State Public Works would seize the break period of the rainy season to fix all potholes across the state in order to improve drive time for motorists.

Speaking on the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), billed to commence next month, Governor Ambode urged the people to be patient with his administration, as the plan which is holistic- and a comprehensive waste management policy- is currently in its gestation period.

He said once fully operational, waste across the metropolis would be collected in line with international best practices, while all parts of the state would be kept clean at all times.

He, however, urged residents to adopt a new attitude to disposing waste and to desist from dumping in drainages and canals, assuring that his government will provide adequate bins to discourage indiscriminate dumping.

Governor Ambode said all the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Chairmen have been mandated to ensure 24/7 cleaning of the environment, while officials of the state government would be moving round the nooks and crannies to evacuate waste.

As part of the initiatives to enhance commuting within the State, the governor said new modern bus terminals would be constructed commencing from this quarter in Marina, Ajah, Ojota, Agege, Iju- Ishaga and Iyana Ipaja, while as part of the integrated transport system, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) would be constructed to connect Badore Jetty to Ajah.

He added that the Badore Road would be expanded at its entrance from the Ajah Roundabout, while plans are in the pipeline to construct Oke-Ira Nla Road as an alternative to totally eliminate traffic along the axis.

Responding to complaints by a resident of the axis, Mrs. Abiodun Dina, on the activities of dredgers who are fond of destroying the roads and parking indiscriminately on the roadside, thereby subjecting road users to avoidable traffic congestion, Governor Ambode said in as much as government was not interested in shutting down businesses, he would have to wield the big stick if the dredgers failed to comply with rules of engagement.

The town hall meeting had in attendance the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I, members of the State Executive Council, members of the House of Assembly, top government functionaries, party chieftains, traditional rulers, among others.