Ambode assures completion of Lagos-Badagry expressway expansion by 2019

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday, has made it known that he is totally committed to delivering the ongoing Lagos-Badagry Expressway expansion project before the end of 2019.

Speaking to journalists shortly after embarking on an inspection of ongoing projects across the State, the governor said the project was a major economic catalyst for Lagos which would boost economic activities and real estate value in the axis when completed, The Nation reports.

The Nation reports that Amode said: “On the part of government, it is imperative that the project is accelerated and completed on schedule. It is a 10-lane expansion project with a provision for rail.”

Ambode said that though the project was awarded to Okokomaiko, his administration was almost at financial close to give it to a concessionaire who is expected to extend the project from Okokomaiko to Seme Border.

“We believe strongly that the contractor has done a good job here. We have given him the right of way and it is our belief that the one that has been awarded should be completed on schedule. I am committed to this project; I am committed to the expansion of the economy of the East axis of Lagos. That is the surest way to go.

“By doing this project, we would also expand the real estate value of this axis and the tourism potentials of the Badagry axis. I am confident that in no time, we should have a complete project before the end of 2019,” he said.

He recalled that he had seized the opportunity of his recent to Denmark was seal a deal with APM Terminals for the commencement of work on the $2.6billion Badagry Deep Sea Port.

According to him, it was therefore important for the road network to be completed within schedule to accommodate the anticipated increase in economic activities within the axis.

In addition, The Nation reports that while inspecting the stretch of link road from Agbelekale off Ekoro Road to Abesan Estate via Church Street, Giwa and Aboru, Governor Ambode expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project so far, but charged the contractor and supervisors to ensure the delivery of the project within the first quarter of 2017.

The governor said the bridge being constructed as part of the project had to be extended from 240meters to 360meters due to the nature of soil in the area.

“Like the contractor has promised, we hope to finish this project by the end of January next year. We have also found out that we need to extend this bridge by an additional 120 meters because of the nature of the soil in this area. I had earlier promised that this project would be delivered by the end of this year but I’m pleased with the progress being made on this project. I want to urge the contractors and the supervisors to ensure that we meet the completion date and that within the first quarter of next year, all the people in Alimosho will enjoy this facility,” he said.

At Irede Road, Abule Oshun in Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA), governor Ambode expressed displeasure with the state of the road, assuring that work would start on the road within the next four weeks.

“I have come personally to see it and I have received complaints from people of this community. I also see that the economic value that we stand to benefit from upgrading this road is unquantifiable.

“Beyond the fact that we will open up the road to the Lagos Badagry Expressway, we also intend to expand our housing policy and the rent-to-own scheme to this neighbourhood. So, I like to just clearly state that work would commence on Irede Road within the next four weeks,” he said.

Briefing the governor on the housing plan for the area, the Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, said a 30 hectare land at Ado Trade Fair had already been designated for a 500 Housing Units which would be constructed in partnership with the private sector, The Nation reports.

Source: The Nation