Ambode commissions 21 roads in Alimosho

It was all excitement for residents of Ipaja, Aiyetoro, Peak Thomas and other sub-urban communities in Alimosho area of Lagos State, Monday, as Governor Akinwunimi Ambode opened up the areas with network of 21 roads and two bridges amounting to 27.4 kilometres in all.

The development is seen impacting the lives of the residents who can now access their once cut off homes with ease. The new road network is also seen raising the value of available properties in the areas and possibly attract more people to look in that direction for new accommodation.

Alimosho is the biggest, by population, of the 20 local government areas of Lagos State, and plays critical role in the political calculations of the state.

The two bridges commissioned are Ikola Road Bridge about 7.2 km and the Aiyetoro Road Bridge (1.2km), which links the boundary communities of Aiyetoro with Ogun State.

Some of the 19 roads are Ogunseye Road (from Ajasa/Command to Ikola Road); Oko Filling Road (from AIT to Ilo River) and Osenatu Ilo road (from Ibari Road to Ilo River). Others include Amikanle Road (from AIT to Ogunseye Road); Aina Aladi road (from AIT to Ilo River) and Aiyetoro Road (from New Market/Ishefun Road intersection to Ilo River).

The construction of the roads and bridges, handled by Visible Construction Company, was flagged-off in March 2017.

Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Ambode said it was imperative to open up sub-urban communities to decongest the urban centres, reduce traffic congestion and create better life for the people.

“Alimosho has been a loyal constituency since Asiwaju’s administration. So, in return, we are giving you the dividends of democracy with these roads, so that we can connect you to the rest of Lagos.

“Just as we have connected the Itele community in Ogun State, we are trying to do the same on Epe-Ijebu-Ode Road, Ikorodu-Imota-Itokin road and it is the same thing that we are trying to do on Mile-2-Badagry and Seme road.

“It is imperative that we do these roads so that we boost economic integration with neighbouring states,” he said.

Ambode said such development would also reduce the rush to the centre and allow new families and home owners to build up in other places.

He said that the new roads would serve as alternative routes to decongest the Abeokuta Expressway and reduce travel time.

“This inauguration is historic because it was Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s vision. He started it with the LASU-Iba road up to Igando and Egbe.

“My predecessor, Governor Raji Fashola, took it up to Ipaja; all in a bid to build a new economy in this particular axis. So, this administration has continued from Ipaja to Ayobo to Command and the bridge constructed in Aboru to link Abesan.”

Speaking also, Solomom Olamilekan, a senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, said that Alimosho was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Ambode led-administration with the construction of the roads.

Commending the state government, on behalf of the communities, Abiodun Coker, chairman, Community Development Association, said the Megida-Ishefun road in Ayobo-Ipaja would reduce the hardship hitherto experienced by the residents in the area.

Credit: Business Day