Why Lagos deserves the best, by Ambode

LAGOS deserves the best in infrastructure to match its status as a Mega-city, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said yesterday.Commissioning the Abule Egba and Ajah flyovers, Freedom and Admiralty roads, among other projects, he said in Lekki, they werepart of his administration’s efforts to find home grown solutions to problems.The driving motive behind the Ajah Bridge, he said, was to improve connectivity and facilitate economic growth, while the Abule-Egba flyover would open up other areas of the state and improve residents’ lives.Ajah, Ambode recalled, was under terrible gridlock daily, which crippled businesses and resulted inloss of man hours and revenues.He said the bridge would eliminate traffic jam while the Freedom and Admiralty roads would provide an alternative to the Lekki/Ikoyi Bridge, thereby easing traffic in Lekki Phase 1.“We had to give this project prioritybecause of its strategic importance to the economic growth of the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) and the Ibeju-Lekki-Epe axis. This axis would play a key role in the future prosperity of Lagos State as home to many multi-billion naira private investments in the LFTZ as well as the upcoming seaport and airport.“As a government, we are irrevocably committed to making Lagos State an investment haven and we have made it a duty to put in place top class infrastructure that would facilitate movement of people, goods and materials. We are confident that these initiatives will boost commercial activities in this axis, support economic growthand significantly reduce travel timeas well as other costs associated with traffic challenges,” Ambode said.Ambode said his administration built the Abule Egba Bridge following engagement with the people, adding that the area is strategic for commercial and social activities.He said the area’s importance moved his administration to redesign the traffic flow chart of the axis to ensure better connectivity between Lagos and Ogun states.“We all have cause to rejoice as theJubilee Bridge, Abule-Egba is delivered. This bridge is one of the interventions we embarked upon toensure free flow of traffic, stimulate commercial activities and create opportunities for our people.“Lagos means business and today,Abule-Egba is open for business. This bridge signposts the beginning of a new era of development that would enhance the standard of living of the people in this axis,” Ambode said.The bridge the governor said, was the beginning of a process to transform the axis to the new economic hub of the state, adding that the ongoing Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) lane from Oshodi to Abule Egba would be followed by another BRT lane from Abule Egba to the Ogun State boundary.Ambode said the adjoining roads disrupted during the bridge’s construction would be rehabilitated, while a shopping mallwould be constructed opposite the Oke-Odo Market.Earlier, Waterfront Infrastructure Development Commissioner Adebowale Akinsanya said the Ajah Bridge is a 160-metre long dual carriageway with total length of 620metres. The Abule Egba Bridge is 1.3km long with a water fountain. Freedom Road is 2.7km; Admiralty Way, 2.2km.
©TheNATION