Ayodele Olalere
In order to ease traffic on the ever busy Oniru and Victoria Island axis of Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, commissioned seven roads around Iru and Victoria Island axis.
The roads are Four Points Sheraton junction, Akinbolagbe junction, Muri-Okunola junction, Ligali-Ayorinde /Okene road junction, Ajose Adeogun junction and New Extension Road (Maroko).
The gridlock prone roads were redesigned re-constructed with concrete slabs and were done through Public Infrastructure Improvement Partnership (PIIP) framework.
According to the governor, it was in fulfillment of his campaign promises. It is recalled the governor flagged off the construction of the roads last year December.
“One of the critical challenges experienced by residents and road users along this axis was the heavy traffic congestion occasioned by the geometric increase in traffic volume, which led to a significant reduction in productivity and growth business activities in this highly commercial location.
“As government, we resolved to work in partnership with public-spirited corporate organisations to embark on the road improvement project.
“This project was executed through the Public Infrastructure Improvement Partnership (PIIP) arrangement.
“Today, I have the pleasure to hand over these improved roads to users and residents. This project has led to an improvement in road connectivity and traffic flow.
“We have also reduced travel time, eliminated perennial flooding issues, enhanced intermodal transportation.
“Most importantly, we have improved the health and socio-economic well being of the people through the Victoria Island–Lekki Circulation Project in Oniru Axis,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor further explained that Transportation and Traffic Management, being one of the pillars of his administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda deliberately focussed on provision of infrastructure using technology and innovation to achieve pre-conceived objectives of reducing travel time, and providing better riding surface for vehicles.
He said the key outcome from the execution of the Circulation Project was the traffic diffusion, which, he said, had made considerable positive impact on businesses and residents living in the area.
The governor said the pressure being exerted on the public finances by various sectors made it difficult for the state government alone to fund infrastructure, pointing out that the only available option was to create extra budgetary capital for roads maintenance and improvement.
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He continued, “It is on this note that I appreciate Access Bank Plc for its collaborative efforts in the area of public infrastructure improvement.
“With this partnership, the state government and Access Bank have reinforced the importance of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) at delivering public infrastructure.
“While we hope to continue to harness the benefits this collaboration, I am inviting the Organised Private Sector to partner with Government for maintenance and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure so that the Government can concentrate more on the provision of new road Infrastructure. We will reciprocate this kind gesture in commensurate measure.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu urged residents and road users to take ownership of the rehabilitated roads, advising them to guard the infrastructure jealously by not allowing street traders and mechanics to take over the road.
“Government and Access Bank have done their bit. The project remains a public property owned by all residents. Therefore, protecting the roads will further encourage the sponsors, other corporate organisations and Government to do more,” the Governor said.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, described the project as ‘iconic’, pointing out that it was one of the first road rehabilitation exercises to be flagged-off by the Sanwo-Olu administration under PIIP framework.
She said the PIIP arrangement would form the bedrock of the current administration’s strategy to increase the participation of the private sector development programmes.
The Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, who was present at the event, commended the state government and the bank for bringing the Circulation Traffic Project to reality, and urged private investors to collaborate with state government in providing infrastructure by embarking on similar development projects for improved commercial activities on the axis.
