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A day after he inaugurated the new pedestrian bridges, laybys and slip roads in the Ojodu-Berger axis of Lagos State, the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday delivered the ‘Jubilee Bridges’ in Ajah and Abule Egba to the people of the areas , describing both bridges/flyovers as creative solutions by his administration to address the perennial traffic associated with the areas, as well as boosting the economic activities in both areas.
He said the construction of the Ajah Bridge was informed by the need to improve connectivity in the axis and facilitate economic growth, while the Abule-Egba Bridge, according to him, was meant to open up other areas of the State and improve the lives of residents in the area.
He recalled that the Ajah area was troubled with terrible traffic gridlock on a daily basis, which according to him, was crippling business activities, thus causing loss of valuable man hours and revenues.
He said the bridge would eliminate the traffic jam usually experienced on the road while the Freedom and Admiralty roads, which he also inaugurated, would provide an alternative route to the Lekki/Ikoyi Bridge, thereby easing traffic at Lekki Phase 1.
“We had to give this project priority because of its strategic importance to the economic growth of the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Ibeju-Lekki-Epe axis. This axis will play a key role in the future prosperity of Lagos State as the home to many multi-billion naira private investments in the Lekki Free Trade Zone 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 will facilitate movement of people, goods and materials. We are confident that these initiatives will boost commercial activities in this axis, support economic growth and significantly reduce travel time as well as other costs associated with traffic challenges,” the Governor said.
Besides, Governor Ambode said that beyond the Bridge, his administration was already looking to activate the Badore jetty in line with efforts to commence reforms in the State’s water transportation efforts.
He said this intervention would see the creation of a bus route from Badore to Langbasa and Ajah axis, rehabilitation of the Badore Road and also create alternative routes through Oke-Ira to the Epe expressway, while the alternative slip road which motorists used while the construction of the Bridge lasted would be closed to accommodate a new Bus Terminal.
At the commissioning of Freedom Road and Admiralty Way in Lekki, Governor Ambode said in continuation of efforts to open the axis for economic activities, the State Government in partnership with the private sector would commence construction of 8km Regional Road to serve as an alternative route to connect Victoria Garden City (VGC) from Freedom Road.
Governor Ambode, who also spoke at the commissioning of Abule Egba Bridge, said the project was a result of the Government’s engagements with the people of the axis and his administration’s strong desire to make life easier and better for the people.
He said the area was a strategic route for commercial and social activities which was riddled by heavy traffic gridlock, hence his administration’s decision to redesign the traffic flow chart of the axis to ensure better connectivity between Lagos and Ogun States.
“Today, we all have cause to rejoice as the Jubilee Bridge, Abule-Egba is delivered. This bridge is one of the interventions we embarked upon to ensure a 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 with the provision of this infrastructure,” Governor Ambode said.
The Governor said the construction of the Bridge was the beginning of a process to transform the axis to the new economic hub of the State, assuring that the ongoing Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) lane from Oshodi to Abule Egba would be followed by another BRT lane from Abule Egba to Ogun State border.
Already, the Governor said all the adjoining roads disrupted in the course of the construction of the Bridge have been awarded for rehabilitation, while a shopping mall would also be constructed opposite the Oke-Odo Market to further boost economic activities in the axis.
Earlier, in his opening remarks at both events, the State’s Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Adebowale Akinsanya said that while the Ajah Bridge is a 160metres long dual carriageway with a total length of 620metres, the Abule Egba Bridge is 1.3km with a water fountain. Both bridges were designed with traffic signalization, street lighting, walkways, service ducts, drainage infrastructure, among others. Freedom Road is 2.7km, while Admiralty Way is 2.2km.
