ROAD REHABILITATION AND MAINTENANCE: LAGOS WOOS PRIVATE SECTOR ~ INN Nigeria

Residents and Commuters plying Victoria Island and Lekki axis of Lagos State can now heave a sigh of relief as Governor Babajide earlier today formally commissioned the Victoria Island – Lekki Trafffic Circulation Project.

Speaking during the Commissioning, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu said, the most critical challenge, experienced on daily basis by residents/road users along the axis was the heavy traffic volume and delivering the project has improve traffic flow, reduce travel time, and eliminate perennial flooding issues, and a boost for health and socio-economic well-being of the people. According to the Governor, the Victoria Island – Lekki Traffic Circulation Project which was flagged off in December last year, under a Public Infrastructure Improvement Partnership (PIIP) Programme in conjunction with Access Bank PLC.

It consisted of dualization, expansion, construction and rehabilitation of some roads, junction and turning radius improvement of some roads, adding that provision of new drainage system, Re-routing some roads as one way and signalisation are some of the innovative solutions that were carefully designed to ease the daily gridlock being experienced by commuters in this area Governor Sanwo-Olu said that despite the difficult health cum economic challenges occasioned by the COVID 19 Pandemic experienced worldwide in the last one year, his administration remains fully commitment to bringing economic prosperity to Lagosians by developing and facilitating delivery of world class infrastructure to serve as the critical development driver of a Greater Lagos vision. Some of the roads delivered under the project are Ligali Ayorinde Muri Okunola – Aboyade Cole, Yesufu Abiodun Oniru, Ligali Ayorinde/Akinbolagbe/Okene, Jide Oki, Ade Odedina and Moshood Olugbani Streets while appreciating Access Bank PLC for their collaborative efforts in delivering the project, Sanwo-olu noted that with this partnership with the State Government, Access Bank PLC has reinforced the importance of the Public-Private Partnership [PPP] at delivering public infrastructure.

He said Government is willing to give incentives such as tax holidays and branding and advertisement concession to corporate organisations that are ready to partner with Government.

Governor Sanwo-Olu urged people to guard jealously the infrastructure, saying the fact that the project was delivered was sponsored by Acce ss Bank PLC it remains a public infrastructure owned by all, therefore protecting them will further encourage the sponsors and Government to do more.

In her welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor, Works and infrastructure, Aramide Adeyoye while applauding the vision of Mr Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Mr Deputy Governor Mr Obafemi Hamzat, to continue to partner with the organised private sector for sustainable road infrastructure development, she reiterated that in line with the State Transport Master Plan (STMP) and THEMES AGENDA, the administration has shown deep sense of responsibility and commitment towards the delivery of strategic link roads.

On behalf of Government, she express gratitude to sponsors of the project Access Bank PLC for deeming it proper to sponsor the project as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contribution to the growth of the State.

In his address the Group Managing Director Access Bank Plc, Mr Hubert Wigwe while expressing pleasure at the delivery of such well thought out project he said the Bank cherish service, customer relationship and community service.

He added that in the past, the Bank had transformed Oyin Jolayemi, and other roads but described the newly commissioned project as the greatest, he invited other corporate organisation to partner with Access Bank in assisting Government in the provision, maintenance and taking ownership of the project.