13th December, 2011
Nine years after bombs from the Ikeja Military Cantonment, Lagos, South West Nigeria, killed hundreds of people, Governor Babatunde Fashola has approved the construction of the Ejigbo-Ajao Link Bridge at a cost of N2.5 billion.
Hundreds of people died at the Oke-Afa Canal on 27 January, 2002 while fleeing from the explosion. They were crossing from Ajao Estate to Ejigbo through the canal when they drowned in the canal.
Following the incident, there has been clamour for the construction of a bridge across the Oke-Afa Canal between Ajao Estate and Ejigbo.
Nine years after, Fashola has approved the construction of the N2.5 billion bridge and preliminary works had started. The bridge is expected to be completed next year.
The project is being financed directly by the state government and had been awarded to the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company, CCECC. On completion, the bridge will help to curb the perennial traffic gridlock between Iyana-Isolo and Oke-Afa area as motorists will now link Ejigbo directly through the bridge.
Lawmakers and traditional rulers in the area have commended Fashola on his decision to construct the link bridge.
The six legislative members who are elected councillors in the Ejogbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA expressed their appreciation through a letter addressed to the governor, dated 12 December, 2011 and jointly signed by all and the clerk of the house, Mr. Onadipe Adekunle.
They pleaded with the governor to disregard moves by residents of Ajao Estate against the construction of the link bridge. The lawmakers noted that the link bridge, when completed would not only decongest the heavy traffic at Isheri-Olofin, Ijegun, Idimu and Egbe Ejigbo axis, but would also boost economic activities in Ejigbo and its environs.
— Kazeem Ugbodaga