9th May, 2017
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the immediate construction of multiple lay-bys to decongest traffic in Ketu area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
In preparation for the construction of the multiple lay-bys and other facilities, the Lagos State Government held a stakeholder’s meeting with Ketu residents on Tuesday at Ketu Bus stop to intimate them of government’s plan to begin construction of the multiple lay-bys.
Speaking at the event, Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Anofiu Elegushi said the governor approved the construction of multiple lay-bys at Ketu Bus stop in order to decongest traffic on the axis.
He said the present administration had been paying more emphasis on revamping the transportation sector which had led to the construction of multiple lay-bys at Oworoshoki and other lay-bys at Car Wash, Ogudu and Berger, while a slip road was constructed at Estate bus stop.
Elegushi explained that the government was committed to decongesting traffic across the Lagos metropolis and that with the pathetic traffic situation in Ketu, the need to construct multiple lay-bys became imperative.
He explained that in most cases, gridlock at Ketu bus stop during peak hours normally start almost at Ojota and stretched to Ketu Bus stop, adding that “on getting to Ketu bus stop, you will see that commercial buses parking on the road often cause the traffic.”
According to him, apart from the lay-bys, shops and a car park would be constructed in the area, saying that the government was committed to decongesting traffic on the Ikorodu corridor all through to Ikorodu.
“We will continue to free traffic on the Ikorodu corridor and other areas and reduce travel time,” he said, adding that the government was also considering constructing another pedestrian bridge at Ketu bus stop.
He said heavy pressure on the existing pedestrian bridge had caused vibration on it and that government was forced to open a part of the barrier on road media to allow people to cross the expressway to reduce pressure on the bridge pending the construction of a new pedestrian bridge.
Speaking, the Oba of Ketu, Isiaka Oyero, while commending the government for the project, however, appealed to the government to address the issue of unemployment by supporting youth empowerment programmes.
Present at the event were the Permanent Secretary,Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Ajibade K. Bade-Adebowale, Sole Administrators of Agboyi-Ketu and Ikosi-Isheri, Honourable Olatunji llelaboye, and Aremo Adewale Abdul respectively and other top government functionaries.