19th October, 2017
The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment towards improving the standards of living and well-being of the entire residents of the State, just as it began immediate rehabilitation and upgrading of the second segment of the arterial/inner roads in Epe Local Government Area of the State.
Speaking at a Stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday at the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Naforija, Epe, Abiola Anifowoshe, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, said the road construction was part of the infrastructure development vision of the state government.
He said there is no doubt that Epe Town and environs is presently witnessing influx of people and increased traffic volume as a result of industrial and commercial growth arising from various development like Dangote Oil Refinery, Air and sea ports as well as industries within the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
The commissioner added that the road, when completed would improve road connectivity and accommodate the expected increased traffic volume arising from industrial and commercial growth, while adding that it would also eliminate potential traffic gridlock as well as enhancing property value.
He also revealed that the area would enhance the aesthetic of the environment that could make the area become a major transportation hub within Lagos State as well as the adjoining states.
Anifowoshe also informed the gathering that marking of the affected buildings and serving of statutory notices would commence immediately and appealed to residents for full cooperation, adding that government would not demolish beyond what had been marked.
According to him, “The project is in fulfilment of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s promise of rehabilitating all road networks in the State and ensuring even development across the State. I just want to implore our people to cooperate with the contractors and at the end, we will all come to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“We will temporarily create an office at Eredo to receive any complaints from the residents. If you have building approval, certificate of occupancy or survey as well as a photograph of the affected building, you would be compensated. The work must not stop, let us cooperate with the contractors,” Anifowoshe stressed.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Olujimi Hotonu, enumerated the scope of the project to include dual carriageway road with a length of 13,000m and an average width of 19m that would start from Ottin- Odomola – Poka- Mojoda (Boundary of Lagos/Ogun State) Road, adding that the segment would also include completion of the rehabilitation /upgrading (1,040m) of Professor Agbalajobi Road -Segment 2, phase 1 (Aiyetoro Garage to Ita Opo Central Mosque) from formation level to asphalt surfacing with provision of drains, street lights service ducts.
The second segment, according to the Permanent Secretary, who was represented by Engr. Olanrewaju Daodu, would include rehabilitation from Oke-Osho through Araga to Poka Junction on Epe – Ijebu Ode Road, which he described to be a dual carriageway with a length of 600m and an average width of 19m.
He, therefore, charged the people and community concerned to support the government and the contractors.
The Aladesoyin of Naforija, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja advised residents and land owners to cooperate with the contractors and report any grievances to him, and promised to take it up, while also imploring the contractor to employ the residents and people in the area for the construction job.
Chairman, Eredo Local Council Development Area, Saliu Adeniyi also promised full cooperation of his administration on the project.
Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, appealed for continuous support to make the project realisable.
The Project Manager, Craneburg Construction Company Limited, Mr Alex Nonpelis, appealed for absolute cooperation of all the residents concerned.