The Lagos State Government has said it would require N109 billion to fix roads in Ikeja, the state capital and its environs to facilitate free vehicular movement.
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said this at the end of an on-the-spot assessment of work done on the Ijegun- Isheri Osun bridge and road being constructed by Hitech Construction Company Limited.
Hamzat stressed that government’s intention was to deliver the bridge and the road in good time, adding that its completion would give room for work to commence on the road.
“So far so good, we are pushing the contractor to deliver the bridge on time, but we also understand that there are challenges in terms of structures.
We are here to access and see whatever we can do to make sure that we keep our promise to the people of the state.
“It has to be phased. We have all the design and everything, it’s a question of money really, we want to do all the inner roads in Lagos immediately, but we don’t just have the money to fulfill all those obligations.
That’s why we said we should take the bridge first and then we can do the roads, so it’s a question of money.
The commissioner explained that the challenge of right-of -way could slow down the work on the road.
“There are so many challenges when you do roads.
These are areas where there are buildings and so by the time we finish, we will want to do dual carriage roads both sides, so we have to talk to people because some people’s fence may be affected.
“You can’t just come in and do the road.
So as long as people are involved, it’s always very difficult to give a time frame because even though you are doing the road for the benefit of the people, if it affects your fence, you will be selfish,” Hamzat added.
He said the Ijegun- Isheri Osun road was key to the development of the state,emphasising that it would serve as a major bypass and alternative route between Ikotun, Ijegun and Isolo.
“It will also guarantee access to Isolo via Jakande Estate for residents of Ijegun, Ijedodo, Ijagemo and Isheri Osun communities and improve the infrastructural facilities as well as the socio-economic status of the residents within the community, vis-avis property appreciation.”
Speaking on the project , the deputy managing director of Hitech Construction Company, Dany Abboud, assured on the delivery of the bridge within 12 to 15 months.
“In a matter of one year maximum.
We started work on this job in 2008.
As you can see, this area is a very mushy area, it took us time to fill it.
The major work is the filling and now the pilling is on. We have completed about 70 per cent of the pilling.”
He said the bridge was being constructed to meet with the specified requirement with standard concrete structures expected to last for between 50 to 100 years.
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