RESIDENTS, COMMUTERS JUBILATE AS SANWO-OLU COMMISSIONS ROADS IN AGEGE, IGANDO-IKOTUN

Newly reconstructed 3.68km Abaranje road in Alimosho Local Government Area in Lagos.

Lagos State Government has officially opened the reconstructed Abaranje Road in  Ikotun-Igando Local Council Development Area and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Old Dopemu) Road in Agege Local Government Area.

The 3.86km Abaranje Road in Alimosho Local Government is a major arterial that provides access from the densely populated Abaranje community to Igando on LASU-Iba Road in Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area.

Speaking during the commissioning, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the reconstruction of the Abaranje Road further demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the administration to continually energise the local economy by providing essential infrastructure that promotes development across the nooks and crannies of the State.

He said the Lagos State Government is determined to bring relief to residents and make commuting pleasurable for the people.

Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that aside from the roads commissioned today, Alimosho has a fair share of road projects completed by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Administration. The roads include Akesan Obadore Road, Ishefun Camp-Davies Road with a Jetty, Lagos-Ogun State Boundary Road (Phase 2), Agric Access Road (Bamidele Kasali/Disu Ekunrin Road) and Isuti Road.

Disclosing that the administration has also embarked on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of about 28 others, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the projects include Akesan Igando Road; Ijegun-Ijagemo Road; Ile-Eja, Ola-Iya/Ajibola Hassan, Alhaji Mustapha-Olu Adeyanju with Bridge, Rabiatu Ogedengbe Road Network; Oke-Anu /Ezenwaobi Streets; Famakin Road; Rilwan Onifade/Osidele Streets in Ikotun; Rabiatu Ogedengbe; Alhaji Waidi Ewenla, and many others.

 “Many other roads are also undergoing routine maintenance and palliative works simultaneously within Alimosho,” he added.

Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the Lagos State Public Works Corporation for the strategic intervention and reconstruction of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Road in Dopemu, saying it shows that the administration’s heavy investment and efforts to reposition the Corporation as a world-class construction outfit are indeed yielding results.

He said, “The delivery of these road projects and 35 others earlier, even as we enter into the penultimate lap of the administration's tenure, is an indication that ours is not just about promises and hopes but of plans, delivery, and a commitment to serve the citizenry better.”

In his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Engineer Olufemi Daramola, recalled that before the award, Abaranje Road was in a deplorable state. It was narrow, flood-prone, and riddled with failed sections that caused daily hardship for road users and residents. The absence of proper drainage, combined with the growing population and increased vehicular movement, was a challenge for commuters.

Commending the Lagos State Government, a resident, Funmilayo Daniel, said, “This road is a good one. The government did not just give us a road; they gave us a solid road. Unlike before when people were afraid to visit us, the new improvement on our road makes it easier and safer for our people”.

Also speaking on the condition of the road, Idowu Olaiya, a landlord in the area, said it was difficult to go out before the construction. 

“The journey from here to Ikotun is just about three minutes if the road is okay. Before now, it took us almost 30 minutes, which was very unfortunate. I didn't go out with my car. What type of life is that? After struggling to get money for my life, everything looked miserable”, he lamented.

In the same vein, Joseph Njoku, a businessman in the area, said, “The road was so bad that even before you get to your house, you don’t spend less than N2,000 from this Ikotun to your own house in Ikotun here. At times, the road is so bad that you cannot cross to the other side.

Maruwa will not cross. The motor will not cross. The bike will not cross. Everybody has to stop over. If we reach, we'll stop. We'll use the leg and cross, and enter another bus going to the street”. He gave accolades to the Lagos State Government for easing the burden caused by the bad roads before the rehabilitation. 

Many residents acknowledged that the journey along the route has become faster with easier movement along the 3.86-kilometre route.

An excited resident said, “The road is now in good motorable condition, it has become the darling of commercial drivers and riders”, just as he expressed gratitude to the Governor for coming to the aid of the people.