Governor Ambode at the commissioning ceremony /Photo by:Punch |
The Governor said,
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me use this opportunity to
reiterate that Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) have been asked to stay
off our roads permanently.
“We also advice the
Federal Road Safety Corps to stay on the fringes and highways and not on
the main streets of Lagos. It has become evident that these agencies
contribute to the traffic challenges on our roads.”
He said as an
alternative, the State Government would employ technology to track and
monitor vehicle registration and MOT certifications vehicles on the
roads. Speaking on the interventions in Ojodu Berger, Governor Ambode
said his administration at inception, identified the axis as one of the
major traffic flashpoints that required urgent attention, adding that
the decision was informed by the strategic importance of this axis being
a major gateway into the State.
“What we set out to
achieve with this project was to ensure smooth flow of traffic along the
express, safeguard the lives of our people who had to run across the
express and project the image of a truly global city to our visitors.
Today, we are delighted that we have not only succeeded in transforming
the landscape of this axis but with the slip road, lay bys and
pedestrian bridge, we have given a new and pleasant experience to all
entering and exiting our State.
“This project is the
product of our innovative team of engineers, architects and town
planners who have worked hard to create an innovative solution to tackle
the challenges of this axis. I say a big thank you to the staff of the
Lagos State Ministry of Works and the contractors – CCECC Nigeria
Limited for a job well done,” he said.
To improve on the
project, Governor Ambode said a food court would be built where people
can relax before climbing the pedestrian bridge, as well as an
interstate bus terminal within the Ojodu Berger axis for buses coming
from outside Lagos to drop and load passengers, while intercity
transportation system would move commuters within the city.
Besides, the Governor
assured that his traffic interventions would not only stop at the Ojodu
Berger axis, but would be an ongoing process to create solutions to
traffic congestion in every part of the State.
“If your neighbourhood or community is experiencing traffic challenges, be rest assured that we will soon be there. We will always ensure that promises made are promises kept. We will continue to rely on the support of all segments of the population for regular tax payments, obeying the rule of law and protection of public infrastructure. That is the only way we can progress and achieve our goal of being one of the world’s top centres for business, entertainment and leisure,” he said.
While alluding to the fact that the State has lived up to its reputation as a land of possibilities, Governor Ambode also expressed confidence that the future prospects of the State was promising and that the journey of the next fifty years has commenced on a very sound and solid footing.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the State’s Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Adebowale Akinsanya said the project was conceived by the State Government as a response to the yearnings of the people of Ojodu Berger Community for an improved, efficient and grid lock free road network, as well as the need to preserve the sanctity of life of Lagosians who hitherto were endangered by the need to cross the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
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