EYES ON THE ROAD

Lagos State government is committed to improving the quality of lives of the people, writes Segun Adams

 Yaba, a bustling commercial and business hub is wearing a magnificent look. The intersection that connects Ojuelegba Road to Muritala Mohammed Way, enroute Oyingbo, has created a serious traffic bottlenecks for years until the intervention of the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. 

The Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line Overpass Bridge at Yaba, according to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), will improve traffic flow within the Yaba-Ojuelegba axis into other parts of the state.  The T-shaped Yaba Overhead Bridge, will take traffic from Murtala Muhammed Way into Ojuelegba Road and vice versa, over the rail tracks.  

It will be recalled that prior to the construction of the overpass bridge at Yaba, traffic into Ojuelegba from Murtala Muhammed had been through a rail-level crossing. This often caused accidents as well as delays in train operations. 

The Yaba Overpass Bridge is one of the four new bridges built by the Sanwo-Olu administration on the Red Line rail alignment to stop vehicular/pedestrian and train interaction.  The other three bridges constructed by Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration on the Red Line rail alignment are the Oyingbo Overpass Bridge, the Ikeja Overpass Bridge and the Mushin Overpass Bridge, which is nearing completion.

The grand commissioning of the Yaba Overhead Bridge, is one of the iconic physical infrastructural projects to be undertaken by the Lagos State government. Governor Sanwo-Olu has again proven that he is a promise-keeper and a leader who truly has the interest of the people at heart.

As the Yaba commercial hub and its environs got uplifted and enhanced by the infrastructure, Ikeja , particularly the phones and gadgets hub in Ikeja is also getting transformed. On the popular Obafemi Awolowo Way, vehicles from the Alausa axis down to Ikeja under bridge, will take the overpass bridge that is almost concluded to link Agege Motor Road and other parts of the state.

All these urban renewal and regeneration of old city, are aimed essentially to improve the quality of lives of the people and to enhance economic prosperity of the people.  That was the agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu as codified in the THEME vision.

The sub-hub of Lagos State is not also left out in the infrastructure development revolution of the Sanwo-Olu government. It was not only the highbrow Government Reserve Area in Ikeja, where roads and drainages were reconstructed that is benefiting from the government, the hinterlands and the inner parts of the city can also feel the presence of the government.

The magnificent Oga Statue at Ikorodu roundabout has been moved to a deserving cultural preservation abode, like the statue of Afro-beat maestro Fela Anikulapo-Kuti at the Allen junction. Now, the ever-busy intersection of vehicles coming in and out of Ikorodu and other places has been eased. The adjoining roads leading to the roundabout from Lagos Road, TOS Benson Road and Ikorodu Sagamu road have been widened to ease vehicular and human traffic.

Many of the roads under construction like the Agric-Asolo-Ishawo Road, in Ikorodu have reached an advanced stage. Contractors are also working to deliver the Igbogbo Road in Ikorodu. The story is the same in other construction sites like Demurin, in Agboyi-Ketu, and other parts of the state.

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s keen interest in solving the longstanding challenges of traffic congestion in Lagos has been yielding desired results.  Efforts have been directed towards the rehabilitation and construction of roads to improve connectivity and reduce travel time for residents. The support and confidence Lagosians are reposing in the government of Babajide Sanwo-Olu is essentially as a result of the outstanding service delivery in Lagos State. 

Aside from the giant strides in the road and infrastructure sector, the government has also impacted other areas  like the enhancement of the existing mass transit system. The administration has enhanced the state’s public transportation system. This includes more investments in the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. More higher capacity buses had been added to the BRT schemes to ease the movement of more Lagosians. Likewise, water transportation has also provided incentives for many Lagosians to use. In Lagos, many workers daily commute to and fro on waterways like never before. 

In a show of empathy and sensitivity to the economic challenges Lagosians are facing as a result of the removal of the petroleum subsidy, the government subsidised fares on all state-owned buses, trains and ferries by 50 percent and later 25 percent. 

The government has also done well in the healthcare sector. The infrastructure in healthcare has been enhanced significantly. This includes the renovation and equipping of existing healthcare facilities and the construction of new ones to enhance the quality of healthcare services available to residents of Lagos. Response to health emergencies, as exemplified by the management of the COVID-19 pandemic has also been applauded by Lagosians and other Nigerians. 

The government has also worked towards improving the educational sector, with investments in infrastructure, technology, and the overall quality of education. Renovation and construction of schools have been part of this initiative.

Under Governor Sanwo-Olu, youth empowerment programs initiatives aimed at empowering the youth through education and skills development have been implemented. These programs are designed to enhance the employability of young people and contribute to the overall economic development of the state.

To further drive innovation and prosperity, the government has expressed a commitment to transforming Lagos into a smart city. This involves leveraging technology to enhance governance, public services, and the overall quality of life for residents. Tech hubs and innovation centers have been championed by the government to achieve this goal. The establishment of tech hubs and innovation centers fosters entrepreneurship and has positioned Lagos as a hub for technology-driven solutions.   

Ditto for waste management; the government has been addressing environmental challenges, particularly waste management. Efforts to improve waste collection and disposal systems contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment.

 Adams writes from Lagos State