‘INFRASTRUCTURE RENEWAL HAS ENHANCED THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS’ – LAGOS COMMISSIONER

Lagos State Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Adebowale Akinsanya (2nd right); his counterpart for Information & Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan (right); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Olujimi Hotonu (middle); Chairman, House Committee on Works & Infrastructure, Hon. Abiodun Tobun (2nd left) and Special Adviser/CEO, State Public Works Corporation/Drainages, Engr. Temidayo Erinle (left) during the on-going Y2018 ministerial press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

The Lagos State Government has said that its continuous investment in infrastructure renewal, expansion, upgrade and regeneration has impacted positively on the quality of lives of citizens and enhanced the ease of doing business in the State.

The State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya stated this in Ikeja on Wednesday at the ongoing Y2018 Ministerial Press Briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja to mark Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Third Year in Office.

Akinsanya explained that the provision of physical and social infrastructure across the State in form of mega-structures will definitely support the State’s drive and marketability as a smart megacity and tourism destination of choice by all.

He noted that a total of 55 road projects cumulating in 128.936 kilometers and 48 building projects were completed between May 2017 and April 2018 while 25 road projects cumulating in 120kilometers and 17 building projects are presently on-going across the various Local Governments in the State.

The Commissioner said the list of on-going projects include the reconstruction of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, construction of Agric-Ishawo-Arepo Road in Ikorodu to link the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and construction of a reinforced concrete flyover and signalized intersections at Pen Cinema, Agege amongst others.

Speaking on road rehabilitation and maintenance by the Public Works Corporation, the Commissioner said in the last one year, major rehabilitation works were carried out on 31 roads; palliative maintenance works including patching and sectional over-lay were carried out on 115 roads while equipment for fixing 400-600 square metres of interlocking stones within eight hours was acquired by the Agency.

He informed that contracts to ensure an all-year-round clearance and maintenance on the major secondary and tertiary drainage channels against flooding had been awarded by the State government.

The Commissioner noted that the State Government also embarked on the provision of pedestrian bridges across the State to further enhance the safety of pedestrians.

According to him, while five newly constructed pedestrian bridges have been completed, work is on-going on nine additional bridges which include the six-legged pedestrian bridge and laybys at Alausa Secretariat and the construction of three concrete pedestrian bridges in four riverine communities of Irewe, Itogbesa, Okonudun and Erekun in Ojo Local Governments for easy movement especially for school children that have to cross the rivers before getting to school.

He disclosed that “In fulfillment of Governor Ambode’s promise to open up more inner roads across the State following the successful delivery of the 114 local roads in 2016, work has started on 181 additional local roads totaling 82.738km”.