Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode at the weekend carried out extensive inspection of on-going projects across the State, among which is the multi-faceted expansion projects at the ever busy Berger Bus Stop.
The governor, who ordered contractors to work day and night on the projects to ensure completion by December 2016, said the directive became imperative in view of the strategic importance of the axis being the major gateway to the State.
The expansion projects at Berger include the construction of about 700 meters slip road through which traffic outward Lagos-Ibadan Expressway can connect Omole Phase Two, Magodo Phase One and Olowoora.
The road, which was designed with drainage channels, side walks and street light, is about 6 meters wide and can conveniently accommodate two vehicles at a time.
Apart from the Pedestrian Bridge which has been completed, there are also expanded lay-bys and reservation areas at both sides of the Berger Bus Stop to facilitate easy pulling off of commercial and private vehicles from the main expressway, while massive road improvement, construction of lay-by and reservation projects are equally on-going under the bridge.
Governor Ambode, accompanied by top officials of the State Government, also ordered the construction of iron barricade under the newly completed Pedestrian Bridge to compel usage so as to achieve its main purpose of saving lives and facilitating free flow of traffic.
While briefing Ambode on the work done so far on the Berger projects, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson said the projects, upon completion, will not only give Berger a new befitting look, but also ensure permanent removal of gridlock hitherto associated with the area.
“The idea is that we should have a reservation area for our commercial buses and also a reservation area on top. In the phase one of it, we have on both sides about 200 meters of reservation area. For instance, vehicles coming from upland and wanting to discharge passengers have been accommodated as we have cleared the road further down and we have about three to four base underneath the bridge.
“We have also improved Wakati Adura, Ijaye Road and Isheri Road in such a way that there will not be any traffic gridlock anymore by the time we complete this project and there will be a free flow of traffic around the whole place. We are also moving the Roundabout at PWC forward a little bit to Wakati Adura area and channelise the place just to improve traffic flow,” Johnson said.
The governor also inspected the newly completed lay-by at Car Wash Bus Stop in Oworonsoki which made it a total of four modern lay-bys constructed in Oworonsoki axis by the Ambode administration.
Besides, Ambode inspected the on-going construction of 1.65km slip road from Olopomeji in Oworonsoki to Ifako with under pass through which vehicles can make U-turn back to either Lagos Island or Oshodi through Gbagada and so on.
Meanwhile, the state government has read the riot act to owners of illegal structures, shanties, street hawkers and those who have converted walkways into trading points and food courts in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and the Lagoon Front of Lekki, just as it issued a 14-day grace period to remove such illegal structures.
In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello, the State Government warned that if such illegal structures are not removed after the 14 days grace, the State Special Task Force on the Clean Up of the areas would move in to enforce the laws.
“The owners of all illegal structures, shanties, abandoned buildings and all those who have converted road median to commercial uses in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki have between today (Monday) and two weeks’ time to comply or have the State Special Task Force on the Clean Up of the areas to contend with,” the SSG warned.
The statement added that owners of all abandoned buildings in different areas of Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island which are now harbouring prostitutes, illegal miscreants and unwanted elements must clear the structures of such undesirable elements immediately.
He specifically warned owners of properties on the Lagoon fronts of Lekki Phase 1 who have littered the whole areas with compactors and several other deadweight equipments to remove them out immediately.
Bello said the State Government was concerned about the conversion of the frontages of properties and abandoned houses to kiosks and trading points by maids and guards as well as the unregulated activities of horticulturists who have turned setbacks to hide outs and selling points.
He reiterated the determination of the Ambode-led administration to restore the original master plan of Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki by checking the activities of roadside automobile repairers who have converted many dual carriage lanes to single lanes with indiscriminate parkings.
He said the State Government would no longer tolerate unauthorized parking of vehicles, trucks, among others on drainage infrastructure, adding that owners of such vehicles and properties with unkempt drainages will be prosecuted.
Bello said it was totally unacceptable for people to stockpile and display wares such as bags of charcoal on major Roads like Ahmadu Bello Way and Federal Secretariat Road, Ikoyi, stating that henceforth such goods would be confiscated and the owners prosecuted.
“We are using this medium to sensitize members of the public and residents of the affected areas who are involved in these illegalities to immediately take right action and do the needful as the State Government will take the necessary steps to enforce its environmental and sanitation laws forthwith.
“All those engaging in roadside display of wares, illegal street trading and all illegal squatters on undeveloped land and all those who have converted road median to commercial uses in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki are being advised in their own interest to put a stop to the illegalities,” he said.
