It is the nature of some political office holders to rest on their oars in their second term but not so for Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who with the benefit of hindsight has been on overdrive as far as project execution and delivery are concerned.
Since he resumed his second term a little over a year ago, his passion for projects has intensified so much that a lot of people who have been monitoring the rapidity of events in that space have been pleasantly surprised that Mr Sanwo-Olu keeps pushing the frontiers of socioeconomic development in the Centre of Excellence.
Last Monday, Governor Sanwo-Olu began what some analysts said was a festival of projects when he paved the way for the commissioning of a record 36 roads across the state, a feat which made many green with envy. Independent checks revealed that most of these projects dot the landscape across different communities and enclaves.
The Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Engr. Olufemi Daramola, who had earlier hinted during a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Lagos Government Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, described the unveiling as a major milestone in the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to infrastructure development. He emphasised that the projects aligned with the THEMES+ agenda, which prioritises traffic management and transportation to enhance the welfare and productivity of Lagos residents. Quoting the Governor’s recent budget presentation, Daramola reiterated: “Continuous investments in infrastructure are the backbone of our development agenda.
The Greater Lagos we envision will emerge on the back of high-quality infrastructure that keeps pace with population growth.” The projects spanned multiple local government areas, including Agege, Alimosho, Badagry, Eti-Osa, Ikeja, and Kosofe. Some of the key highlights include the rehabilitation of Dopemu Road in Agege, the construction of Abiola-Onijemo Link Road with a bridge in Ifako-Ijaiye, the reconstruction of Irede Road in Amuwo Odofin, and the rehabilitation of Oyinkan Abayomi Drive in Ikoyi, Eti-Osa.
Despite global economic challenges and inflationary pressures, Daramola noted that the projects were prioritised to ensure timely completion. “Delivering these projects amidst economic downturns demonstrates the administration’s commitment to its promises and the prosperity of Lagosians,” he said. On Tuesday, Governor Sanwo-Olu also opened the Ikoyi road network, which includes Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Femi Okunnu Road and Macpherson Avenue. As the administration advances through its second term, Daramola assured that infrastructure development would remain a priority. “We shall finish strongly, building a Lagos that is safe, prosperous, and economically vibrant,” he stated.
A cursory view shows that a number of these road projects, including the rehabilitation and upgrading of Babajide Sanwo-Olu Road (Dopemu Road), the construction of Babafemi Dada Road, alongside a network of others including Yinka Folarin, Jamiu Lawal, and Shalom Academy Roads, as well as the Abaranje Road projects, the reconstruction and dualisation of Irede Road and the rehabilitation of Mumuni Adio (Buba Marwa) Road signal, in Agege axis, the rehabilitation of the Aradagun-Mosafejo-Ajido-Imeke Road and the reconstruction of Hospital Road, in Badagry, the multiple road rehabilitation projects — which also include Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Macpherson Avenue, and Femi Okunnu Road, the upgrading of the Eti-Osa/Lekki/Epe Expressway phases — further underscores the government’s commitment to long-term urban planning and expansion.
Besides, turnkey projects sited at the Adamo-Akanun-Agunfoye Lugbusi Roads in Ikorodu and the Arowojobe Link Bridge in Maryland, the damaged pedestrian bridge at Estate Gate in Alapere, Ketu, have also been reconstructed to ensure safety for commuters and motorists alike. Yet, work has not ceased with the inner city roads in and around Oyingbo and Iwaya Road in Lagos Mainland, ditto in Oshodi-Isolo, the rehabilitation of Unity, Umunya, and Alhaji Ganiyu Ose Baby Streets respectively.
