Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has tasked residents to safely utilize the new amenities provided by the government.
Speaking at the commissioning of Pen Cinema Flyover, today, which was conceived to ease vehicular traffic across the intersections at Agege and resolve the perennial traffic gridlocks within the area, Sanwo-Olu was optimistic that commuters would witness improved vehicular movement and traffic flow with the attendant positive impact on businesses and living in the area.
“In line with the State Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP), we deployed a two-pronged approach to infrastructure delivery, so as to bring immediate impactful succour and relief to commuters. We prioritize continuation of strategic ongoing roads and link bridges, as well development of new roads. We also listed many roads for urgent maintenance, and continue with the provision of on-going strategic offices and public buildings.
“One of the most critical challenges being experienced on daily basis by residents/road users along Agege Pen Cinema axis over the years was the heavy traffic volume occasioned by the geometric increase in traffic volume. Residents and road users along this axis have clamoured for a solution to the suffocating nature of the perennial traffic gridlock occasioned by the huge human and vehicular traffic, flowing through this intersection.
“To address the challenge of this huge traffic burden, our administration decided to continue with construction of a Precast and Pre-stressed Reinforced Concrete Dual-carriage Flyover and Ramp, with road works, across the Agege Pen Cinema Intersection which was then at about twenty percent completion. This is in line with the first pillar of the THEMES Agenda which targets the provision of roads as a critical infrastructure that will support economic activities, enable commercial interactions and ensure ease of commuting from one part of the state to another through elimination of traffic gridlocks.
The governor noted that prior to the construction of the flyover, the increase in traffic volume across this critical business hub and the resultant congestion was a serious challenge to commuters who throng the axis for businesses and the residents.
“As part of efforts to eliminate gridlocks on major roads around the axis, we identified for reconstruction works some major arterial roads with good connectivity to adjoining roads that could serve as alternative bypasses to other arterial roads, especially during heavy/peak traffic periods, thus helping to free up more traffi
“The Bridge alignment is along Agunbiade Street (along Oke-Koto junction) and spans across the intersections of Old Abeokuta Road, Railway Corridor and Iju-Isaga Road and terminates near the entrance gate of Ijaiye Low Cost Housing Estate along Oba-Ogunji Road. The Bridge is also design to convey traffic from Oba-Ogunji Road into Old Abeokuta towards Abule Egba through ramp across Railway Corridor. This ramp will greatly enhance vehicular movement towards Abule Egba, Fagba and its environs just as it would reduce incessant traffic gridlocks being experience over the years in the area.
“To provide some context, the 1.4km Flyover Bridge has a dual carriageway with 2 lanes of 3.65m width each includes the improvement of road surface around the Agege Pen Cinema axis. It also consisted of dualization, expansion, construction and rehabilitation of 5 Network of Roads and Junctions with turning radius improvement. Provision of new drainage system; Re-routing some roads and traffic signalisation are some of the innovative solutions that were carefully designed to ease the daily gridlock being experienced by commuters in this area.”
Sanwo-olu was very optimistic that the flyover will be resolving the perennial traffic gridlocks arising from the huge human and vehicular traffic, flowing through the Agege Pen Cinema Intersection.
“In the days ahead, commuters will bear witness to the improved vehicular movement and traffic flow with the attendant positive impact on businesses and living in the area.
As transportation is the livewire and wheel that moves every economy, this project will inject considerable life into the socio-economic activities of thousands of people who live, do business or use it to connect their various destinations. It will enhance productive exchanges, boost trade, eliminate the traffic bottleneck and stress previously associated with commuting through the intersection and improve the quality of life of all users.
“To date, our administration has continued to provide the necessary infrastructure for coordinated and sustainable development, thereby offering relief to our people and promoting our performance index on the Ease of Doing Business matrix. Also, through the delivery of this project, we have been able to demonstrate the linkage of delivery of road infrastructure to employment generation, (creating jobs for about 380 persons (including engineers, supervisors, artisans and others). It also shows a component of continuity in Governance,
“A key outcome emanating from the strategic execution of this of the Pen Cinema Flyover Project is that our administration has again demonstrated the topmost priority it accords the welfare and well-being of the people. It is a testament to our commitment to the Greater Lagos Vision.
Sanwo-Olu urged all residents and the good people Lagos to join hands with his administration as they continue to promote economic prosperity through sustainable road infrastructure all over the nook and cranny of the state.
The All Progressives Congress, National Leader, Bola Tinubu, has commended the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led government for showing great commitment to develop and rebuild the state despite the COVID 19 Pandemic and other challenges.
Tinubu thanked his administration for being focus in building Lagos back to progress, saying the present administration had shown great commitment and had not let Lagosians down while making Lagos to become one giant construction site
Tinubu also urged the youths to embrace peace, eschew violence in order to achieve positive and sustainable development adding that destruction would not help them.
Earlier, the Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, said the completion of the project shows the collaboration and strong relationship that exist between the Legislature and the Executive adding that fifty streets had so far been tarred in the area.
In his attestation to good governance, Chairman House Committee on Works and Infrastructure, Abiodun Tobun said the project is going to improve the economic and well-being of the area adding that the credibility of the contractor was not in doubt.
The Old Ipaja road was renamed after Bola Ahmed Tinubu while Dopemu road was renamed after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Some of the special guests at the ceremony included Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat ; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Honorable Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa; Chairman House Committee on Works and Infrastructure, Honorable Mustainu Abiodun Tobun, members of the State House of Assembly and State Executive Council; Party Chieftains and Political Leaders; Iya Oloja General Market Leaders; Traditional, Religious and Community Leaders.
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