Thursday last week marked a major milestone for residents and commuters in Ikeja’s GRA, as the Lagos State government handed over a revamped network of roads, transforming the daily commute and quality of life for thousands.
The state government has been hard at work rehabilitating roads across the state. In fact, they’ve recently completed work on several roads, covering many kilometres. Some of the areas the governor commissioned rehabilitated include: Ifako/Ijaiye, Alimosho, Shomolu, Kosofe, among others.
These road repairs are part of the state government’s efforts to ensure smooth traffic flow and boost socio-economic activities. Also, the Lagos State Public Works Corporation has been working tirelessly to maintain and rehabilitate roads across the state, with a focus on providing comfort to motorists and promoting economic growth.
So critical are the particular roads rebuilt to the motoring public that residents of the GRA are probably the secondary beneficiaries.
This is so because the Ikeja GRA, apart from being a major business and hospitality hub is also a transit route for many motorists especially during rush hours.
Built initially with no drainage system, the new roads rehabilitated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu are now furnished with drainages on both sides, markings, walkways and street lights. They are modern as they should be.
The five strategic networks of roads with improved drainage networks at Ikeja GRA in the Ikeja Local Government Area are Oba Dosumu Street, Oduduwa Way, Oduduwa Crescent, Sobo Arobiodu and Sasegbon Streets.
Spanning a total length of 6,134 kilometres, the network of roads complements Isaac John, Joel Ogunnaike Street, Oba Ladejobi and Harold Shodipo, which were upgraded earlier.
The newly rehabilitated roads will ease vehicular movement, improve interconnectivity and also enhance the drainage network, ensuring efficient stormwater management to combat the recurrent flooding that has plagued the area.
At the event, the governor said that the network of roads would bring about socio-economic growth and development of the area, improve the quality of lives of residents, and impact positively on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state.
He said: “The rehabilitated roads and drainage systems will mitigate flooding and erosion, reduce traffic congestion and commute times. It will also enhance safety and security, improve the aesthetics of the environment, and increase property values. More importantly, the completion of this network of roads is expected to further boost business turnover, ultimately contributing to the growth of the state’s GDP.
“This achievement would not have been possible without your support and commitment. We have devoted significant time, energy, and resources to implementing strategies for a better Lagos for ourselves and future generations, and it is gratifying to see these efforts yielding results”.
As highlighted earlier, the GRA is no longer a residential only city, it is now a commercial and hospitality hub. Some of the best hotels and restaurants are located there. With this, traffic has greatly increased both in numbers and axle load. Also, many supermarkets and company head offices now operate from the GRA. It means more traffic.
It is therefore futuristic for the state government to not only fix dilapidated roads, but expand them with complimentary road infrastructure to meet the expectations of the people and new status of the city.
The specific roads help to evacuate traffic either end of the GRA – connecting commuters from the Agege Motor road/Abeokuta expressway towards the end of Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way around Ikeja cantonment/Maryland with little hitch.
The network of rehabilitated roads also help to decongest traffic coming from Oba Akran Avenue/Kodesoh Street/Obafemi Awolowo Way through LASUTH in a manner that keeps traffic light on MBA way/domestic Airport freeing up the road for travellers hoping to catch their flights.
For residents and visitors, the governor and the state government have solved key commuting bottlenecks without creating distractions on major highways. And for residents and workers in the mini city, commuting has become a lot easier, the ambience beautiful to the eyes.
The state government has been hard at work rehabilitating roads across the state. In fact, they’ve recently completed work on several roads, covering many kilometres. Some of the areas the governor commissioned rehabilitated include: Ifako/Ijaiye, Alimosho, Shomolu, Kosofe, among others.
Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to infrastructure development across Lagos State is indeed a reassuring reality. His administration has been working tirelessly to ensure that no local government is left behind, and this is evident in the numerous projects they’ve either completed or ongoing.
