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Lagos govt commences N29b redevelopment of Ketu-Ikorodu Road

By on August 13, 2012

The Lagos State Government, Monday said it has commenced the redevelopment of the Ketu to Ikorodu Township road just as it announced that it will partner with Ogun State to redevelop three federal roads linking of their border communities.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, stated this at the Ikorodu Township Hall where he led other members of the State Executive Council to represent State Governor at the Lagos East Senatorial District presentation of 100 days of the Governor.

He disclosed that the redevelopment will cost the State Government N29 billon with the road having 6 lanes and an integrated median demarcation for the BRT buses to ply.

Other features are the pedestrian bridges designed to allow ease of access for commuters while preventing access by non users and barriers that ensures un hindered movement for the buses.He explained further that the administration is committed to a partnnership with the Ogun State Government to rehabilitate three Federal roads linking communities in the 2 States.

They include the Ikorodu “ Sagamu Road, the Akute-Ojodu/ Berger road and Epe” Ijebu Ode road. He disclosed that there had been fruitful discussion between the two State Governments to facilitate the quick delivery of the projects.

He added that in the face of nil response for the Federal Government which has responsibilities for the road it has become expedient for the States to act in the interest of the people.

Hamzat also noted that the State is determined to create alternative road for Ikorodu given the traffic count and increase in the number of residents.

He added that the project, based on the initial survey will see the road cross from Ojodu/Berger to Isawo.

According to him, while the project is still on the drawing board, initial estimated cost is N60 billion with a compensation component of N5 billion.

This, he explained is due to the fact that the route is fully built up and there is the need to do bridges over water areas.

The Commissioner also stated that the State Government is determined to realize the goal of food security and has thus enhanced the Agric-Yes programme; a programme designed to provide youth with employment.

He added that the State Government has purchased several Hectares of land for agriculture in States like Ogun, Osun and Benue. According to him the State Government is in the process of finding a private sector partner for the 20,000 tonnes capacity Rice Processing Mill located at Imota area of the District.

He added that the capacity represent only 5 per cent of the current demand of the State. Dr Hamzat further stated that the Fashola administration has signed an MOU with Songhai Regional Centre of Benin Republic to provide an Integrated Agriculture Development model, which reduces bio waste and generate its own independent energy from wastes.

While responding comment on the inability of Local Governments to effectively discharge their responsibilities, Dr Hamzat said the situation is attributable to the revenue sharing formula adopted in Nigeria where the Federal share is 59 per cent while the other two tiers comprising of 36 State Governments and 774 local Governments take the balance of 41 per cent.

He said what the State Government takes from the local Governments is the share payable for jointly used franchises such as the ORACLE facility.

While explaining that it is not the State Government responsibility to provide electricity, Hamzat noted that the distribution of 91 transformers to communities was to ensure that the national agency responsible do not have a reason to delay linking the communities to the national grid in the name of transformers.

He assured that the State is actively involved in the process of unbundling of PHCN so as to facilitate adequate provision of light in the State and met the electricity of the people and citizens of the State.

On the education, he explained that the State is determined to provide first class education for its people adding that increase in fees for the state varsity LASU was in line with the realization of that goal.

He said there was a back up in the scholarship and bursary awards to mitigate the effect of the increment.

Present at the event were traditional rulers like the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Alara of Ilara, Ranodu of Imota and several others.

The political class were represented by the past Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Speaker, Rt Hon. Jokotola Pelumi, Former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Olorunfunmi Basorun, chieftains of Action Congress of Nigeria and other market leaders and religious leaders.