Motorists and residents in the Agege and Ikotun-Igando local councils of Lagos State were excited on Wednesday following the commissioning of the reconstructed Abaranje Road in the Ikotun-Igando Local Council Development Area and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Old Dopemu) Road in the Agege Local Government Area.
They applauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for completing the projects in a timely manner, which they said had enormously impacted their lives.
Speaking after the commissioning, a resident, Funmilayo Daniel, recalled the difficulties they faced before the construction of the road.
According to Daniel, a resident, “This road is good. The government did not just give us a road; they gave us a solid road. Unlike before, people are afraid to visit us, but with the new improvements to our road, it’s easier and safer for our people.
Speaking on the condition of the road, Idowu Olaiya, a landlord in the area, said before the road reconstruction, going out was difficult, adding that,’’ the journey from here to Ikotun is just about three minutes if the road is okay. But now it takes us almost 30 minutes, which is very unfortunate. I don’t go out with my car. What type of life is that? After struggling to get money for my life, everything looks miserable.’’
Joseph Njoku, a businessman in the area, said, “The road was so bad that even before you get to your house, you will spend less than N2,000 from this Ikotun to your own house in Ikotun here. Sometimes, the road is so bad that you cannot cross to the other side. These tricycles, popularly known as ‘Keke Maruwa’, will not cross. The motor will not cross. The bike will not cross. Everybody has to stop over. If we reach, we will stop.
We will use the leg and cross, and enter another bus going to the street.’’
Speaking during the commissioning, Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the reconstruction of the Abaranje Road further demonstrates the administration’s unwavering commitment to continually energise the local economy by providing essential infrastructure that would promote development across the state’s nooks and crannies.
He said the state government is determined to bring relief to residents and make commuting pleasurable for the state’s people.
The governor added that, aside from the roads commissioned in the area, Alimosho has a fair share of road projects completed by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration.
He listed the roads as Akesan Obadore Road, Ishefun Camp-Davies Road with a Jetty, Lagos-Ogun State Boundary Road (Phase 2), Agric Access Road (Bamidele Kasali/Disu Ekunrin Road), and Isuti Road, among others.
In his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, whose office supervised the project’s delivery, said that Abaranje Road was in a deplorable state before the award.
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