Governor Babatunde Fashola
Lagos State Government at the weekend replied its critics on the ongoing redevelopment of the Mile 12-Ikorodu road, noting that it was singularly providing funding for the project, to the tune of over N29 billion.
The state government however acknowledged the support of the World Bank and French Development Agency (AFD), which it said, provided it technical assistance for the project redevelopment.
Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola disclosed this recently at a stakeholders’ meeting recently held with residents of wetland communities.
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Mobereola, who was represented at the stakeholders’ meeting by LAMATA Director of Finance, Mr. Iyiola Adegboye, categorically noted that the project was being funded by the state government.
He explained that even though the state government obtained credit facilities from the World Bank and AFD, there was an understanding that the facilities would be paid back within a timeframe.
He therefore gave a vivid description of the road project, which comprises a comprehensive pla.n to extend the bus rapid transit (BRT) to Ikorodu and its adjoining communities from Mile 12 where it currently stops.
Mobereola also explained that the ongoing construction of a six-lane road including two BRT corridors would mostly affect fences, walls and frontages of the affected buildings along the corridor.
He asked those whose residents would be affected to cooperate with the state government, pointing out that only 10 per cent of them had submitted their property documents for compensation.
He urged the property owners “not to fear at all. The state government will not make things difficult for the property owners. In most cases, we will not put down houses. But fences and walls will be affected.
“The state government seeks the understanding and cooperation of all the stakeholders along the corridor as well as the general public during the on-going redevelopment of the road and BRT project,” he said.
He added that the project would definitely generate more than 2,000 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs, assuring that there would be better environment and less pollution as well as greenhouse gas along the corridor would be reduced by 16 percent.
He further gave insight into ultra-modern infrastructure, which he said, was designed with the six-lane road comprising fifteen new bridges, three terminals, bus depot, seven pedestrian bridges, twelve new U-turns, nine pedestrian crossing points, lane marking and signalized junctions.
At the meeting, Majority Leader of the Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Ajibayo Adeyeye, promised the support of communities and their residents, though demanded the youths from the axis should be employed.
SOURCE Thisdayonline.com
