We're developing infrastructure for the future - LASG

Lagos State Government says the standard of its projects in roads and other infrastructure is meant to prepare the state for future growth and is a direct response to its mega city status.

Commissioner for Works, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said the efforts of the Governor Babatunde Fashola-led administration in the state were meant to regenerate Lagos as well as comply with best practices. He added that the commitment to the redevelopment of inner road networks in the state was sacrosanct.

A statement from the Ministry of Works on Thursday said the commissioner spoke during an inspection of 14 projects within Ikeja, Eti-Osa and Lekki areas of the state.

He said, "We are now a megacity by virtue of our population.  We must expand the size of our roads, construct walkways, and in some instances, provide bicycle lanes, among others.  We must also directly respond to the challenges of waste generation and the growing prosperity of the people."

Projects visited were the Multi-Agency Office Complex, Alausa, Magistrate Court, Ikeja, ongoing reconstruction of Yaya Abatan/College Road,  Surulere Industrial Road,  Simbiat Abiola Road, Kodesho Road, St. Gregory's Way, Obalende, Osapa and Orile Ilasan Awe road among others.

Hamzat said the 14 projects inspected constituted four per cent of the total number of ongoing projects in the state. He added that roads being developed were chosen on the basis of their carrying capacity and population.

At Obalende, where the government is undertaking the regeneration of the area, the commissioner said the project would transform the bus park and introduce a transport information system, where commuters could identify the buses and take off time.

Hamzat, who said Lagos roads had been built to international standard and specifications, added that all of them were designed to last for between 15 and 20 years.

 "No society uses its roads the way we use ours.  Water should drain off quickly, but we use the drainage channels as garbage site, thus we clog them.  Communities and residents must begin to take ownership of government projects," he said.


Punch