Iconic Agege Flyover Bridge: No regrets on the choice of Sanwo-Olu — Tinubu
…says he has turned Lagos back from drifting in wrong direction
By Moses Adeniyi
Commendations have trailed the completion and the official commissioning of the iconic dual carriageway flyover and a five road network at Pen Cinema, Agege Local Government Area, by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The project which was commissioned on Friday in its entirety consist of a 1.4km dual carriageway, Flyover Bridge component with 2 lanes of 3.65m width each in either direction with ramps, including the rehabilitation of five adjoining roads.
The road component consist of Service Lanes on either sides of the Bridge with Median, Kerbs and Walkways, completed with signalized traffic system, junction improvements with low emission diode (LED) Street lights.
Before now, the Pen-Cinema intersection is mostly known as one of the busiest in Lagos metropolis, given its conflicts around six major routes of Abule Egba, Ogba, Agege Oja, Iyana Ipaja, with experience of intensed gridlock.
The solution to the traffic gridlock was conceived in September 2017 in the construction of a Flyover across the Pen-Cinema intersection in addition to the spur linking Old Abeokuta Road.
In his remarks of commendation, National leader, All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described the choice of Governor Sanwo-Olu to pilot Lagos, as the step in the right decision to redeem the State from a drift which was experienced between 2017 and 2018.
According to him, Governor Sanwo-Olu has rather than showing “demonstration of frustration” amidst challenges, demonstrated resilience towards rebuilding the State on the part of development.
His words: “As a government, today I say thank you on behalf of Lagosians for all you have been doing and for the fact that you didn’t let us down. Sometimes in 2017/2018 the ship of this state seems to have headed in a very wrong direction.
“History had it (that) we came together; the election came; (and) we chose democratically the Government of the people, by our poeple and for the people.
“They said who is Babajide Sanwo-Olu and we said guaranteed; you will find out! It would work! Ever since, Babajide Sanwo-Olu became the captain of the ship of our state and he has turned it round to the right direction for progress, development and good leadership quality.”
According to him, the Governor, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and the entire cabinet have demonstrated uncontested “determination to redevelop and rebuild for the people of Lagos State, a fine and determined united government for the progress and quality of life of our people.
“For us, we have a team led by Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu partnered with Obafemi Hamzat and his team of great performance, maintainers and doers, building Lagos back to showcase that where there is steady hand and steady mind, and a focused government, no matter what economic turbulence you run into, you will always steer the ship and make progress. Out of adversity you can bring prosperity.
“Instead of showing demonstration of frustration, you (Governor Sanwo-Olu) has put your hands on the plough; you never looked backed since then and Lagos State has become one giant construction site.
“We thank you for not letting us down. We thank you for who you are and what we believe you are, since the beginning of this administration and before your election,” he said.
On his part, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that the development was borne out of his Administration’s vision to give Lagosians ample opportunity to make productive use of their time as against stressfully wasting same in traffic jam.
He added that it is a resolve to deliberately focus on provision of infrastructure to achieve pre-conceived targets of reducing travel time as envisioned in the Administration’s policy thrust, the THEMES Agenda.
His words: “In our quest to achieve the Transportation and Traffic Management Pillar (T) in our Administration strategic THEMES Agenda, we deliberately focus on provision of infrastructure to achieve pre conceived targets of reducing travel time – save important man-hours that would have been otherwise lost to traffic; provide better riding surface leading to reduced maintenance cost; boost inter connectivity and generally make life more meaningful to Commuters in Lagos State.
“In line with the State Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP), we deployed a two-pronged approach to infrastructure delivery, so as to bring immediate impactful succour and relief to commuters.
“We prioritize continuation of strategic ongoing roads and link bridges, as well development of new roads. We also listed many roads for urgent maintenance, and continue with the provision of on-going strategic offices and public buildings.
“One of the most critical challenges being experienced on daily basis by residents/road users along Agege Pen Cinema axis over the years was the heavy traffic volume occasioned by the geometric increase in traffic volume.
“Residents and road users along this axis have clamoured for a solution to the suffocating nature of the perennial traffic gridlock occasioned by the huge human and vehicular traffic, flowing through this intersection.
“To address the challenge of this huge traffic burden, our administration decided to continue with construction of a Precast and Pre-stressed Reinforced Concrete Dual-carriage Flyover and Ramp, with road works, across the Agege Pen Cinema Intersection which was then at about twenty percent completion.
“This is in line with the first pillar of the THEMES Agenda which targets the provision of roads as a critical infrastructure that will support economic activities, enable commercial interactions and ensure ease of commuting from one part of the state to another through elimination of traffic gridlocks
“As part of efforts to eliminate gridlocks on major roads around the axis, we identified for reconstruction works some major arterial roads with good connectivity to adjoining roads that could serve as alternative bypasses to other arterial roads, especially during heavy/peak traffic periods, thus helping to free up more traffic.”
According to him, re-routing some roads and traffic signalisation are some of the innovative solutions that were carefully designed to ease the daily gridlock being experienced by commuters in the area.
“I have the pleasure to stand before you today and confirm that through the delivery of the Pen Cinema Flyover Bridge which was conceived to transmit vehicular traffic across the intersections at Agege, we will be resolving the perennial traffic gridlocks arising from the huge human and vehicular traffic, flowing through the Agege Pen Cinema Intersection.
“In the days ahead, commuters will bear witness to the improved vehicular movement and traffic flow with the attendant positive impact on businesses and living in the area,” he said.
Stating that transportation is the livewire and wheel that moves every economy, Governor Sanwo-Olu affirmed that the project will inject considerable life into the socio-economic activities of thousands of people who live, do business or use it to connect their various destinations.
“It will enhance productive exchanges, boost trade, eliminate the traffic bottleneck and stress previously associated with commuting through the intersection and improve the quality of life of all users,” he said.
He added that through the delivery of the project, the State have been able to demonstrate the linkage of delivery of road infrastructure to employment generation as the project created jobs for about 380 persons including engineers, supervisors, artisans and others.
“It also shows a component of continuity in Governance. A key outcome emanating from the strategic execution of this of the Pen Cinema Flyover Project is that our administration has again demonstrated the topmost priority it accords the welfare and well-being of the people. It is a testament to our commitment to the Greater Lagos Vision,” he said.
In her remark, the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructures, Engr. (Mrs) Aramide Adeyoye, mentioned that the project is another investment by the Administration “to support businesses, promote economic development and ultimately improve the socio-economic well-being of Lagosians.”
According to her, the solution to the Pen-Cinema congestion was conceived in September 2017 in the construction of a Flyover across the Pen-Cinema intersection in addition to the spur linking Old Abeokuta Road.
“This landmark project aside changing the skyline of the area would indeed ease traffic gridlock tremendously.”
Commending the vision of Governor Sanwo-Olu, and his Deputy Governor Mr Obafemi Hamzat, in continuing to provide sustainable road infrastructure development across the State, she said: “I make bold to say that this administration has indeed shown a deep sense of responsibility and commitment towards the delivery of strategic link roads and bridges in line with the State Strategic Transportation Master Plan (STMP) and THEMES developmental Agenda while ensuring that no Division in the State is left behind.
“This has been aptly demonstrated in the last one year with the commissioning of several road projects such as the 31 network of roads in Ojokoro; AradagunuAradagun-Imeke-Iworo-Ajido-Epeme Road with Bridge in Badagry; Fadipe, Salami, Eyiowuawi and Odubanjo Streets in Shomolu; Alhaji Akinwunmi Street in Mushin; (Oniru Network of Roads Traffic Circulation Project in Eti Osa; Jide Oki/Ade Odederin, Moshood Olugbani Streets in Iru Victoria LCDA among others.”
According to her, another project near maturity for commissioning is the completed Ariyo (Mile 10), Ira-Muwo Bridge in Ojo Local Government Area.
On his part, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, commended the friendly parley that has existed with collaborative relationship between the State Executive and the Legislature.
According to him, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led Administration’s commitment to development course, with cordial relationship with the legislature has largely enhanced the quality of governance in the State.
The Bridge alignment is along Agunbiade Street (along Oke-Koto junction) and spans across the intersections of Old Abeokuta Road, Railway Corridor and Iju-Isaga Road and terminates near the entrance gate of Ijaiye Low Cost Housing Estate along Oba-Ogunji Road.
The Bridge is also designed to convey traffic from Oba-Ogunji Road into Old Abeokuta towards Abule Egba through ramp across Railway Corridor. This ramp will greatly enhance vehicular movement towards Abule Egba, Fagba and its environs just as it would reduce incessant traffic gridlocks being experience over the years in the area.
