Lagos appoints contractor for Epe road project, meet residents

AHEAD of the proposed road expansion and rehabilitation work by the Lagos State government, the authorities have appointed Messrs Granebury Construction as contractor,  and met stakeholders to iron out some gray areas, especially ensuring affected people receive commensurate compensation.
  
They met at the forum, tagged: “Stakeholders Meeting on the Rehabilitation of Strategic/Arterial/Inner Roads in Epe Local government”, attended by the traditional rulers, women groups, the youths and property owners, businessmen and members of Legislatives both at the state and national levels. The participants agreed that the projects would go unhindered.
   
Speaking, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson, an engineer, listed the roads to include: Lagos Road, Oke Osho/T Junction, Aiyetoro/ Roundabout; Central Mosque Junction/Orita Marun Stream, all categorised as ‘Grade A’. Others are Oloja Estate; Bature/ Otunba Adeniyi/Omotayo/Uthman Mustapha and Raman/Ishawu Owolabi, which are in category ‘B’.
  
According to Johnson, the meeting became imperative because some properties that fell on the Right of ways (ROAs) would need to go, ‘but that as a responsible government, we want to carry you along in the execution of this noble project’.

Realising that there can be no gain without some level of pain and discomfort; he said the project would affect some existing structure in order to achieve the desired Right-of -way.

“We therefore, solicit for the understanding and cooperation of all residents, especially, those whose properties will be affected. We realize that this temporary inconveniences will soon give way to all the conceivable comfort that the project, when completed, will bring top the entire communities”, Johnson assured.

Besides, he said proper enumeration would be made to ensure that the affected people receive commensurate compensation.

Reacting to government’s desire, the traditional ruler of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, while admitted that Epe, out of the xix divisions that Lagos comprised had suffered neglect for long.

“However, we thank God and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for this opportunity. We will support the project and it is compulsory, because Epe is now faced with unimaginable developmental projects.

“We have Lagos Free Trade Zone, the proposed airport, fertilizer plant by Dangote Groups and others like that. At the end of the day, it is Epe that would benefit most”, said the traditional ruler. 

The Chairman, House Committee at the Lagos State of assembly, Mr. Biodun Tobun, urged the compensation should not suffer bureaucratic bottlenecks. Besides, he implored the contractor to patronize local building materials, engaging the youths and artisans in the execution of the project.

Another community member, Managing Director, SEGSON Nigeria Limited, Pastor Segun Ogunade, also implore humane execution of the project. Ogunade, while deploring violence, urged the youths not to see the project as means of exploitation, but rather, a project that would be beneficial to all and sundry.

Oba of Noforija, Babatunde Ogunlaja, while assuring the contractor of molest-free engagement in the course of executing the project, urged parents to warn their wards and children. 

“WE don’t want the Governor to regret coming with this laudable project. Let us all join hands to ensure that its successful completion”, pleaded the traditional ruler.

From women group came the pleading for immediate rehabilitation of some portions along Epe-Temu, Imota Agbowa and Isiu axis where there are craters and potholes. Mrs. Khadijat Ibiyemi, one of the women leader said while the road network within Epe Township is admirable, there is need to address the road leading from the town to IKorodu.

“We are traders going to Mile 12, daily to purchase our goods, but the condition of the road is scarry. On several; occasions, trucks, in the process of trying to avoid potholes would face un-coming vehicles, which is very dangerous. We plead with government to, as matter of urgency, please patch the affected spots”.