Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday, visited some of the major traffic flaspoints in the metropolis, stating that his administration will provide solutions to traffic snarls in the state just as he approved the construction of a pedestrian bridge at Ojodu Berger Bus Stop.
The Governor, who spoke at Dopemu in Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, after the inspection, said he decided to carry out the personal assessment to get a first hand experience of what the situation is.
“We’ve been to 3rd Mainland, Oworonshoki, Ketu, Abule-Egba, Alimosho and Mile 12.
‘’That’s not the end of the story. We’re still going to Apapa and Mile 2. The truth is that we must start to have solutions to our traffic challenges in the state and that’s what we are doing.
“I have here with me, heads of agencies that are concerned with the traffic situation. I like them to speak to you directly and let you know that we are together as a team, you are going to start seeing solutions to the traffic challenges soon.
INSPECTION: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State (2nd left); Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello (2nd right), General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Babatunde Edu (right) and Managing Director, Lagos State Number Plate Production Authority, Mr. Folarin Coker during the inspection tour of traffic points in the state at Oworonsoki, Lagos, yesterday.
INSPECTION: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State (2nd left); Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello (2nd right), General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Babatunde Edu (right) and Managing Director, Lagos State Number Plate Production Authority, Mr. Folarin Coker during the inspection tour of traffic points in the state at Oworonsoki, Lagos, yesterday.
“It’s not enough for us to stay in our offices believing that we can find solutions to the traffic challenges of the state. So, we decided to go round to see how we can improve on the worsening traffic.
‘’What we have done in the last three hours is to show that we are greatly concerned about the traffic gridlock that we have been experiencing in the last few months”, the Governor said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna.
Speaking further on the pedestrian bridge at Berger, the governor said “We have seen that Berger needs a foot bridge and immediately the engineers are going to go to work and we will make sure that we put something there.
‘’In addition to the footbridge, the state government would also ensure that it makes the road free at all times, because whatever happens there, will have a backlash on the 3rd Mainland bridge which can even extend to the Oworonshoki end,’’ the governor said.
While addressing some residents at the Go-yee Junction in Dopemu area he gave an assurance that the State will create traffic lights and expand the road at the two ends so that people can turn easily without causing hindrance, adding that he shares their concern about traffic build-up in the area.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Seyi Coker who also spoke, expressed optimism that with the inspection Lagosians would see some improvement on the roads.
Coker recalled that Governor Ambode on assumption of office, directed that the Ministry of Transportation identify problematic traffic points in the metropolis which the ministry complied with immediately.
The General Manager of Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Engineer Ayotunde Sodeinde who also spoke said the Governor has approved funds for the Agency to start work immediately.