By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

IKEJA—The Lagos State Government has attributed the delay in the early completion of the ongoing road reconstruction of Ago Palace Way, Okota to litigation by property owners in the area.

The Ago Palace Way is a strategic by-pass that not only links Oshodi- Apapa Expressway to Amuwo-Odofin and Festac Town; it also opens up an alternative route from Festac/Amuwo to Ikotun, Ejigbo, Egbeda and Isolo.

In recent times, there had been expressions of concern about the pace and impact of the reconstruction works on the road, with the people complaining about demolition, cost of transportation, man-hours lost to traffic, non-availability of alternative routes and fear of flooding allegedly occasioned by the construction works.

According to Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, through Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Mr. Biola Fagunwa, arising from the  complaints, the commissioner, in the company of the management and project staff of the ministry, visited the road three times recently to ascertain the state of things and find immediate solutions, adding that the visit had been revealing “and the basis for putting up palliatives.”

Hamzat stated: “It has, however, become necessary to state in the overall interest of all that the effort of the government to provide a befitting road for the use of the people and residents alike is currently being hampered by litigation.”

As an existing road within a built up area, the commissioner noted there is bound to be removal of some structures. “However, when demolition occurs, government has made it a point of duty to consult widely and pay adequate compensation to all those with legally tenable claims. This was the case with this particular road and all other such roads.

“Early in the life of the project designed, there had been stakeholders meetings to discuss the modalities for the reconstruction work. At those meetings, it was agreed that all structures hampering construction should be removed by the owners except for where it is beyond their capabilities.”

The commissioner, while expressing gratitude to all residents who had removed obstructions which were mainly gates, walls and shops and not main building, said despite the agreement, allegation of sharp practices was alleged even though there are inviolable evidences to the contrary.”

Hamzat explained that the agreed construction work plan submitted by the construction company, China Civil Engineering and Construction Company, CCECC Nigeria Limited indicated that the drain channels were to be done prior to proper road construction, “this had been done except for the area where litigations had stalled completion.”

“Again, the fears expressed seem to fail to take cognizance of the fact that the drainage are already created to take the waters resulting from incessant rainfall the state will likely face in the year. It is also important for the people to endure the challenges that may arise. The way out is always perseverance and a commitment to the greater benefit that will be realized. This is even more so in the giant stride being made by this administration.

“Obviously, we empathise with the people who have been affected by the development of the road. It is a price being paid for the greater gain that will manifest in improved travel time, reduction in maintenance cost, increase in property value among others.