By Kingsley Adegboye & Olasunkanmi Akoni
With work on the first phase of the expansion of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway now at an advanced stage, the Lagos State Government last week, assured stakeholders along that corridor of the second phase of the expansion of the expressway that the establishment of the Right- of- Way, ROW will be concluded within the next 21 days.

Meanwhile, to ensure the safety of the residents of Mile 12 and other citizens of the state, The assurance is coming at a time that the Lagos State House of Assembly  called on Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to give urgent attention to the dilapidated pedestrian bridge in the area.

On the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure,  Dr Obafemi Hamzat said that all markets along the route would be properly relocated adding that a parcel of land had been acquired in Mowo that could accommodate all the people so dislodged.

Compensation

While also assuring that stakeholders’ interest would be taken into consideration in the project implementation, the commissioner said issues of compensation will be handled in accordance with the law. He however, urged all genuine owners of properties along the route to present necessary titles to the properties to qualify them for compensation

Hamzat who said that about N1.5Billion was paid for compensation under the 1st phase, emphasised that appropriate title was needed to establish true owners of properties and avoid duplication of compensation.

He stated that independent Estate Surveyors and Valuers would be engaged to conduct a fair valuation of the affected properties and determine the amount due to each property owner.

Dr Hamzat  assured that the same standard used in the execution of the first phase will be applied in the second phase, adding that facilities and service within the Right- of- Way, ROW would be relocated to the sides of the carriageway as it was done during the first phase . According to him, 120m Right- of Way would be maintained along the road alignment, except at the Toll Plazas and Interchanges.

The commissioner further stated that stakeholders should wait on the plans of government before taking actions which could lead to double expenditure on their part.

Inspects road projects in Ikorodu

In a related development, the commissioner has expressed satisfaction with ongoing road rehabilitation projects in the Ikorodu area. Hamzat who inspected the projects with journalists to ascertain their completion levels, was impressed by what he saw on ground. He observed that the contractors were working within the terms of agreement reached with his ministry.

Assuring that the various road rehabilitation projects awarded in phases and at different times  would be delivered on schedules, the commissioner noted that standards specified for the contractors  would not be compromised. He stated that  the projects would be monitored regularly by officials of his ministry to ensure they comply with the required standards.

The sites visited include 7 kilometre-Ibeshe Road, 2.5 kilometre-Awolowo Road and 1.5 Borokini/Ola Saheed Street. Others were the construction of roads network in Palm Avenue Community, Ijede, construction of Isiu-Eweye Street, Odogunyan/Odonla Link Road, Odonla,  Oju Emuren Road, Odogunyan and  rehabilitation of internal roads in Owutu.

The commissioner noted that the Ibeshe Road which is being handled by Arab Contractors is the only motorable access to Oshorun and Ibeshe villages, adding that as a result of old age, increased traffic volume and gradual development of the axis, the road which rehabilitation commenced September 2010, had deteriorated considerably thereby causing untold hardship to residents and commuters plying the road.