By Niyi Anibaba
During the 2015 electioneering campaign, one of the promises made by the then governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, which was visibly embedded in the party’s manifesto, was his plan to embark on massive road construction across the state.

Explaining how he intended to fulfill the promise, the governor said two roads would be constructed in each local government every year. Much as it drew cheers from party supporters, many had also wondered if it was just a mere campaign gimmick from a candidate in desperate need of votes.

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode

But it didn’t take too long after his swearing-in that residents began to see that they were not being taken for a ride.

Ambode, indeed, wasted no time in matching words with actions. After few weeks in the saddle, by initiated a monthly meeting with the then Executive Secretaries and continued same when the Sole Administrators, who were sworn-in in June this year to take leadership of all the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

During one of the meetings, the governor intimated the council chiefs with his intention to commence the reconstruction of two roads in each of the 57 councils between January and June 2016.

To motivate them, Ambode urged the Executive Secretaries to go back to their communities and liaise with them on the two roads which would be rehabilitated.

While charging the then council bosses to judiciously ensure that the projects were of international standard and that only the best contractors were engaged to ensure that the prescribed standard was met on all the roads, he said the decision to embark on road rehabilitation was in line with the reforms at the local government level. Hence, the execution of the project was left solely in the care of the local governments, with the State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs and Ministry of Works and Infrastructure playing supervisory roles.

The project, the first in the history of the state, drew commendations from various stakeholders, including some die hard critics of the Governor. Not only were the council bosses mandated to select inner roads, they were also given instructions to begin with roads that were in terrible condition, with charging them to ensure that the project was delivered within the stipulated time.

Therefore, the period between September 17 and 24, 2016, according to observers, is seen as a significant milestone in Lagos and the state administration.

Several communities across the 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs were agog with activities. For most of the communities, it was a historic moment they had long being waiting for. The newly constructed 114 inner city roads were set for official inauguration.

In his usual characteristic style depicting his government of inclusion, Ambode mandated several representatives, ranging from members of the State Executive Council to federal and state lawmakers, traditional rulers, political leaders, religious leaders, to inaugurate the roads.

Speaking during the inauguration of Jimoh Street, one of the roads at Ikorodu in Ikorodu North LCDA, the governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, urged contractors handling the 114 road projects in the state to speed up work or be sanctioned.

But he also had kind words for DC-Engineering Ltd., the contractor who worked on Jimoh Street, for being the first to complete the road within the stipulated six months.

In Epe, Ambode, represented by the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Wasiu Anifowoshe, and a party chieftain, Alhaji Shakiru Seriki, commissioned about 610meters road in Ajijolaiya Street, Papa Epe and another 620meters road in Adegoke Atowa Street, Epe.

While urging community leaders, youths and residents of Lagos to take ownership of the roads, the governor  said the completion of the roads was a glorious dawn of community development accelerated through inclusive governance and a historic leap of faith for his administration and the citizens.

He asked residents to guard the infrastructure provided by government for them jealously,  assuring them that more projects would follow those already completed in all  the nooks and crannies of the state.

In Lagos Island, two roads – 320metres Agarawu Street and Sanusi Olusi Street-were commissioned. The governor was represented of the occasion by House of Representatives member, Lagos Island Federal Constituency, Mr. Yakub Balogun, and Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Wasiu Eshinlokun, with the Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu in attendance.

Ongoing construction of Iyana Oworo Bus Stop, Oworosonki, Lagos, inspected by Governor Ambode at the weekend.

In Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, Ambode  commissioned Molade and Temidire roads.

Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Toyin Suarau at the commissioning of Temidire Street road, he said the 114 roads provided jobs directly for 5,000 construction professionals and artisans and indirectly for over 50, 000 dependents.

At the commissioning of Molade Street road, the Ojora of Ojoraland, Oba Abdul-Fatai Oluyinka Aremu Aromire, who represented the governor, said road projects are vital for the development of any community; adding that motorable roads make business strive and engender development.

In Ojokoro LCDA, the governor, who was represented by Mr. Rotimi Agunsoye, representing Kosofe Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, commissioned Bioyin and Ademola Abiola streets.

At the commissioning of Seriki Kemberi Road and Alhaji Rasak Street in Iba LCDA, Ambode warned residents to resist the temptation to convert any of the 114 newly constructed Local Government roads to venue for commercial purposes or parking lot for abandoned vehicles.

Likewise, at the commissioning of Ojediran Shopitan and Taiwo Molajo streets both in Ikorodu West LCDA, he said illegal breaking of roads, usage as automobile workshop, as well as refuse dump, must stop henceforth on the new roads.

At the handover of Borno Way, Ebute-Meta in Lagos Mainland LGA, the governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG) Mr. Tunji Bello, cautioned against arbitrary cutting of roads and vandalism.

Sole Administrator of Igando/Ikotun LCDA, Mr. Samuel Ajayi, at the inauguration of Osunba Street and Balogun Olanrewaju Road, revealed that the Ambode had directed the 57 councils to submit 288 additional roads (four from each council) for construction consideration from 2017.

Ajayi confirmed the receipt of a directive from the governor to submit four new roads for construction, a development he described as unprecedented in the history of Lagos.

Newly constructed and commissioned Sanusi Olusi Road in Lagos Island Local Government, by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as one of the 114 Local Governments Roads, on Monday, September 19, 2016.

At  the commissioning of Federal Low Cost Bypass in Ikorodu North LCDA, Ambode  assured that at least 456 inner city roads would have been commissioned before the end of his administration in 2019.

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Community Affairs, Alhaji Tajudeen Quadri, he said that another set of 114 roads were being identified and would be delivered next year.

Adding his voice, Special Adviser on Education, Obafela bank-Olemoh, at the inauguration of Aborishade Road, Lawanson and Martins Street in Mushin Local Government confirmed that the next set of 114 roads would commence before the end of the year.

He said in another one year, projects that will impact the community and new sets of roads, two in each local government and LCDA area will emerge.

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who represented  Ambode, alongside House of Representatives member, Taofeek Adaranijo, at the commissioning of Ogundele and Fashola Streets at Orile-Agege LCDA, pleaded for more support for the administration and the APC to be able to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

Sole Administrator of Orile-Agege LCDA, Mr. Olufemi Agboola, said the roads are major link roads, which would ease traffic gridlock, reduce travel time, especially the 0.61 kilometres Ogundele road to connect Oja Oba on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

When questions were raised about the choice of local contractors to carry out the projects, the governor was quick to justify the decision. According to him, indigenous contractors were engaged for the project not only to boost employment but also encourage the local construction industry to grow.

Ambode, who spoke in Oshodi-Isolo at the inauguration of Kalejaiye Street, through the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr Ganiyu Johnson, assured residents that any mistake committed by the indigenous contractors in the course of the project would be addressed, adding that the construction of the inner roads was in response to the yearning of the people.

At the commissioning of Ogunyinka Street, also in Oshodi LG, the governor, represented by the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, however, urged indigenous contractors to justify the confidence reposed in them.

In Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, where Awoyejo Buraimoh and Akinola Aiyetoro streets were inaugurated, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Seye Oladejo, and a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Tunde Braimoh, said Nigeria can overcome the current recession if more local contractors are engaged for developmental projects to grow the economy just as the State Government did in the execution of the 114 roads.

Speaking at the commissioning of Balogun Oyero and Adebimpe roads in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Ambode said that the level of work done by the 89 indigenous contractors in the construction of the 114 roads was a direct and indirect way of creating jobs to residents.

In Ikeja Local Government Area, the governor, who inaugurated Onilekere Street, where he was also represented by Tinubu-Ojo, said Lagosians should expect nothing but a better and safer Lagos in the next three years.

During the commissioning of the road in Olu Akerele Street, also in Ikeja LGA, a  former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji lauded Ambode’s administration for taking the dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

At the inauguration of the 500meters Bolaji Banwo Street in Coker Aguda LCDA, Ambode unveiled plans to link inner roads in the state to the Lagos Smart City Project, while it also intends to complement the project with strategic security management driven by technology.

Represented by the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi, at the commissioning of 500meters Bolaji Banwo Street in Coker Aguda LCDA, the governor said security remains one of the cardinal objectives of his administration, and that technology will play a key role in securing residents.

Newly constructed and commissioned Ojediran Street in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as one of the 114 Local Government Roads, on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.

With the the inauguration of the 114 roads, residents are gearing up for the next phase. Already, the various councils have started compiling list of roads expected to get a facelift next year, while community leaders are lobbying with the hope that contractors bull dozers would be making the next stop at their community.