ByMansur Olowoopejo, Gabriel Olawale & Yinka Ajayi
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday, sympathised with residents over the traffic congestion on Apapa- Oshodi- Oworonshoki – Ojota Expressway.
Speaking during the flag-off of the reconstruction of the road, Ambode said: “We are not happy that we are making life so difficult for the people living and doing business around Apapa area. But we believe strongly that the reconstruction of the road in the area is the right step we should take that will ultimately lead to relieving people the burden that this gridlock has always caused”.
He pointed out that the real solution remained
interconnectivity of rail, road and water which the Federal Government is committed to.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, pointed out that the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway, built about 40 years ago, had not witnessed any major reconstruction despite several years of oil boom.
He disclosed that the ports at Apapa could no longer cope with the business activities around the area which necessitated the speedy construction of new ports.
He commended Dangote Group for its commitment to President Muhammadu Buhari’s mandate on the ease of doing business. “The construction is supposed to take two years but AG Dangote promised that in a period less than that the project will be completed”, he said.
“Some people ask me why is it Dangote? And I told them that Dangote is one of the few Nigerians that believe in this country and invest their money here while some people prefer to stash it outside the country”.
On his part, President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote said that the project, which will be the largest concrete road in West Africa, will be delivered ahead of two years completion target.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Dr Kabiru Gaya, commended Buhari for gradually turning the whole country into a construction site.
