By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Saturday, expressed determination of his administration to embark on the proposed Regional Road in Lekki-Ajah axis in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, despite, encroachment on the right of way.

Sanwo-Olu, however, disclosed that plans have concluded to commence its construction before the month of May this year.

The governor who disclosed this while on inspection tour of the Regional Road alignment said the government would remove the contraventions to give way for the construction of the road.

He said there was the need to remodel the design and alignment for the road in order to reclaim the right-of-way already encroached on by property developers along the corridor.

The Governor accompanied on the tour by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, among others said the road is very strategic.

He stressed that it was the second time he would be going round the alignment of the 9.3 kilometre-long, 45 metres wide road, which he described as strategic in the implementation of Lekki Masterplan Development.

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Sanwo-Olu said the road would not only bring relief to traffic for commuters, motorists, plying axis, but improve quality of life for residents of the area.

According to him: “This is the second time in two months that we are going round the alignment of Regional Road. What it means is that we are getting close to the reality of developing this corridor, which starts from somewhere close to Victoria Garden City (VGC) and terminates at Freedom Road in Lekki.

“The road, which is parallel to Lekki-Epe Expressway, is strategic for us in our Lekki Masterplan Development programme. While we went round the alignment, we discovered that there are so many estates behind this place. Construction of Regional Road will not only give relief, but it would also enhance movement and improve quality of life for our people.

“There has been encroachment on the identified right-of-way. What we are doing now is to see how to resolve all these issues before we go into final tendering process to pick the would-be contractor for the job.”

Sanwo-Olu said much of the right-of-way for the proposed road remained intact from encroachment, adding that properties built within the road alignment would be pulled down to allow the construction.

He added that government would be meeting with the owners of the affected properties to discuss relocation plan.

He said: “We want the people to know that this Regional Road is part of the development that will ease the Fourth Mainland Bridge we will be constructing. It is strategic because it would ease pressure off the Lekki-Epe Expressway. In future, there is another highway that will extend from Freedom Road to Ilubrin and Third Mainland Bridge. We are hoping that before our first anniversary in office, the contractor would have moved to site for the construction of the Regional Road.”

Vanguard Nigeria News