4th Mainland Bridge: Lagos set to sign MoU with investors
After several years of failed expectations, there is a ray of hope that the long anticipated 4th Mainland Bridge, to connect the Lagos Island and Mainland, may come through after all.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said yesterday that his administration would, before May 29, 2016, formally sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with investors for the construction of the bridge.
Ambode also affirmed that the first phase of the Blue Line rail on Lagos-Badagry Expressway, was 85 percent complete, as the state government was proposing the rail to commence operations by end of this year.
Unlike the three existing bridges connecting the island and the mainland, which are free from tolling, the 4th Mainland Bridge will likely be tolled, as the private investors will want to recoup their money.
The bridge had been in the pipeline for the past 14 years, but nothing significant achieved. The construction of the bridge was proposed to cost over N240 billion.
“Many investors have shown interest in the actualisation of our dream for the 4th Mainland Bridge, which will run from Ajah to Ikorodu to Isawo and berth at Ojodu, Ikeja, back to the Ibadan Expressway.
“By the grace of God, we will sign an MoU and commence action before May 29,” Ambod said at the quarterly town hall meeting with constituents of Lagos East Senatorial District, in Ikorodu yesterday.
The governor also informed that investors had equally shown interest in the redevelopment of the fish market to an international market and the redevelopment of inner roads in Epe and Ibeju-Lekki area.
He said work at the bridge when actualised would go a long way to boost the economy of Lagos East Senatorial District.
The governor said the intention of his administration was to ensure that no part of the state was left undeveloped, expressing optimism that the Lagos East Senatorial District, which used to be the economic hub of the state in the then Western Region, would regain its position.
“Over the years, the economic activities have continually dwindled resulting in urban migration, underdevelopment and unemployment. It is with a view of revitalizing the economic activities of this zone that Government has identified the need for urgent intervention.
“To this end, government will be relocating the Mile 12 Market to Imota. Work on this will commence next week. Our vision is to make the East Senatorial Zone economically viable and liveable”, he said.
On the menace of motorcycles, otherwise known as Okada, Ambode asked the people to decide whether they wanted a total ban on such mode of transportation in a city like Lagos, a question which was answered in the affirmative by majority of the stakeholders in the hall who raised their hands in support.
“I’m encouraged by this very transparent, credible, free and fair affirmation which I just got from the people. From the response, many of the people in this hall are in support of a total ban on Okada and since this is a government of the people, all the security agencies in Lagos including the police, task force, LASTMA and others, to start with, are hereby directed to fully enforce the ban on Okada between Mile 12 and Ikorodu.
“We will not tolerate Okada on the road and I hereby emphasize that there is no more Okada on Mile 12-Ikorodu Road. Anyone caught flouting this directive will have their Okada impounded and we would prosecute such people as well before the court,” he said.
Ambode, who also responded to pleas by residents in Ikorodu on the need for the expansion and rehabilitation of the road network, assured that the government will explore the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative to transform the Ikorodu-Imota-Agbowa-Itokin-Epe Road into a standard 8-lane Road.