‘Roads infrastructure are meant to open up communities for economic devt’

Lagos State government says its roads infrastructure development is meant to connect and open up  communities for economic development, adding that the roads are also aimed to decongest traffic.

Kadri Obafemi Hamzatt, the state  Commisssioner for Works and Infrastructure, who stated this during the handing over of 11.7 kilometre road networks to Addo-Addo Kekere,Langbasa and Ajah-Badore communities in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state, added that infrastructure development also creates jobs for the people.

According to him, a total of 319 people were employed during the construction of the roads thereby reducing poverty and increasing prosperity of the local communities.

He noted that the roads were built to international standard with service ducts, pedestrian walkways, manholes, drains and others provided, pointing out that the construction was part of the strategic inner road development programme of the state government to connect communities.

“Along this axis is also the Badore Jetty Terminal being constructed by the state government; when completed, there will be a seamless link of the road and water transportation”, he said, adding that the new roads also complement others already built such as Kushenla Ojulari, alternative route to Lekki Toll plaza II, and Ilasan-Iroko Awe, all aimed to complement the Lekki Epe Expressway development.

In his speech, Gvernor Babatunde  Fashola emphasised that public infrastructure were people’s assets, hence they must take ownership of the assets in order to prolong their lifespan.

According to the governor,  the newly built roads were expected to last for a minimum of 30 years if well used and properly maintained,  urging the residents to desist from trading on the pedestrian walkways as that might push pedestrians, especially children, to the road thereby causing accidents.

He stressed that the roads were part of the fulfillment of his electoral promises to the people of the state while campaigning in 2011 which was to focus more on inner roads thereby bringing socio-economic development to the communities.

 “This community alone has got 11.7 km of inner roads. We are opening up this community not only by road, but also by water. The Badore Jetty is virtually completed and very soon we will start ferry service from Badore to Ikorodu”, he assured.