Remarks by His excellency at the signing ceremony:
Ladies
and Gentlemen, today, Lagos State is recording another major milestone in it’s
almost 50years of existence. We have just signed a Memorandum of Understanding
on the 4thMainland
Bridge. The 38km bridge and expressway will become the longest bridge and
expressway anywhere when completed.
The
significance of this bridge will be fully appreciated if we can imagine Lagos
of today without the 3rd Mainland Bridge. Almost Thirty years after
the delivery of the 3rd Mainland Bridge; the State has experienced
phenomenal growth to become a megalopolis – a city-State with a population of
over 21 million people. The increase in the State’s population and
expanded commercial activity has led to frequent traffic congestion. This has
made it imperative for us to have a 4th Mainland Bridge that will serve as an
alternative route to the Eastern axis and decongest traffic in the State.
More
importantly this bridge will provide the required transportation compliment to
the rapidly growing industrial activities on the Eti-Osa – Lekki – Epe corridor
of the State.
The
proposed alignment passes through Lekki, Langbasa and Baiyeiku towns along the
shoreline of the Lagos Lagoon estuaries, further running through Igbogbo River
Basin and crossing the Lagos Lagoon estuaries to Itamaga Area in Ikorodu. It
then crosses the Itoikin road and the Ikorodu – Sagamu Road to connect Isawo
inward Lagos Ibadan Expressway at Ojodu Berger axis. The Bridge would be made
up of 8 interchanges to facilitate effective interconnectivity between
different parts of the State.
This
structure will be a Four-lane dual carriageway with each comprising 3 lanes and
2metres hard shoulder on each side. The bridge will be constructed to have a
generous median to allow for both future carriageway expansion and light rail
facility.
There
is no gainsaying the fact that huge benefits will be derived from this project
but most importantly, make life more comfortable for Lagosians.
I must
not fail to mention that this PPP arrangement with our partners, seated here
today, is a major testimony to the confidence they have in our administration
and the Nigerian economy in general. We have learnt our lessons and we are
confident that this project will be delivered on a Win-Win framework for all
investors.
This is
so because this is the first time in the history of the State that we are
embarking on the construction of a long-span bridge and expressway without
Federal funding; and also having a project to be funded solely by the private
sector.
I am
delighted that this project which has been on the drawing board for quite some
time is now set to become a reality. This again, is the Continuity with
improvement which we promised Lagosians.
We have
started the process with the signing of this MOU which is an expression of the
commitment of major stakeholders including the government and the consortium of
consultants and investors to the delivery of the project within the scheduled
time frame.
Let me
use this opportunity to reassure all Lagosians of our commitment to the Lagos
Project with World Class transportation system as a vital component. A
modern and efficient transport system for the movement of people, materials and
finished products is a key requirement for the sustenance of economic growth in
a State like ours.
We
shall therefore continue to leverage on our endowments to explore opportunities
to make ours an efficient, effective and integrated transportation system.
I want
to appreciate everyone present here today; our party leaders, all consultants,
investors and government officials.
Thank
you for making history today.
Itesiwaju
Ipinle Eko, lo je wa l’ogun!
Akinwunmi Ambode
Governor of Lagos State,
Alausa.
No comments:
Post a Comment