The Nation Newspaper

Tag: roads

Ugwuanyi to inaugurate roads to mark anniversary

The Enugu State Urban Renewal Committee has said Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi will inaugurate some roads across the state as part of the activities marking his one year in office.

The committee’s chairman, Chris Offor, spoke during the inspection of some of the roads.

He hailed the governor for his development initiatives and commitment to his campaign promises, despite the current economic challenges in the country.

Offor said Ugwuanyi recorded remarkable feats, especially in infrastructural development, because of his passion for good governance and steadfastness to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.

The chairman, who expressed delight over the performance of the construction companies, which completed their projects for the inauguration, noted that this followed the importance the governor attached to prompt delivery of dividends of democracy to the people.

According to him, the Nike Lake Road and Amaeke-Ngwo-Nsude-9th Mile By-pass Road, built by Setraco Nigeria Limited and CCC Nigeria Limited, had been completed for inauguration.

May 23, 2016
Residents beg Ambode to prioritise water, roads, electricity in Badagry

Residents of Badagry have urged Governor Akinwu-nmi Ambode and the lawmakers from the area to prioritise provision of water, roads and transformers for the people.

The residents made the plea at the official inauguration of eight modern boreholes donated to the Badagry Constituency II by the lawmaker representing the area, Mr Setonji David.

Setonji, who represents Badagry Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, donated the boreholes to mark the 2016 World Water Day in his constituency.

He said he decided to provide the boreholes to make potable water available because many residents had no access to potable water in the area.

According to him, many ailments and diseases could be prevented by access to potable water.

He said: “Water is life and it is one of the basic necessities of life. It is unfortunate that many people still walk long distance in search of water, water scarcity and stress is still on the rise. When we provide clean water for citizens, they will be healthy and we will spend less money on health care.

“In Badagry, most people do not have access to potable water and we cannot continue to look and leave them in their plight. I want to appeal to Gov. Ambode to come to the rescue of Badagry people and other areas with water challenge.”

The lawmaker who is Chairman, House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development assured the residents that government was working hard to improve electricity and roads.

Pastor Olusegun Odesanya, the Chairman, Ibiye Town Community Development Association (CDA) in Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA), said residents had challenges of potable water.

The cleric said: “The challenge of water here is so much that we have started using this borehole long before today using our power generator for pumping of water.”

Also speaking, Alhaja Oluwakemi Idowu, the Woman Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Olorunda LCDA’s Ward C, who commended the lawmaker for the borehole, said that residents spend a lot of money to buy potable water.

Baale of Agemowo in the same LCDA, Chief Solomon Godonu said,”We thank the lawmaker but we need more development in the area of road and electricity. Our roads are bad.”

The boreholes are located in Itakete Quarter, Singbomeh Compound Age Mowo, New layout close , Ilogbo Eremi, and Ago Egun Quarters, Ibiye in Olorunda LCDA , Badagry.

May 18, 2016
Photo: Ambode commissions roads and classrooms

R-L: Representative Of Lagos State Governor, Attorney General & Commissioner For Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (right), cutting the tape to commission the Aduke Street, Ojo Road in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government built by the Lagos State Government, on Monday, May 16, 2016. With him is Chairman/CEO, Lagos State Ferry Service, Mr. Paul Kalejaye (2nd right).

R-L: Representative Of Lagos State Governor, Attorney General & Commissioner For Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (4th right), with Head/CEO, Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute, Prince Adewale Ojora; former Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House Of Assembly, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo; Commissioner For Local Government & Community Affairs, Hon. Muslim Folami and Chairman/CEO, Lagos State Ferry Service, Mr. Paul Kalejaye during the unveiling of the plaque to commission Aduke Street, Ojo Road in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government built by the Lagos State Government, on Monday.

Representative of Lagos State Governor, Commissioner for Special Duties (2nd right), Mr. Oluseye Oladejo (middle), Alaketu of Ketu, Oba Isiaka Balogun Oyero; Executive Secretary, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Hon. Afolabi Kazeem; former Vice Chairman, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Mrs. Bola Kazeem; Senator Olorunnibe Mamora; Oloworo of Oworoshoki, Oba Olohuntoyin Bashiru Saliu and Executive Secretary, Adgboyi-Ketu LCDA, Hon. Christy Etuyalo during the commissioning of Roads at Oladele, Shoyebi, Ademola Taiwo/Alamu Taiwo/Ogunsola Streets in Kosofe Local Government, on Monday.

Representative of Lagos State Governor, Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo (left); Executive Secretary, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Hon. Afolabi Kazeem (2nd right), with residents during the commissioning of Roads at Oladele, Shoyebi, Ademola Taiwo/Alamu Taiwo/Ogunsola Streets in Kosofe Local Government, on Monday.

Representative of the Lagos State Governor and Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf (2nd left), with Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal (2nd right); Iyaloja of Sanni Liver Pool Apapa, Mrs. Aweni Abdulai (right) and Executive Secretary, Apapa Local Government, Hon. Bolaji Dada (left) during the commissioning of the Sanni Liverpool Jetty in Apapa Local Government built by the Lagos State Government, on Monday.

L-R: Representative of the Lagos State Governor and Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf (middle); Executive Secretary, Apapa Local Government, Hon. Bolaji Dada; Ojora of Ijora, Oba Abdulfatai Oyeyinka Ojora; Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal and Commissioner for Local Government & Community Affairs, Hon. Muslim Folami during the commissioning of upgraded roads within Apapa Central Business District -Marine Road; Bombay Cresent; Randle Road; Ibikunle Akintoye Street; Commercial Road; Burma Road; Pleateau Road, Zeek Avenue Marine Road Extension and Connector Road in Apapa Local Government built by the Lagos State Government, on Monday.

Representative of the Lagos State Governor and Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh (right), with Executive Secretary, Badagry Local Government, Hon. Elizabeth Kappo (left), unveiling the plaque to formally commission the newly constructed Blocks of Classrooms at Badagry Senior Grammar School, Badagry by the Lagos State Government, on Monday.

Representative of the Lagos State Governor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh (2nd left); cutting the tape to formally commission the newly constructed Blocks of Classrooms at Badagry Senior Grammar School, Badagry by the Lagos State Government, on Monday, May 16, 2016. (L-R) With him are former Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Akinsanya Sunny Ajose; Executive Secretary, Badagry Local Government, Hon. Elizabeth Kappo, Executive Secretary, Badagry West, Prince Joseph Agoro (behind) and Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe.

The newly constructed and commissioned Ultra Modern Block of 6 Classrooms at Methodist Primary School, Ashipanu, Seme, Badagry West LCDA by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday.

May 17, 2016
N10b released for completion of 114 local govt roads

Lagos State Government has released N10.8billion for the completion of the 114 roads being constructed in the 57 councils next month.

A statement yesterday by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Olohuntele Folami, said the project was made possible through tax payers’ money.

Folami said the second stage payment of N5.5 billon released on Monday represented 61 per cent of the cost of the 114 roads at N17.85billion.

He said: “The government again reiterates that as long as Lagosians continue to fulfil their civic responsibility and obligation, the government will continue to spend its resources wisely and Lagosians will continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

“We urge Lagosians to continue to pay their taxes, so as to be able to enjoy the dividends of democracy, the money they are paying is what the government is using to construct these roads across the length and breadth of the state.”

May 12, 2016
114 local govt roads ready next month

The ongoing construction of roads in the 57 councils in Lagos State will be completed next month, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs Muslim Folami said yesterday.

At the ongoing Ministerial Press Briefing to herald the first anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration, Folami said: “Let me assure you that the 114 roads being constructed across the state would be delivered soon.”

He said 6,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs were created in the councils since the project bagan.

The commissioner also confirmed that local government elections would take place this year, saying: “You will recall that there was a judgment on the administration of local governments, but the government appealed that judgment, so it is still in court now, therefore, I cannot say much more than this, what I can only confirm and say categorically is that the local government election would be held this year but I cannot specifically give you a date.”

Folami said the government approved the upgrading and appointment of 605 obas, chiefs and Baales, adding that their welfare and capacity building are given “utmost attention.”

He said in line with the government efforts to ensure that the roads are accessible for 24 hours, 84 street gates were destroyed for minor compliance with their duration for their opening and closure.

Folami said: “The ministry promoted 24-hour access through gated streets in the state with the involvement of Community Development Associations (CDAs). So far, enforcement in 84 locations has been effected as at April. This is being done to improve security, free flow of traffic, safety of lives and properties of all citizens in the state.”

Special Adviser on Community and Communications to the governor Kehinde Bamigbetan, said his office resolved six communal disputes, intervened in community and local government issues said initiated the coordination of community media for effective coverage of community news and events.

Bamigbetan said local government information officers were now being coordinated for effective information dissemination on government programmes and activities at the grassroots. A market branding and engagement process, he said, had also been initiated to take information dissemination to all parts of the state.

‘’We have established several online and print media platforms, and very soon, LASPOTECH FM and LASU FM stations will become operational to project community broadcasting,” Bamigbetan said

May 6, 2016
Roads construction excites residents

The construction of 114 rural roads in the 57 local councils of Lagos State initiated by Governor Akinw-unmi Ambode in January is eliciting excitement among residents. Residents of Obele Oniwala community in Surulere are happy with the work going on, on Durojaiye Street.

The Michael Ogun/Durojaiye Streets are among the two roads selected for reconstruction by the Surulere Local Government Area last December. The other is Aralile Road. They are part of the 114 inner roads to be constructed in all local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs), with two roads per council which was inaugurated in January.

The Michael Ogun/Durojaiye Road is very strategic because it connects directly to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, without having to go through Itire. The length of the road is 600 metres and was awarded to Olag Nigeria Limited with specifications which included covered drains, walkway and street light.

Governor Ambode had, during his electioneering campaigns, promised that, in the first year of his administration, inner roads would be constructed in all the 20 councils and 37 local council development areas, The unique thing about this was that the LGAs and LCDAs were to be in charge of the construction of two roads each in their domains. The Lagos State Government is just to monitor the road construction and also to ensure that the roads meet international standard, while the councils will provide the funds for the construction.

The roads were first constructed by the Alhaji Lateef Jakande administration in the 80s, but the residents had built several illegal structures on drainage alignment and setbacks. Some residents even relocated their soak away pit from the back of their houses right onto the drainage while others constructed shops and other structures on the alignment which posed initial problem when the contractor; Olag Nigeria Limited, moved to site.

For the contractor to take possession of the road and begin work, the setback and drainage alignment had to be reclaimed as well as relocation of electric cables of the Eko Discos to pave way for the construction.

According to the Executive Secretary, Surulere Local Government Area, Mrs. Bamidele Hussain, a stakeholder’s meeting was held with residents and their community development association (CDA) on the need to reconstruct the road and reclaim the setback and alignment. The stakeholders agreed that the road should be reconstructed and illegal structures on the right of way removed. With this problem taken care of, the contractor commenced work on the road.

According to 64-year-old Mrs. Christiana Emela, the street which has been in a very bad state for over a decade is receiving attention from the council.

She said: “We are happy for the road construction because for long, we have been inhaling dust. We are hopeful that when the road is completed, our plight will be over. We thank the Surulere Local Government for this project.”

However the Site Engineer Olag Nigeria Limited, Samuel Tomori said the project was delayed because it took about 10 weeks to get the Eko Disco to give the permission for the relocation of the electric poles for the project to commence.

“Some members of the community accused us of planning to relocate the poles over their roofs. This is untrue. Another challenge we had was that there were illegal structures built on the road setback. The people living in the quarters encroached on the setback. Some of them even relocated their soak away from the back of their houses unto the setback and they don’t want us to remove the illegal structures from the setback at all.

“But the work is progressing fast as we are about completing the drainage. The relocation of the electric poles is about to start and before middle of May, we may complete the project,” he said.

Former Chairman, Obele Oniwala CDA and resident on Durojaiye Street, Mr.. Folahan Onikori said it was improper for people to erect illegal structures on drainage alignment and road setback, saying that something had to give way for development to come to a particular area. He commended the Surulere Local Government for the ongoing road project and urged the council to expedite action on its completion.

Chairman, Surulere Local Government, Hussain said it was the CDA members who chose that the Michael Ogun/Durojaiye Road should be constructed due to its economic and social importance to the area. “We had delay with the approval to relocate the electric poles by the Eko Disco. To work on the drainage, we had to break some walls erected on the road setback,” she said.

Hussain explained that before works began on the Michael Ogun/Durojaiye Road, the area was a slum with deep potholes littering the road.

“This road was like a slum with deep potholes. We decided to do this road because it is a link road to LUTH instead of using the Itire Road. The road has lots of economic importance as well as social value,” she said.

April 27, 2016
Lawmaker rehabilitates roads

It was the turn of residents of Aba North and South Federal Constituency in Abia State to benefit from the outreach of the lawmaker representing them, Hon. Ossy Prestige.

The House of Representatives member has helped so many in the state, providing for people behind bars, paying the medical bills of indigent patients and even giving scholarship to students, among others.

This time he and his team moved into some parts of the constituency with a brand new earth-moving machine to grade some of the streets and roads linking the area to the heart of Aba, the state’s commercial town.

Some of the roads in Aba North and South Federal Constituency, including Imo Avenue off Faulks Road, Chief Ubani Street off 7up Ogbor Hill are among others, have been graded while many more, according to information gathered, would soon be graded.

Some residents of the areas that have been completed who spoke to reporters, described the gesture of the lawmaker as first of its kind since 1999 where a federal lawmaker of Aba North and South constituency would show genuine concern about the people that voted them to power.

“This is the first time that a federal lawaker that we elected into power will come back despite his busy schedule to fulfil his campaign promises to us, unlike what was the case in the past,” said a resident who simply identified himself as Uchenna.

“He may not have brought a lasting solution to our problems in terms of passable roads, but with what he has done, Prestige has to a great extent alleviated our sufferings through this road that he has graded for us. I am sure like every other residents of Imo Avenue that we will have a little sigh of relief before the rain sets in. But let me quickly say that these roads are some of the roads local government chairmen are supposed to be grading frequently and let me use this medium to appeal to the our state Governor, Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu to organise local government election so that chairmen and councilors of various local governments and wards can source for funds to rehabilitate and in worst cases grade some of the internal roads in our councils.”

Another resident of Chief Ubani, Mrs. Caroline who corroborated Uchenna’s position thanked Prestige for fulfilling the campaign promises he made to the electorate, calling on other federal lawmakers in the state to emulate his gesture.

Prestige said that he was touched by the plight of his constituents who find it difficult to drive or move freely from their homes to other parts of the commercial city because of the bad state of roads in their areas which are in bad condition.

Prestige stated that the project he tagged “Road Emergency Rehabilitation Scheme” was a pet project that was conceive during his campaign tour of the local government areas of Aba North and South federal constituency and in fulfillment of his campaign promises that he was going to assist the people to reduce the stress they pass through in accessing the city center from their homes.

The lawmaker thanked the people of Aba North and South Federal Constituency for voting him into power, promising that he would continue to attract democracy dividends to them.

He also promised that more roads will be graded, urging residents of such places to be patient.

April 1, 2016
Lawmaker rehabilitates roads

It was the turn of residents of Aba North and South Federal Constituency in Abia State to benefit from the outreach of the lawmaker representing them, Hon. Ossy Prestige.

The House of Representatives member has helped so many in the state, providing for people behind bars, paying the medical bills of indigent patients and even giving scholarship to students, among others.

This time he and his team moved into some parts of the constituency with a brand new earth-moving machine to grade some of the streets and roads linking the area to the heart of Aba, the state’s commercial town.

Some of the roads in Aba North and South Federal Constituency, including Imo Avenue off Faulks Road, Chief Ubani Street off 7up Ogbor Hill are among others, have been graded while many more, according to information gathered, would soon be graded.

Some residents of the areas that have been completed who spoke to reporters, described the gesture of the lawmaker as first of its kind since 1999 where a federal lawmaker of Aba North and South constituency would show genuine concern about the people that voted them to power.

“This is the first time that a federal lawaker that we elected into power will come back despite his busy schedule to fulfil his campaign promises to us, unlike what was the case in the past,” said a resident who simply identified himself as Uchenna.

“He may not have brought a lasting solution to our problems in terms of passable roads, but with what he has done, Prestige has to a great extent alleviated our sufferings through this road that he has graded for us. I am sure like every other residents of Imo Avenue that we will have a little sigh of relief before the rain sets in. But let me quickly say that these roads are some of the roads local government chairmen are supposed to be grading frequently and let me use this medium to appeal to the our state Governor, Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu to organise local government election so that chairmen and councilors of various local governments and wards can source for funds to rehabilitate and in worst cases grade some of the internal roads in our councils.”

Another resident of Chief Ubani, Mrs. Caroline who corroborated Uchenna’s position thanked Prestige for fulfilling the campaign promises he made to the electorate, calling on other federal lawmakers in the state to emulate his gesture.

Prestige said that he was touched by the plight of his constituents who find it difficult to drive or move freely from their homes to other parts of the commercial city because of the bad state of roads in their areas which are in bad condition.

Prestige stated that the project he tagged “Road Emergency Rehabilitation Scheme” was a pet project that was conceive during his campaign tour of the local government areas of Aba North and South federal constituency and in fulfillment of his campaign promises that he was going to assist the people to reduce the stress they pass through in accessing the city center from their homes.

The lawmaker thanked the people of Aba North and South Federal Constituency for voting him into power, promising that he would continue to attract democracy dividends to them.

He also promised that more roads will be graded, urging residents of such places to be patient.

March 25, 2016
Lagos repairs 40-year-old Gowon Estate roads

The Lagos State Government has begun road repair in Gowon Estate, a Federal Housing Estate built about 40 years ago in Egbeda.

The residents described it as first of its kind as successive governments had abandoned the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rehabilitation, which started early this month, is being carried out through the Alimosho Local Government/Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area.

A NAN correspondent reports that the work which has a 16-week completion schedule, is being carried out on one of the estate’s major access roads, 41 Road.

NAN reports that the kerbs, this is, the concrete pavement and the coal tar have been excavated.

Chairman of the estate’s Community Development Association (CDA) Mr Nathaniel Okoro told NAN that the residents were happy with the government’s gesture.

Okoro expressed hope that it would be the beginning of good things to come to the estate after about 40 years of its construction.

“We want to believe this is the beginning of good things to come because there are so many other roads that are bad in this estate.

“While we express our joy for the reconstruction of 41 Road, we pray that other roads will receive due attention. These are 4th and 5th Avenues, 3rd, 411, 401 and 1st Avenue,’’ Okoro said.

The CDA chairman noted that the community was not informed of the specification or scope of the work to be done by the contractors,

Wetland Construction Nigeria Ltd.

“This will make it difficult for the community to check whether the work is according to specification or not.

“Secondly, we don’t know if there will be walkways, because if there will be, the contractors will need the community’s co-operation to inform those who had built shops around the road to shift backwards.

“They could also be asked to remove them from the sides of the road so that they will do their work.

“We don’t know what plans they have for the median, whether there will be beautification; if there will be beautification, there will be need to tell the residents not to setup businesses on it.

A top official at the Engineering Department of the council, who preferred not to be named, told NAN that the drainage systems in the area were being worked on.

The official noted the estate’s drainage system was underground, saying that was why the ongoing work was not noticeable.

According to the official, the drainage must first be cleared before the actual reconstruction can start.

The official decried the extent to which the drainage system was blocked with disused tyres and other non-biodegradable refuse.

“It is so bad and unfortunate for some residents to turn the drainage system into refuse dump; our men have been working underground for some weeks clearing the refuse.

“If the refuse is not cleared and the drainage system properly opened, the reconstruction cannot commence.

“The recent rainfall testifies to the fact that the drainage has been worked on as there was no flood in the area, unlike when the drainage was blocked,’’ the official said.

March 21, 2016
Ortom approves 12 roads

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has approved the building of 12 roads.

Nine of them were awarded by the last administration, but were abandoned. The contractors have been mobilised and work has begun.

The roads approved by the Commissioner for Works, Transport and Energy, Mr. Emmanuel Manger, for construction are Zaki Biam -Afia-Gbeji Road (46.52km); Taraku-Naka- Agagbe Road (61km); Oju-Obussa-Utonkon Road (52.00km); Otukpo-Utonkon- Igumale Road (55.61km);

Oshigbudu-Ogbaji Road (10km); Igbor-Ikpa-Wannune Road (36.732km); Vandeikya -Kotiyough-Adikpo Road (32.00km); Ge-Ikyobo- Agbeede-Amua-Anshagba Road (37km) and Tordonga-Zaki Biam with spur to Tsewuaze-Tiza-Shila Road (45.14km).

The governor has also approved the building of three roads. They are:

Makurdi Outer Ring Road (Mobile Police Road); Mobile Barracks-Adeke- Welfare Quarters-Yaikyo – Apir Road (24km) and Origbo-Imande-Akpur- Gbajimba Road (40. 397km.

The government said it will award contracts for more roads later.

March 7, 2016