Having lived in Alimosho virtually all my life, and I am
getting close to 60 years, I must say that the
transformation that has taken place in the area in two
years of Akinwumi Ambode’s administration is
unprecedented. I say this with all sense of responsibility
as a man of God and a resident who has directly
benefited from the Midas touch of the governor.
At the inception of his administration, Ambode promised
to run an all-inclusive government where no area is left
behind in the scheme of things and, true to his words, the
hitherto forgotten Alimosho has been positively affected
in many ways and the man at the helm of affairs in the
Centre of Excellence is still poised to do more.
I recall vividly on January 21, 2016, when the governor
embarked on an inspection tour of our area, precisely
Ajasa-Command Road which was at that time in a very
deplorable state. It was indeed a single lane road that
could barely take two vehicles side by side at a time with
potholes dotting various segments of the road.
On that day, Ambode expressed displeasure at the
condition of road and promised that rehabilitation work
on the road would commence within two weeks.
True to his words, work not only commenced but, today,
Ajasa-Command area can boast of a dual-carriage road
from Ile-Iwe Junction to Command with drainage system,
walkway, street lightening, modern bus-stops and a
bridge.
This has brought succor to us in terms of free movement
and a boom in business activities. At night, our area now
has a nickname called by many as Ajasa-London due to
the street lights.
Concerning Aboru and Abesan, the governor surpassed
our expectations by carrying out massive upgrade of the
network of roads within the axis. A link bridge was also
constructed to ease connectivity.
Specifically, the roads
that were constructed include Church Street starting
from Agbelekale Junction (Off Ekoro Road), Giwa Street,
Victor Fagbemi Road, Ogunfayo Road, Ogundare Street,
Salami Kazeem, all totaling 5.5km with drainage,
walkways and street lights.
The road network now eases the pressure on Lagos-
Abeokuta Expressway and also serves as viable
alternative for residents and motorists to link Iyana Ipaja,
Ipaja, Ayobo, LASU-Iba Expressway, among other areas.
Aside the road network, the contractor also constructed a
modern Primary Healthcare Centre for the residents as
part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The icing on the cake was the announcement by Ambode
while commissioning the road network and the Aboru-
Abesan Link Bridge that his administration would
construct dozens roads to link the boundary of Lagos
State with Ogun State.
Ambode has also delivered a world class flyover tagged
Jubilee Bridge in Abule-Egba, which is perhaps the
biggest project of the present administration in Alimosho.
The bridge was completed in a record time of 13 months
to the admiration of residents and commuters.
Before the construction of the bridge, commuters having
to pass through Abule-Egba to link other parts of Lagos
usually spent close to an hour on the average to navigate
through the traffic snarl, a journey that should ordinary
take five minutes.
Aside the business activities in Alimosho axis which have
witnessed a surge, the Jubilee Bridge has also greatly
improved the aesthetics of the area with traffic
signalization, street lights, lay-bys, good terrace with
flowers and a water fountain, among others in place.
Meanwhile, Ambode has commenced the construction of
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane from Abule-Egba to Oshodi,
which is actually the first phase of the project, with the
second phase starting from Abule-Egba to Sango Toll
Gate, the boundary of Lagos and Ogun States.
The Lagos helmsman has truly transformed the Alimosho
axis and the good thing is that he is not resting on his
oars.
*Akanbi is resident in Alimosho area of Lagos State
