As Governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode takes over the administration in Lagos State for the next four years today, he will be inheriting various on- going projects under the infrastructural developments of the state government.
Fashola had also at public events announced plans to conduct the Lagos hand-over ceremony today in a low-key manner because of the economic reality of the state.
He urged Ambode to continue to support and complement developmental projects that will grow the economy of the state.
However, while thanking everyone for giving him and his out-going administration necessary support, Fashola, called on stakeholders and residents to give greater support to the incoming administration of Ambode for more growth and development of the residents and the state.
The followings are some of the projects needing urgent attention by Ambode:
Lagos-Badagry Expressway
Despite the delay in completing the second phase of the ongoing N220 billion Lagos-Badagry Expressway expansion project, the Lagos State government has reaffirmed its resolve to complete the massive project.
Buhari, Fashola and Ambode
Obviously, the 10 lane project would not be delivered by the Babatunde Fashola administration which had fixed an earlier date for the completion of the second phase of the ambitious scheme.
When the contract was awarded in January 2012 to Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, the Lagos State government fixed January 2015, a 36-month period for its completion.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Kadri Hamzat an engineer, while assuring that the project would be completed and delivered after the expiration of the life of the Fashola administration, disclosed that the first phase or Lot 1 beginning from Babs- Animashaun in Suru-Lere to Mile Two has been fully completed.
Similarly, Phase 2A which is between Mazamaza and Agboju has reached 90 per cent completion while Phases 2B and 2C have attained 45 per cent and 10 per cent completion levels respectively.
Hamzat made this disclosure while reacting to the comment of the Minister of State for Works, who posited that without federal roads, Lagos State is non-existent.
According to Hamzat, “The Phase 1 is practically completed while Phase 2A from Mazamaza to Agboju has recorded 80 per cent completion. Phases 2B and 2C of the project have reached 45 per cent and 10 per cent respectively”.
Admitting that the project cannot be completed under Fashola’s administration, Hamzat noted that the government is a continuum, hence, the incoming administration is expected to continue with it.
The Commissioner attributed the slow pace of work by the contractors to factors such as the challenge of relocation of PHCN cables and NNPC pipelines as well as the request for an expanded Right of Way (RoW).
The Commissioner listed Federal roads taken over by the state government to include the Lagos-Badagry Expressway; Eko Bridge (34 expansion joints) and Mile 12 -Ikorodu Road.
N29bn Ikorodu Road expansion project
Also the Mile 12-Ikorodu Road expansion project, which includes a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, corridor, will definitely be commissioned by Ambode.
The 13.5 kilometer Road, which is about 97 percent completed, is already awaiting commissioning.
The new six-lane road is designed with two designated lanes for Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, at the median of the road. Also, pedestrian bridges are located in strategic points for residents to either cross the road or to access the BRT bus stations with the pedestrian walkway.
One of the highlights of the project is that construction of the BRT lanes in the middle of the road will allow its buses operate unhindered from private or commercial vehicles except at designated new U-turn points.
Ilubirin, Ijora Badia, Housing projects
On-going construction of Ijora-Badia Lagos Homes Ownership Mortgage Scheme (LAGOS HOMS) Housing Estate, Ijora, built by Lagos State Government.
Work has reached an advanced stage at the Ilubirin, Ijora Badia, and Alausa Housing Estates under the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS), aimed at providing affordable accommodation to its teeming populace.
The Olubirin Housing Estate in Ikoyi is a two phased estate of a total of 66 blocks of houses consisting of 1,254 apartments of 2 and 3 bedroom flats. The Phase 1, consisting of 33 blocks of flats, is currently under construction and making progress while the Ijora Badia Housing Estate consists of 1,008 flats of 2,3 and 4 bedroom apartments.
While inspecting the Ilubirin Housing project, Fashola, who expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the site, however, said the limiting factor was fund, promising that the incoming government would continue to supply the funds as they come to enable the contractors finish the work.
Noting that the contract for the first phase of 33 blocks was awarded in March last year, the governor, who said the work on the site would have been finished by now, attributed the delay to “slow down in the economy, revenues to the State and all the concomitant effects” as well as “electioneering”.
Lekki Free Trade Zone, LFTZ to generate 1m jobs
The Lagos State Government’s multi-billion Naira Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), if properly managed is capable of generating about one million jobs. The planned Lekki deep sea port and Dangote Refinery are also underway.
Located in Lekki axis, the multi-billion dollar Lekki Free Zone project covers 553.62 hectares of land or 20.20 percent for residential use, 575.03 hectares or 21.42 per cent for industrial use while Central Business District covers 226.43 hectares or 7.57 per cent with 150 hectares or five per cent as the start-up area.
The major players in the LFTZ project are NEPZA as a regulatory body established by the Federal Government in charge of free zones in Nigeria; Lagos State Government; Lekki Worldwide Investments Ltd (SPV) – a special vehicle set up by Lagos State Government to promote, plan and coordinate local and foreign investors and developers for the four phases of the Lekki Free Zone; China Africa Lekki Investment Ltd – a consortium of Chinese companies involved in the development of Phase 1 and LFZDC, a joint venture company between the Lagos State Government and a Chinese Consortium authorised to develop and lease land for Phase One of the Four phase zone.
Lekki Free Trade Zone was established with a mission to develop an offshore economic growth zone, attract foreign investments, promote export, create job opportunities, minimize capital flight and establish a one-stop global business haven. It is a product of a vision which is to engage directly in the economic development of Lagos State and Nigeria by providing a choice for investors in the most conducive free zone business environment.
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