Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has urged landlords and land owners in the state to shun temptation of increasing rents and cost of landed property for development following construction of motorable road infrastructure executed by his administration in the communities.
Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Monday, while commissioning Abiola Onijemo Link Road with Bridge, at Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area, aimed to improve the quality of lives of residents . The road also serves as link to several communities in the area, which were hitherto difficult to reach.
Sanwo-Olu, while handing over the infrastructure, delivered by the Ministry of Works and office of Infrastructure, also charged residents to take ownership of the newly delivered projects.
He said the 643 meter road, including a 135 meter reinforced concrete bridge with retaining walls,which featured 7.3 meter carriageways links five communities, Abiola, Ajayi, Ogba, Obawole and Iju Ishaga.
Sanwo-Olu said the completion of the project was a fulfillment of the promise he and his party made to the electorate when canvassing for their vote.
According to tte governor: “This is a promise made, promise kept, this project embody our administration commitment in keeping our promises and addressing long standing challenges by the state, by the people of our two communities.
“During our campaign we did pledge to tackle the issues around these communities, the issue of inadequate infrastructure, we also perceived there is persistent flooding in all of this area, these challenges have been there for years.This is really growth among two communities
“It is about creating economic growth and prosperity to our people, with this improvement we believe residents and businesses can now enjoy, safe, faster and efficient movement.
“I am told landlords and land owners have started increasing their rents and cost of land, please don’t do that. Let the citizen feel and let them enjoy benefits of what this community road has done for them.
“For omo onile (land owners) don’t increase the price of your land let them see the benefits Sanwo-Olu administration has brought to them.
“This marks a significant milestone in the collective interest of our journey, it improves connectivity, that enhances quality of lives of our citizens.
“When we came to office, we said governance is about increasing quality of life, improving connectivity, improving sustainability of our communities.
“It is a vital infrastructure project that links Abiola Street and onigemo street, separated by canals, valley.”
Sanwo-Olu noted that before the project was executed the affected communities were linked by plank bridge constructed by the people, and his administration saw that as an eyesore, and that execution of the project required urgency.
Earlier, the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who was represented by the chairman of the House Committee on works, Desmond Elliot, promised to give the state governor all support he required in building on his program.
Commending the state governor and urging him to do more for his constituency, Adewale Temitope representing Ifako Ijaiye 1 in the state House of Assembly, said with the construction of the link road and bridge the state governor has brought the suffering of the people of the constituency to an end.
He added that, with the development his constituency has turned to be one of the highbrow areas in the state.
The Special Adviser to the governor on infrastructure Engineer Olufemi Daramola, said the construction of the link road with bridge has reduced the time residents of the communities spent in linking each other, and would further improve the quality of life of residents of the area, as the project marks new dawn in the state.
The chairman of Ifako Ijaiye local government area Hon. Usman Hamzat said the construction of the link road has opened up other communities hitherto alienated and the project was a landmark for good governance and quality leadership in the state.
