Lagosians especially road users on Friday commended the Lagos State Government for the successful signing of the contract for the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Africa Finance Corporation, Access Bank and other private investors to the tune of N844 billion for the construction of the bridge.
Some respondents who spoke to our reporter were of the view that the bridge would boost economic activities in the state.
“The Fourth Mainland Bridge is a bridge we have been awaiting for so long and it will transform the economy of this state because it will increase connectivity.
“We thank the Lagos State Government,’’
A resident of Ikorodu in Lagos who also spoke, said that the bridge would totally eradicate gridlock in the state.
“I am really happy because I live in Imota inside Ikorodu and the problem of go slow on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway through Sagamu road will totally be removed.
“In short, no more traffic in Lagos if they can finish the bridge on time,’’ she said.
A civil servant, Mr David Agboola, said that the signing of the MOU for the construction of the bridge showed the visionary qualities of Ambode.
“There are so many economic activities going on in Ikorodu, Epe and all the communities around them down to Ajah that are not properly harnessed because of road network.
“With the bridge, poultry and fish farmers and others in these areas can easily move their products to the city centre.
“I salute the vision of our governor,’’ he said.
Also a teacher, Mrs Mabel Musa and a student, Miss Teniola Ganzello, said that the bridge would increase faster access to tertiary institutions in Ikorodu area.
They also said it would boost tourism as more people would visit recreation centres in Lekki/Ajah areas which are high gridlock zones.
The proposed alignment of the bridge would pass through Lekki, Langbasa and Baiyeku 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.
The alignment would also cross through the Itoikin road and the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road to connect Isawo inward Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at Ojodu Berger axis.
The bridge, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative geared towards economic growth in the State, is slated for completion in three years.
-Emmanuel Ikechukwu
