Relief is expected for residents, businesses and motorists within the Oniru axis on Victoria Island, as the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, commissioned Victoria Island-Lekki Traffic Circulation Project in which seven gridlock-prone roads were re-designed and re-constructed with concrete slabs.
The Victoria Island-Lekki Traffic Circulation project was delivered through Public Infrastructure Improvement Partnership (PIIP) framework, under which the state government partnered Access Bank Plc and Planet Projects Limited.
The project spans a total length of 1.8 kilometres, starting from Muri Okunola Extension, to Ligali Ayorinde, Akin Olugbade, Elegba Festival Road and Yesufu Abiodun Oniru Road up to Four Points by Sheraton.
In December 2019, Sanwo-Olu flagged off the construction of the roads, which were notorious for traffic congestion that affected the growth of businesses and reduced productivity.
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Cutting the ribbon to officially declare the roads open for public use on Thursday, the governor said it was another promise fulfilled in traffic improvement programmes. He said the improvement and re-construction work done on the roads had enhanced road connectivity and traffic flow on the axis.
Sanwo-Olu added that the project had also reduced travel time for commuters, eliminated perennial flooding hitherto experienced in the area, and boosted intermodal transportation.
“One of the critical challenges experienced by residents and road users along this axis was the heavy traffic congestion occasioned by the geometric increase in traffic volume, which led to a significant reduction in productivity and growth business activities in this highly commercial location.
As a government, we resolved to work in partnership with public-spirited corporate organisations to embark on the road improvement project. This project was executed through the Public Infrastructure Improvement Partnership (PIIP) arrangement, he said.
Group managing director of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, applauded the state government for supporting the initiative conceived by the bank. He said the financial institution would be willing partner more with the government to deliver more projects.
The Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Omogbolahan Lawal, praised both the state government and Access Bank for bringing the circulation traffic project to reality. He called on other corporations that have offices on Victoria Island to embark on similar development projects for improved commercial activities on the axis.
