Encomium
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday hinted of plans to convene a summit in the next few weeks to deliberate on traffic gridlocks in the state.
The Governor spoke at an interactive session he had with Media Executives alongside his Deputy, Dr (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello.
He said traffic gridlocks which have become an integral part of areas like Apapa, Lekki, and others would be decisively dealt with after the stakeholders’ summit where experts would proffer solution to the thorny issue that has resulted in the collapse of businesses in Apapa.
“The solution is not restricted to only Alausa, there are so many people who have ideas that we can buy from. So that Traffic Summit is a first of its kind because we are now dealing with practical issues”.
“The one that relates so Apapa, yes we thank God we are now at the centre. What you see at Western Avenue now was done by Lagos state government. And there are several federal government projects which we have committed over N51Billion into and which we have not been reimbursed for. I can assure you that in areas where we can do quick fixes, we would do it”, he said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna.
Responding to a question on the traffic situation at the Lekki Axis, the Governor said: “When you look at it, you will see that if I am to provide flyover it would take quite a while to complete construction. The other option we are looking at is do we really need those roundabouts? It is an alternative solution which experts are looking at. We can change the course of traffic and use traffic lights. In the United States you don’t turn on your left. That is a quick fix. Flyover is medium term. I am deeply looking at immediate remedy, traffic control and flyover, experts would conclude and from there we would get permanent solutions”.
The Governor said his mission is to make life simpler for the average residents in the state and to make them happy, insisting that he would not increase taxes.
He said the Ayobo – Ipaja Road has not been abandoned but has experienced some issues because oil pipelines were buried beneath the road and it was very difficult determining the depth of such of such pipes.
The Governor who also spoke on the crisis at Lagos State University, Ojo, vowed to confront the issues facing the university frontally, lamenting that no Vice Chancellor of the institution has ever completed two terms in office, because according to him, as powerful interests are always jostling to control the institution.
SIGNED
HABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
JUNE 5, 2015
