By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday inaugurated the Babafemi Dada Bridge and a network of roads, including Yinka Folarin, Jamiu Lawal, and Shalom Academy roads, in the Igando-Ayobo area of Alimosho Local Government. The project underscores the state government’s commitment to sustainable development and improving infrastructure for the benefit of residents.
The commissioned project comprises a 1.8-kilometer road network, featuring a 250-meter bridge with a nine-meter-wide semi-rigid pavement. It also includes solar-powered streetlights for enhanced safety and accessibility. The infrastructure is expected to alleviate perennial flooding, improve drainage, and provide efficient motorable routes for the Igando-Ayobo axis and surrounding communities.
Transforming Alimosho’s Connectivity
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, which was attended by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Senator Oluranti Adebule, members of the Lagos State Executive Council, traditional leaders, and other dignitaries, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the project as a milestone in his administration’s efforts to improve Lagosians’ quality of life.
“This achievement underscores our administration’s resolve to back our words with action. For the good people of Alimosho, this is not just a road and bridge but a reaffirmation of our commitment to building infrastructure that addresses both immediate and long-term growth,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The Governor highlighted how the new infrastructure aligns with the T.H.E.M.E.S.+ Agenda, with transportation and traffic management as a core pillar. He noted that the road and bridge network now reduces travel time between Ayobo and Igando from an hour to 15 minutes, enhancing productivity and economic activity in the area.
Job Creation and Economic Impact
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the broader socio-economic benefits of the project. “With this infrastructure, we have created jobs for over 342 individuals directly and countless others indirectly across various sectors, including construction, engineering, and manufacturing. Allied industries such as cement, steel, and solar light production have also experienced growth as a result,” he said.
He further stated that the new network improves access to key routes, linking LASU-Iba Road with Candos Road and the neighboring Ayetoro-Lafenwa area in Ogun State, boosting local economies and improving residents’ quality of life.
Community Ownership and Responsibility
The Governor called on residents to take ownership of the project, urging community development associations (CDAs) to ensure its maintenance. “I urge you to take pride in this achievement and see it as your own. Your role in preserving this infrastructure is critical to its sustainability,” he said.
Past Challenges, Present Solutions
The intervention replaces a precarious wooden bridge that previously served the area. Residents and motorists had endured long travel times and paid tolls to use the unsafe structure. The newly commissioned bridge and roads now provide a safer and more efficient alternative.
Commendations from Stakeholders
Key stakeholders, including Senator Adebule, Hon. Desmond Elliot, Hon. Jimoh Orelope, and traditional ruler Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi, lauded the project as transformative for the Alimosho community. They commended Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration for prioritizing infrastructure development despite economic challenges.
Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Engr. Olufemi Daramola, described the project as a testament to the administration’s dedication to alleviating traffic congestion and fostering growth. “Projects like this reshape the landscape of Lagos State and demonstrate what purposeful governance can achieve,” he said.
With the successful delivery of this landmark project, Lagosians in the Alimosho area now enjoy improved connectivity, enhanced safety, and a boost to economic activity—hallmarks of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to building a Greater Lagos.
