… Says Fourth Mainland Bridge Will Traverse Five LGAs, Ban on Styrofoam is beneficial to all
The Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso has reiterated that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to achieving a Greater Lagos through the THEMES PLUS Agenda just as he revealed that the proposed 37km Fourth Mainland Bridge will traverse five local government areas.
Speaking recently in an interview programme aired on the Radio Station City FM 105.1FM, Omotoso said the Fourth Mainland Bridge, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has confirmed that the groundbreaking ceremony would take place in April 2024, is very dear to the Governor’s heart.
According to him, for Mr. Governor to have gone to the Lagos West Town Hall meeting to talk about the Fourth Mainland Bridge project, means that he is confident that everything about the project is on course and will soon commence.
He said, “We operate in a human environment and if there is a need for us to shift the goalpost, Lagosians will know the reasons. For now, there is no reason to believe that the goalpost can be shifted. The contractors have been selected and the finances are in place. So if we are talking about groundbreaking, that means we have done almost everything required to start the project. All affairs of men are governed by spiritual forces as human inputs are concerned, nevertheless, Governor Sanwo-Olu is doing everything possible so that we can meet the schedule for the commencement of the project”.
When asked if the chosen contractor for the project remains the Chinese company, CCECC, Omotoso affirmed that the Construction Company is competent and can handle the project. He added that for a project of that magnitude, as the Fourth Mainland, it is necessary to ensure a big and capable construction company like the Chinese company, CCECC, is entrusted with the task.
On the likely social and economic impact of the project, Omotoso explained the project will transverse about five local government areas viz-a-viz Eti-Osa, Ibeju Lekki, Ikorodu, Kosofe to Obafemi Owode local government in Ogun State. The 37km road is going to pass through all the aforementioned places with the crossing route around Redeemed Camp on Lagos Ibadan Expressway. It is going to be like the United Kingdom M25, so it is all about social impact.
He said, “Aside from the fact that it is going to be a relief for other bridges by decongesting them and the loads they carry. The prices of property in the aforementioned areas are going to increase and since about 15000 people are going to be working on this bridge, it is going to create employment for our people especially our young engineers who may not have seen this type of project being built before.
“Similarly, students who have never participated or have the work experience of such an iconic project would be given the privilege to have first-hand experience. So, in terms of social impact, it will generate employment, raise the value of property along the route and enable engineering students to acquire first-hand experience.
“Also, we should talk about how easy it will be for people to drive from Abraham Adesanya down to Lagos Ibadan Expressway without passing through Lagos Island or Western Avenue, and you’ll see the kind of relief people will get when the project is completed”, he added.
While acknowledging that the Fourth Mainland Bridge is a humongous project, the Commissioner noted that by the time it is completed, the bridge is going to be the longest. He added that considering the finances and human investment that would go into the project, it’s safe to build it in phases which experts have recommended.
On whether the Fourth Mainland bridge would be tolled, Omotoso stated that every road of that stature anywhere in the world would be tolled, especially when one considers the source of the funding of such a project. However, he explained that the toll to be paid will not be much of a burden on motorists.
According to him, “The aim is not to make a profit but for us to be able to recoup some investment and be able to do some projects in some other places. This project will be fully funded and built by the State Government, it has no federal input at all. Talking more about the toll, we have the Third Mainland Bridge and other bridges. so, there are alternatives. People will not be forced to use the Fourth Mainland Bridge so when people see the kind of comfort it offers, they will be ready to pay for using it”, he added.
Omotoso also reiterated that the project is going to be done by PPP. It is not a project that can be financed from the balance sheet because the state government does not have the capacity. However, the present administration will ensure that the people raising the funds are not going to be disappointed.
Describing Governor Sanwo-Olu as a man of his word, Omotoso emphasised that the Blue Rail Line has been completed and people are riding on it in comfort. He noted that the Red Rsil Line is about 99.9% completed and Mr. Governor will deliver the project in good time for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commission it.
While responding to the question regarding the ban on Styrofoam as single-use plastics in Lagos, Omotoso noted that advocacy has been ongoing for about three years and the matter was brought to the State Executive Council where it was agreed that Lagos State cannot allow the continuous usage of Styrofoam because of the health implication and damage to the environment through the blocking of drainages and causing a lot of other hazards.
He stated that the smoke from burning them also causes a lot of health problems such as cancer and respiratory issues. Therefore, Lagos has no choice but to announce the ban on Styrofoam which has elicited a positive response from the majority of residents across the state. Hence, it’s a good decision and Lagosians are in support of it.
Speaking on rehabilitation of damaged roads across the state, the Commissioner averred that the Lagos State Public Works Corporation is working on Lagos roads, stressing that there are about 9040 roads in Lagos so there’s no way any government can fix all of these roads in one day.
“As I speak with you now, PWC is working day and night. If you go online, you will find the list of roads that have been done, the ones they’re presently doing and the ones they will do in the future. In the areas that we have not gotten to, we plead with the residents to be patient. Anytime from now, the Public Works Corporation will get to them”, he assured.
