Wale Jagun
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries and the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, on Thursday,(today) revealed that full rehabilitation of the 32km Ikorodu- Itoikin Road will commence in January 2023.
A statement released and signed by the Special Adviser to the Senator on Media & Publicity, Mr Enitan Olukotun, said that the Senator got assurances from the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, during a courtesy visit to the minister in his office in Mabuchi, Abuja on Wednesday.
The news will, no doubt, be a welcome development to motorists and commuters plying the route, considering the fact that the road has become a death trap over the years with a record of fatal accidents.
Abiru had visited the Minister to show appreciation for his efforts on two critical Federal roads (lkorodu- Itoikin Road and Ikorodu/ Sagamu Road) located in lkorodu division.
During the visit, the #DoingGood Senator extended the gratitude of the constituents in the Lagos East Senatorial District to the minister for his support and efforts on the planned rehabilitation of 32-Km Ikorodu-Itoikin road and the accelerated work on Ikorodu-Sagamu Road, which is almost completed.
According to the statement, the Honourable Minister specifically informed the Senator that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved complete rehabilitation of the Ikorodu-Itoikin Road.
“Fashola assured Senator Abiru that the total rehabilitation of the road will commence in January, 2023”, the statement said.
Meanwhile, critical sections of the 30-Km Ikorodu/Sagamu road, from Sabo,Okegbegun, First Gate, Odogunyan, Ita-Oluwo, Ogijo, Gbaga, Sotubo, Mosimmi to Gbara Village, have been fixed, remaining less than 8 Kilometre to get to Sagamu.
“The Honourable Minister assured Senator Abiru that the road would be completed before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
“These milestones were made possible through the instrumentality of legislative intervention via a motion moved by Senator Abiru, “On The Urgent Need For The Rehabilitation Of The Ikorodu-Sagamu And Ikorodu-Itoikin- Epe Roads To Further Bridge The Infrastructure Gap And Enhance Economic Growth In Nigeria”, in April 2021”, the Special Adviser to Abiru recalled in the statement.
“Senator Abiru convinced the Senate by highlighting the importance of the two roads to the nation’s economic growth as they serve as access points from other parts of the country: Ogun, Edo and the Northern parts of the country and also serve as link to New Lekki- Ibeju corridor where we have a major refinery, Lagos Deep Seaport and Free Trade Zone etc.
“The motion was fully supported and approved by the Nigerian Senate and, thereafter, obtained the cooperation and support of the Ministry of Works and Housing, particularly, the Honourable minister, His Excellency, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN”, he added.
Olukotun said that the rehabilitation of the Ikorodu- Shagamu was accelerated after the intervention by the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District.
“Before Senator Abiru’s intervention, Ikorodu- Sagamu road, which was awarded on 5th June, 2018 to Messrs Arab Contractors O.A.O. Nigeria Limited , with a completion period of 36 months only attained 24.04% completion due to paucity of funding. However, the current intervention by the Senator, has ensured the advancement of the 30-km Road to about 85% completion”, he said.
