The Lagos State Government has denied contravening any provision of Federal Highway Regulations while constructing a reinforced concrete dual carriage flyover at Abule-Egba along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.

It provided proofs of compliance to the regulations in in a statement by the Head of Public Affairs, the State’s Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development, Mr. Shina Odunuga on Wednesday.

Different reports had alleged that the state government unilaterally extended portions for removal from the agreed 32 metres from the existing electricity poles to 91.44 metres contrary to the existing provision of federal highway regulations.

It was alleged that the state government demolished 1,000 buildings due to the on-going construction of a reinforced concrete dual carriage flyover bridge at Abule-Egba along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.

But in its statement, the state government said the allegations were unfounded, noting that the flyover primarily designed to check gridlock on the expressway, was being executed in line with the existing provisions of federal highway regulations.

The statement, however, clarified the position of the state government on the right of way “to be established for the construction of a reinforced concrete dual carriage flyover bridge at Abule-Egba junction.

“The 1000 houses quoted in the report “are only a figment of the reporters’ imaginations as most of the structures affected by the proposed removal are fences, building setbacks and illegal constructions and attachments to buildings.”

Aside, the statement added the state government “is only implementing existing provisions of Federal Highway Regulations as contained in the Public Land Acquisition Act and gazette by the federal government for Lagos – Abeokuta expressway right of way.”

It added that the said 91.44 metres as contained in the Removal Notice “is from the centre of the existing road (45.72 metres on the right side and 45.72 metres on the left side) and not 91.44metres from existing electricity poles as contained in the report.”

The statement expressed disappointment that formal institutions involved, like banks, and eateries could engage in illegal development without valid certificate of occupancy or planning permits.

It, therefore, urged residents of the areas, whose properties might be affected and having valid claim “to forward documents of such to the Ministry for record and other administrative purposes.”

It explained that the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode “is a listening, compassionate and people-oriented government that does not want suffering for residents and people of the state.

“This explains the rationales behind the on-going construction of three flyovers at strategic locations – Abule-Egba, Ajah and Pen-Cinema. Except in Pen-Cinema where contractor is just planning to move to the site, work is massively going on in two other locations with the sole purpose of unlocking intractable gridlock on these axes,” it explained.

It added that Ambode’s concern for the residents of the state who normally waste hours in the traffic, made culminated in the promise to construct flyover bridges in some strategic areas of the state.

“It is, however, on record that house owners, occupiers, commuters and motorists plying the affected routes during a stakeholders meeting expressed gratitude to the governor for his visionary leadership for rising to the challenges of traffic gridlock in the concerned areas.

“The stakeholders noted that hours spent on the roads by commuters could be converted to doing other profitable ventures that would be of great benefit to the state,” the statement said.

 

Source: Thisdaylive.com

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