BY ABIODUN FANORO

A MAJOR relief has come the way of millions of residents of some local councils in Lagos following the construction of a link bridge, which strategically connects two councils; Ejigbo and Isolo and provides an alternative access route to these millions of residents plying these councils for their daily businesses.

The over N40 million bridge, which links the Okota area of Isolo Local Council with the Jakande Estate area of Ejigbo; across the wild canal where nearly many people perished during the 2001 Ikeja Cantoment bomb blast, is built by elder statesman and founder of the O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun.

Speaking to The Guardian, Fasehun said the bridge was his own way of responding to the age long clarion call by the late American President, J.F. Kennedy, of thinking of what to do for one’s country rather your country should do for you.

He, therefore, called on fellow Nigerians, especially those who stash billions of money away in local and foreign banks to bring them out for the development of the country and to invest them on projects that would bring relief to the masses.

Going philosophical, he said, “ Everybody, particularly those of us from age 70 and above, must remember that no amount of wealth, either acquired legitimately or illegitimately, would go into the grave with us.

“That is why I am deeply worried by this primitive stealing of public funds among public officers and politicians.”

With this new bridge, residents of Ejigbo, Isolo, Egbe-Idimu, Ikotun, Apapa and Amuwo-Odofin councils doing businesses across these councils are now saved from the harrowing and traumatic traffic jam they are subjected to on the Isolo-Ikotun road that serves as the only access road to the over 20 communities that made up these councils.  Some residents working in the Lagos Island would also heave a sigh of relief with this new bridge.

Media aide to Dr Fasehun; Mr Felix Obagwina, who took journalists on tour of the bridge at the weekend, said the bridge linked the Okota-Junction-Ago-Mile Two road currently being re-constructed by the state government; through Lateef Aregbe street, in Isolo council area. The other end of the bridge according to Obagwina linked the Isheri-Oshun Road now under construction by the government by NEPA Bus Stop at Jakande Estate.

The two ends of the bridge are illuminated at night from three power sources; namely solar, wind-mill and Power Holding  Company of Nigeria; while security is provided by members of the OPC.

omiobo: A report without picture like this,is called skeleton report because it has no body(picture)