‘Adeniran Ogunsanya is born again’

WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2011 00:00 BY ISAAC TAIWO NEWS - METRO


Lagos hands over upgraded popular street, warns residents against abuse of infrastructure

IT may not be that long, just 1.024 kilometres, but Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, stretching from Alhaji Masha/Shita Roundabout to Bode Thomas Street could well rank as one of the best-known streets in the Lagos metropolis.

Originally, a single-carriageway that grew in importance as Surulere, also called ‘New Lagos’ expanded, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, over the years, became a vital artery that fed innumerable flourishing businesses and their owners.
Soon, minor problems worsened and became intractable; the road became prone to daily traffic jams that could last for hours due to over-use of the road capacity.

Rapid and monumental increase in commercial activities as a result of conversion of residential buildings to commercial use without regard for improvement of available infrastructure further worsened matters.

Potholes became craters and pools of water that lasted for weeks on several sections of the road were common until May 2009, when the Lagos State government intervened and contracted the road-upgrading project to Messrs HFP Nigeria Limited

The task included scarification of entire asphalt surface; demolition of inadequate drains; construction of new covered drains, expansion of the road from single to dual carriageway; earthworks and stone base; asphalt works introduction of service ducts; installation of median and provision of streetlights with alternative source of power.

On Friday, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, which used to be a 10metre-single-carriageway but now upgraded and expanded to a dual carriageway with two lanes each way, including befitting road furniture, was handed over to the residents.

Speaking at the occasion, the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola Fashola (SAN), who was accompanied by top government officials including, his Deputy, Princess Adebisi Sarah Sosan and Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, described the new Adeniran Ogunsanya Street as “ true dividend of democracy in continuity.”

Going down memory lane, Fashola recalled, “Surulere, the neighborhood where this road is sited is called “new Lagos”.
“This is where I was born, raised and educated.

“Road and building infrastructure at “new Lagos’ started in 1950’s when it was apparent that Lagos Island was getting congested and overstretched and there was need to relocate people to a more auspicious area.

“The construction of the Eko Bridge, which came to be in the 1960s also contributed to the movement and relocation of affected people from Lagos Island to the “New Lagos.

“Many years of population growth that was not complemented by infrastructure growth led first to emigration of middle-class residents and later businesses, and the businesses that remained thrived in excruciating conditions while residents endured flooding and chaotic traffic.

“It is, therefore, apparent that Adeniran Ogunsanya Street that we are handing over within “New Lagos” had undergone various facelifts in the past which has not been comprehensive and effective.

“There is no gainsaying that since we started the regeneration from Funso Williams to Eric Moore Road, to Orile and Lagos Badagry Expressway, life has been increasingly better evidenced by the faces and life style of residents showing improvement day by day.
“This is why we are in government,” he said.

Fashola added that improvement was not limited to Adeniran Ogunsanya alone as other road projects awarded within the same vicinity, which included Amosu, Idita and Oyediran Streets were going on while that of Akerele (which has been going on concurrently with Adeniran Ogunsanya Street), Ogunlana Drive, Adelabu and Bode Thomas Streets were making progress.

“I am of the strong conviction that the roads would be completed to high standard and handed over to the good people of Lagos very soon, just as we are doing today,” he said.

He enjoined the Community Development Association (CDA) and the entire residents of Adeniran Ogunsanya to keep and protect the ‘asset’ from all forms of abuse while assuring it is used for the benefit of Lagosians that will use it from day to day, for many years to come.

In address, the Special Adviser, the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson, an engineer said the single carriageway has been successfully upgraded to dual carriageway with features such as: walkway, streetlights, service ducts among others which form part of the inner ring roads which include Adeniran Ogunsanya, Akerele, Ogunlana, Adelabu, Babs Animashaun and Bode Thomas currently under construction.

According to him, the ring when completed would compliment Funsho Williams, Eric Moore and Lagos- Badagry expressway and enhance commerce and economic growth in Surulere being the hub of the local council.

Johnson adduced the major factor responsible for government’s intervention on the road project as the state’s commitment towards boosting commerce as well as fulfilling its promise to promote private sector participation.

He acknowledged the support and understanding shown by Adeniran Ogunsanya Street Landlords and Residents Association throughout the period of execution of the project describing them as reliable partners in progress.

“I want to implore the Community Development and Residents’ Associations to assume responsibility for this road by ensuring amongst others that your drains are desilted and carted away regularly.

“You should ensure that the walkways are not converted to car parks and stalls.
“I am imploring residents, road users, the corporate community to ensure that all forms of abuse, including cutting across or along the road, are prevented since provisions have been made for service ducts.

“This project has been executed to high engineering standard and I want to enjoin motorists to be patient and obey all traffic rules most especially at the median openings, to avoid traffic gridlock,” he said.

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