By OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO
IKOYI—Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Wednesday, commissioned the N2.5 billion Falomo On–Ramp Bridge.

At the commissioning of the 115-metres long bridge, Fashola explained that the project, executed in collaboration with Lekki Concession Company, LCC, under a Public Private Partnership, was aimed at easing traffic gridlock in Lagos Island.

Falomo-bridge

He said the project, which was constructed by LCC, was the first of such magnitude and specification to be built anywhere in the country.

Fashola said: ”This is a deliverable of the 30-year PPP in 2006, pursuant to which the company is already rehabilitating and upgrading approximately 50 kilometres of the Eti-Osa Lekki–Epe Expressway and will also construct 20 kilometres of the Coastal Road.

”Of the N50 billion long- term finanacing raised by Lekki Concession Company to execute the on-going works on the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway, a substantial portion of which represents Foreign Direct Investment into Lagos State, N2.5 billion had been used to construct the new Falomo On–Ramp, that we will all be driving on soon.”

He said the bridge would improve travel time for motorists travelling from Ikoyi from the Westbound lanes of Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, noting that motorists would now be able to access Ozumba Mbadiwe and Adeyemo Alakija streets’ intercession.

Mr. Opuiyo Oforiokuma, MD/CEO of LCC, said the firm had undertaken the construction of many projects on concession arrangement with the state government.

Special Adviser and Director-General, Office of Public Private Partnership, Lagos State, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, said the bridge is among the road works that constitutes the state infrastructure projects meant to complement the ongoing contentious Eti-Osa-Lekki –epe Expressway rehabilitation and expansion.

‘’It is a clear testimony of the enormous benefits derivable from PPP where private sector resources and expertise are leveraged by government in accelerating the delivery of public infrastructure land service to the people. This is therefore just one of the many projects currently under procurement with others in the pipeline,” he added.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/10/fashola-inaugurates-n2-5bn-falomo-bridge/

Action speaks louder than mere words! Good one Fashola, AS USUAL!!!

All that remains is the 4th mainland bridge, Eko Atlantic and the Railway!