Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will today, 26th May, 2024 commision the recently reconstructed Apapa-Oworonshoki- Ojota- Oshodi highway and the newly rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State.
The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi who in statement on Saturday disclosed this, added that the President will also officially flag off the commencement of the coastal highway and other legacy highway projects being undertaken by the Ministry.
This in line with the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensure effective infrastructure development across Nigeria.
Recalled that the newly rehabilitated Apapa-Oworonshoki- Oshodi Expressway originally constructed between 1975 and 1978, deteriorated significantly over the years, causing severe delays in the evacuation of goods from Apapa Wharf.
The 36.02 km expressway is a crucial link connecting Nigeria’s premier ports—Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports as well as Murtala Mohammed International Airport, to larger part of Lagos as well as other parts through arterial routes of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leading to other parts of Nigeria.
The reconstruction which commenced in 2018 completed in 2024, was executed in four sections using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) by Dangote Industries Limited under Tax Credit method of infrastructure funding, with Hitech Construction Nigeria Limited as the subcontractor.
Also, the Third Mainland Bridge which serve as longest of the three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland spanning about 12.5 km, including the access ramps.
The bridge, which starts at Oworonshoki and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island, underwent significant rehabilitation to improve its structural integrity and extend its lifespan.
The statement further said during his visit to Lagos, President Tinubu will also flag off the construction of major highway projects, both physically and virtually such as:
The 700-Kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal project which is an inter-state highway that will traverse nine states along Nigeria’s coastal shoreline, starting from Lagos and terminating in Calabar, Cross River State.
Virtual flag-off of the design and procurement for 1000km Sokoto-Badagry Highway, a project that will connect Sokoto to Badagry in Lagos State, passing through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, and Ogun States, spur from the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Virtual flag-Off of Nationwide Reconstruction and Rehabilitation which include emergency interventions on 330 roads bridges and other new road rehabilitation projects across the six geo-political zones of the nation.
The statement concluded that these flag-off and commissioning of projects demonstrate the administration’s commitment to infrastructure transformation and President’s vision on road infrastructure as a catalyst for national socio-economic advancement.