Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Oluwole Sotire; Engr. Tokunbo Oyenuga, Director of Road Construction & Rehabilitation; and Member representing Alimosho Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Kehinde Josephat the press briefing in Alausa, Wednesday
Akesan-Egan road project: ‘We have compensated affected landlords’ – Lagos Govt
Lagos Government has stated that it has fully paid landlord affected by the construction of the multi-million Naira Akesan-Egan Road project in the Alimosho council area of the state.
The project which first phase involving the Egan end of the nearly three-kilometre long Isuti Road was completed early in the year, was stalled following complaints by aggrieved land owners of compensation related issues.
Speaking at the Stakeholders meeting in Alausa, Ikeja, Wednesday, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Oluwole Sotire said that the project is necessary to ensure a livable and sustainable environment, especially for the people of Egan-Akesan.
This is also Engr Sotire called for residents’ cooperation on the construction of Egan-Akesan Road in Alimosho Local Government Area.
Whilst calling for cooperation, he stated that the successful execution of the project would provide the required succour to residents by enhancing connectivity and easing traffic as well as improving the value of property in the area.
Sotire emphasised that the establishment of Right of Way (RoW), which is a condition precedent to the execution of all public projects, followed a certain process, including the service of statutory notices and marking of affected buildings before the actual removal of encumbering structures to pave the way for the impending development in the public interest.
He explained that the removal of encumbrances on the Right of Way (RoW) for the unhindered take-off of a project was an important pathway to the smooth execution of the project.
He added that where the removal of encumbering structures became inevitable, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had made the payment of compensation mandatory and the agency of Government to coordinate that is the Lands Bureau, which would require the cooperation of residents while carrying out the enumeration of the affected properties.
He said that Lagos State, in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda, was making a remarkable success in the area of infrastructure renewal as evident in the construction of roads across the state.
Also remarking, Permanent Secretary, Office of Infrastructure, Engr. Olufemi Daramola, speaking through Engr. Tokunbo Oyenuga, Director of Road Construction & Rehabilitation, highlighted the features of the road including the provision of service ducts, street lights with LED lamps and a generator as well as the provision of road signages among others.
Member representing Alimosho Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Kehinde Joseph urged the people to embrace the project to benefit maximally in the form of de-flooding, enhanced interconnectivity, and the provision of direct and indirect employment.
He enjoined the contractor of the project to employ the use of local artisans in executing the project.
Also, joining the call for the people to take ownership of the road project is an Assistant Director at Lands Bureau, ESV. Titilayo Wesley disclosed that affected people with valid documents would be duly compensated.
Others who spoke at the event include the Chairman of Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Comrade Akinsanya Ayinde and the Director/Principal, Skilld Acquisition Centre, Igando, Mrs. Popoola Omotolani.
