Ladies and Gentlemen, today, Lagos State is recording another major milestone in it’s almost 50years of existence. We have just signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the 4th Mainland Bridge. The 38km bridge and expressway will become the longest bridge and expressway anywhere when completed.
The significance of this bridge will be fully appreciated if we can imagine Lagos of today without the 3rd Mainland Bridge. Almost Thirty years after the delivery of the 3rd Mainland Bridge; the State has experienced phenomenal growth to become a megalopolis – a city-State with a population of over 21 million people. The increase in the State’s population and expanded commercial activity has led to frequent traffic congestion. This has made it imperative for us to have a 4th Mainland Bridge that will serve as an alternative route to the Eastern axis and decongest traffic in the State.
More importantly this bridge will provide the required transportation compliment to the rapidly growing industrial activities on the Eti-Osa – Lekki – Epe corridor of the State.
The proposed alignment passes through Lekki, Langbasa and Baiyeiku towns along the shoreline of the Lagos Lagoon estuaries, further running through Igbogbo River Basin and crossing the Lagos Lagoon estuaries to Itamaga Area in Ikorodu. It then crosses the Itoikin road and the Ikorodu – Sagamu Road to connect Isawo inward Lagos Ibadan Expressway at Ojodu Berger axis. The Bridge would be made up of 8 interchanges to facilitate effective interconnectivity between different parts of the State.
This structure will be a Four-lane dual carriageway with each comprising 3 lanes and 2metres hard shoulder on each side. The bridge will be constructed to have a generous median to allow for both future carriageway expansion and light rail facility.
There is no gainsaying the fact that huge benefits will be derived from this project but most importantly, make life more comfortable for Lagosians.
I must not fail to mention that this PPP arrangement with our partners, seated here today, is a major testimony to the confidence they have in our administration and the Nigerian economy in general. We have learnt our lessons and we are confident that this project will be delivered on a Win-Win framework for all investors.
This is so because this is the first time in the history of the State that we are embarking on the construction of a long-span bridge and expressway without Federal funding; and also having a project to be funded solely by the private sector.
I am delighted that this project which has been on the drawing board for quite some time is now set to become a reality. This again, is the Continuity with improvement which we promised Lagosians.
We have started the process with the signing of this MOU which is an expression of the commitment of major stakeholders including the government and the consortium of consultants and investors to the delivery of the project within the scheduled time frame.
Let me use this opportunity to reassure all Lagosians of our commitment to the Lagos Project with World Class transportation system as a vital component. A modern and efficient transport system for the movement of people, materials and finished products is a key requirement for the sustenance of economic growth in a State like ours.
We shall therefore continue to leverage on our endowments to explore opportunities to make ours an efficient, effective and integrated transportation system.
I want to appreciate everyone present here today; our party leaders, all consultants, investors and government officials.
Thank you for making history today.
Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko, lo je wa l’ogun!
Akinwunmi Ambode
Governor of Lagos State,
Alausa.
May, 2016