A cross section of Lagos State residents on Wednesday lauded the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for keeping to his promise of repairing the failed portions of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, saying that the development has transformed the economic landscape of the axis.

Governor Ambode and his team, had about five weeks ago, made an unscheduled inspection of the road while returning from a function, where he expressed dissatisfaction at the deplorable state of some portions of the road.

Governor Ambode not only directed the officials of the Ministry of Works to immediately move to site, but also ordered that an immediate palliative measure be put in place to alleviate the sufferings of motorists who have been complaining about the deplorable state of the road through various means.

The spokesperson for the Governor had specifically stressed that the Lagos State Government could not afford to ignore the road due to its strategic importance to the economy of the State.

A total of 4klm was repaired on the long stretch of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway between Berlett, Ilasa and Cele Bus stops inward Oshodi. The blocked drain which caused the damage to the road was repaired while work is currently ongoing on the service lane of the road.

Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday, a trader who deals in office equipment in the area.

Mr. Akeem Abolarinwa said the repair of the road in less than five weeks was a miracle, and it only confirmed the genuine intention of Governor Ambode to transform the State.

He said: “We are very happy with the repair of this road. This road has been in very deplorable state for long and we have been enduring untold hardship as a result of the sad development.

“I remember very well just about five weeks ago when Governor Ambode passed through this area and saw the deplorable state of the road. He came down from his vehicle and inspected it and promised us that work would start on it. Here we are today enjoying the good road. Our businesses have witnessed quantum boost since the completion of the repair work and I just want to pray that God will continue to grant Governor Ambode wisdom and strength to lead the State,” Abolarinwa said.

Another trader in area, Alhaji Sani Wasiu, who sells home and office furniture, commended Governor Ambode for keeping his words just within three days after inspecting the road.

He said: “This is a good development. In fact, I don’t know how to appreciate the Governor. He made a promise and fulfilled it. This road was repaired in less than five weeks and this has never happened before and it is a big surprise to every one of us in this area.

“When the Governor said repair work would commence on the road immediately, we thought it was a joke and just after three days that he visited the road, we saw massive mobilization of Julius Berger to the road and they commenced work immediately.

“Everything has changed since the repair of the road. Even security has improved in this area and we now have more people coming to patronize us. I just want to give kudos to him,” Wasiu said.

On her part, a resident of the area, Mrs Ronke Onaopepo said the quality of work done on the road within few weeks was commendable and an eloquent confirmation of the fact that the Governor is passionate about the development of the State.

She said: “We have had instances of containerized trucks falling off the road and causing traffic gridlock for hours due to the deplorable state of the road. But now, that is a thing of the past and our story has changed for the good all thanks to a compassionate Governor in charge of Lagos