The Lagos State Government will formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with investors for the construction of the proposed 4th Mainland Bridge before the end of May 2016, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said on Thursday.
Ambode, who spoke at the First Quarter 2016 Town Hall Meeting – the third in the series – held at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu, assured residents that once the MoU is signed, work would begin on the bridge, which according to him, would go a long way to boost the economy of Lagos East Senatorial District.
The projected 26km state of the art 4th Mainland Bridge is one of the most anticipated projects in the history of the state and a failed campaign promise of successive governments at state and federal levels.
“Many investors have shown interest in the actualisation of our dream for the 4th Mainland Bridge which will run from Ajah to Ikorodu to Isawo and berth at Ojodu, Ikeja back to the Ibadan expressway. By the grace of God, we will sign an MoU and commence action before May 29,” Ambode said.
Responding to complaints on the menace of commercial motorcycles, otherwise known as Okada, Ambode asked the people whether they would support a total ban on such mode of transportation in this age and time and in a city like Lagos, a question which was answered in the affirmative by majority of the stakeholders in the hall who raised their hands in support.
The Governor said: “I’m encouraged by this very transparent, credible, free and fair affirmation which I just got from the people. From the response, many of the people in this hall are in support of a total ban on Okada and since this is a government of the people, all the security agencies in Lagos including the Police, Task Force, LASTMA and others, to start with, are hereby directed to fully enforce the ban on Okada between Mile 12 and Ikorodu.
“We will not tolerate Okada on the road and I hereby emphasise that there is no more Okada on Mile 12-Ikorodu Road. Anyone caught flouting this directive will have their Okada impounded and we would prosecute such people as well before the court.”
Highlighting some of his administration’s strides in the last quarter, Ambode said the state achieved major breakthrough in security, saying that since the launch of the N4.78 billion equipment, the state had won several battles against crime.
He said the quick response in the rescue of the kidnapped female students of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary in Ikorodu and the quelling of the Mile 12 riot were testimonies of the effectiveness of the security system in Lagos.
The Governor added that many criminals had so far been arrested since the launch of the security equipment, saying that he was ready to pay for information given that would lead to the arrest of hardened criminals.
“I am ready to pay monetary compensation for information on hardened criminals as we proceed to make Lagos crime-free. We are happy to report that crime rate has also reduced in the last three months,” he said.
