Residents of Isolo, Ejigbo, Mushin, Oke Afa and environs have much cause to be joyful and heave a sign of relive as the motion sponsored by Hon. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson on the expansion of the road from Pako, Isolo to Mushin which will reduce the congestion and traffic logjam usually witnessed on daily basis and which in turn will contribute to the economic growth of the Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency2 in particular and Lagos State in general has been passed at the Green chamber and work has begun on it having received the nods of the Federal government.
The road, which was constructed in the 70s, is a major road connecting the Mainland of Lagos to Isolo. It spans through Isolo, Mushin, Oshodi/Apapa Expressway, Ajao Estate via Airport road. It also plays hosts to many of the major alternative roads in the area.
“On completion of the project, it will enhance my representation desires to transform Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency2 economically and also serve as a booster to the yearnings and expectations of the constituents who spend average of 6 hours on a journey that should not last more than 45 minutes ” said Hon. Johnson.
The project which is being handled by the Federal Ministry of Works had in attendance Engr. Omotayo Awosanya, Director Highway (Design), Engr. Chukwudi Sibeudu (PCE HDR) and Engr. Michael Alonge, Senior Engineer. Also present at the site were: Hon. Ganiyu Johnson ( MHR), his legislatives aides and two representatives of Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Messrs Hamzat Muyideen and Femi Ayinde Marshal.
However, it would be recalled that Hon. Johnson also sponsored motion for the dredging of Oke-Afa Canal at the time of moving the motion for the expansion of Isolo/Mushin road last year.
Hon. Johnson, who expressed optimism that the dredging of the Oke-Afa canal will reduce the congestion at various ports and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Praising the Federal government and the Hon. Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives for this feat, he assured the constituents that the appropriate Agency or ministry will be mobilized to commence the dredging project in due time.
“It would be recalled, Oke Afa Canal was the site where hundreds of men, women and children unfortunately got drowned in the hyacinth covered mud while trying to escape from the Ikeja Military Cantonment bomb blast mishap in year 2001.
While passing the motion, the House also noted that the canal is heavily silted and requires dredging so that storm water from adjoining surface roads can easily be transported to the lagoon to reduce the perennial flooding in the area as well as to ensure a ceaseless migrant flow into the city that has compounded commuting owing to poor road network in Lagos State.
Hon. Johnson while moving the motion last year convinced other Honourable members at the floor of the Green chamber to appreciate that: ” Lagos, located on the Atlantic Coastline with the foremost Apapa seaport and being the Nation’s commercial nerve centre with over 8 million inhabitants commuting daily and also harbouring about 80% of industries in the country which ensures a ceaseless migrant flow into the city deserves greater attention.”
While praising the Federal government for its responsiveness, Hon. Johnson was optimistic that dredging Oke-Afa stream, which links Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 2, to Festac, Apapa via Mile2, to Marina will ease the gridlock of traffic being encountered by the constituents on daily basis.
