Governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has rekindled the hope of the Fourth Mainland Bridge, adding that work will begin in December 2021.
The Fourth Mainland Bridge designed to gulp $2.5 billion is a proposed 38-kilometre long bridge initiative by the Lagos State Government.
It will connect Lagos Island by way of Lekki, Langbasa, and Baiyeku towns and across Lagos Lagoon to Itamaga in the Ikorodu part.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, stated this on Thursday, in his address titled: “Sanwo-Olu: 731 Days and Beyond, the state of the state address, and the glimpse of the greater Lagos,” at grand-finale of a month’s long activities commemorating the second year anniversary of his administration in the state, held at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
Speaking on the proposed construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge, Sanwo-Olu said the contract is at the final stage of completion as all arrangements set for implementation.
He said: “We, therefore, believe that the construction of the 37km 4th Mainland Bridge will significantly change the face of transportation and movement in Lagos State.
“The ground-breaking for the construction and building of the Bridge will happen before the end of this year. Our PPP concessionaires appear committed as they enter the final stage of the qualification process.
“All necessary funding has been secured by our partners. The governor added that one of the future plans include: Oko-Oloyun and Idowu-Egba wooden bridges which link LASU Iba Road, Igando to Ayobo area in Alimosho local government area.
Speaking on the theme, ‘A Glimpse into the future,’ Sanwo-Olu stated that Lagosians should be with his administration over the ongoing construction projects all over the State, saying he is aware of some discomfort being experienced.
The Governor said, “Lagos is 0.4 per cent of Nigeria’s total landmass, with a population of 22 million, representing about 10 per cent of the country’s total population. Looking at the interaction between these figures, one will notice an obvious disproportion between population size and habitation space.
“This, among other reasons, explains the perennial congestion on Lagos roads and across the State. As a government, we have undertaken several innovative means of ensuring that citizens’ travel experiences are palatable.”
On the integrated mass transit system, Sanwo-Olu said, “From this day on, we are certainly heading in the direction that our city will become so connected by an Integrated Mass Transit System that a trip to the farthest part of the state will be reduced by half of the current travel time.
“We are focused on activating an intermodal transport system that gives Lagosians the options of commuting by Water, Road, and Rail. “We are completing our intermodal bus terminals at Ajah, Abule Egba, Iju, Ojota, and Anthony Village.
“This administration has raised funding for the completion of Phase 1 of the 27km Blue Line Rail Project traversing Okokomaiko to Marina, with a daily passenger capacity of 500,000.
“We flagged off the construction of the 37.5km Rail Mass Transit Red Line from Agbado to Marina. The rail corridor will move 1 million passengers daily when operating at full capacity.
The rail has 8 stations and 8 vehicle overpasses. “We expect to see the first passenger movement on this rail transportation before the end of this administration.
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“Since the beginning of this administration, we have consciously promoted water transportation as one of our intermodal commuting options available to our citizens.
We are currently fifteen jetties, invested in passenger boats for the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), and built on-water satellite monitoring station for passengers’ safety in emergency situations”.
On Bus Reform Initiative, he said, “Our plan in the Bus Reform Initiative is to increase the First and Last Mile (FLM) Scheme to a fleet of 5,000 in the next 1 year.
We also plan to introduce Lagos Ride under our Taxi Scheme. This will witness an initial injection of 1000 cars.
“This initiative is meant to give our commuters options either on our high-capacity buses, medium-capacity buses, or taxis, which will reduce their dependence on Okada (commercial motorcycle) as a means of transportation in our state.
“The Imota Rice mill is scheduled for completion this year. Upon completion, the production capacity of the Mill will be amongst the largest in the world and largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, producing 2.5million bags of 50kg rice annually.
“At full capacity, the Rice Mills will provide a steady supply of 2.4million bags of 50kg rice to Lagosians and create more than 250,000 jobs.
“Completing these projects within the next 24 months will bring absolute transformation to the livelihoods and the economy of our dear State. We have spent the last 729 days laying the foundation for all these to happen seamlessly.”
On security and youth empowerment, the Governor said, “The totality of our efforts is geared towards ensuring a safe and secure society, where youth employment is guaranteed.
With more than two-thirds of Lagos state population falling below age 30, it is indisputable that the future of our State is the empowerment of our youth and the security of their future.
Our administration is committed to working with the youth and providing a safe environment for all to thrive.
“Most of our programmes are focused on empowering the youth. In the creative industry where thousands of them are being trained to become masters of their arts.
“No fewer than 4000 youths have been placed in companies under Internship programme, and many more will join. Our Volunteer Corps has more than 9,000 young people.
“The youth constitute the majority of the players in the tech-ecosystem and we have been supporting by funding for innovative start-ups.
Today, we have funded over 20 start-ups in areas such as agriculture-tech, environmental tech, educational technology, and small-scale manufacturing. ‘
“Last October, we provided over $10,000 to each of the start-ups. We have also funded over 70 research initiatives across 4 Universities and Colleges of Education.
“On Security, we are currently working with the various state security operatives to determine additional operational and infrastructure needs that the state can support.
“In this regard, I shall in the coming week, be handing over operational vehicles, communication gadgets, ballistic vests and helmets, anti-riot water cannon vehicles, and Armed Personnel Carriers (APCs) to our various security operatives to further enhance and improve their operations which will ultimately have a positive impact on the security status in the state.
“I have given you an account of what we have done in recognition of your place as those who bestowed on us the sacred responsibility of leadership. We are standing on the threshold of history. The Greater Lagos we collectively envisioned is closer now than ever before.”