Lagos Extends Oshodi-Airport Road to Ladipo Markets

•€€€€€€ Appoints Pedro to chair Lagos Sports Fund

Gboyega Akinsanmi

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Monday disclosed that the state government would extend the reconstruction of Oshodi-Airport expressway to Ladipo Market, West Africa’s largest spare parts market along the Oshodi-Apapa expressway.

Ambode also appointed a former Deputy Governor of the state, Femi Pedro, as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund (LSSTF) and Dr. Kweku Adedayo Tandoh as the Chairman Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC).
He revealed the decision to extend the 10-lane Oshodi-Airport road project after inspecting different strategic projects in the state alongside some members of the State Executive Council on Monday.

During the inspection, the governor disclosed the plan to construct a foot bridge at Toyota Bus Stop along the Oshodi-Apapa road, noting that it was in response to the yearning of traders and residents of the area.
He noted that the contractor expected to begin work on the bridge next week and that the extension would complement the Airport Road reconstruction in line with the regeneration of the entire Oshodi axis.

He said there “is no point doing the Oshodi-Airport expressway if we do not extend it to contract to Ladipo Market along Oshodi-Apapa expressway. So, we will reconstruct from Oshodi to The Guardian Newspapers. I want to rehabilitate the road and turn it to a modern road.

“The only way I can do it also is if you don’t do any trading on the road. I promise I will construct a foot bridge at Toyota Bus Stop. So, the contractor that is doing the Airport Road will commence work on the foot bridge and this road next week if you allow me.

“That is why I have come here personally. I was here yesterday. I do not want to inconvenience you. But I have appeal to you to be patience with us. We will bring growth and development to this place.” 
Ambode lamented the presence of traders displaying their wares on the road, which he complained, was hampering the construction work and delaying the completion on schedule. He said he had come out personally to appeal to traders to leave the road to enable us work. If they comply, the project would be delivered by May 2018.

However, the governor inaugurated the Governing Boards of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) and the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund (LSSTF) at the State House, Alausa yesterday in line with the laws that established the two sports institutions.

Ambode, specifically, explained the significance of the two sports agencies, noting that the agencies, whose activities are complimentary to each other, would perform the task of positioning the state as one of the top sports destinations on the continent.

He noted that the LSSC would be responsible for upgrading and maintaining our various sports facilities, developing strategic plans for sports development in the state, identifying and creating new locations for development of community sports facilities as well as overseeing the activities of all the sports associations in the state.

He added that funds raised through the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund “will be utilized for various aspects of sports development on the recommendation and advice of the sports commission.
“Our vision is to make our state a hub for sports, tourism and entertainment and leveraging on the interconnectivity within the three sectors. We believe strongly that sports can put the state on the global map.

“The recently concluded Lagos Marathon has already received international recognition and will soon be regarded as a major event in the world athletic calendar.
“With more sports events like the Lagos Marathon, we will engage more youths, produce more star athletes and create a synergy with sports, tourism, entertainment and hospitality; growing our economy and serving as a tool for youth empowerment and development,” Ambode explained.

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