Reconstruction of Jibowu, Costain-Ojuelegba bridges not in 2017, ’18 budgets
Just as both the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday agreed on the need to demolish two strategic flyovers, the Jibowu and Costain-Ojuelegba to pave way for the effective takeoff of the Lagos – Ibadan standard gauge rail development by the China Railway Construction Company (CRCC), checks on the already presented 2018 budget estimates did not reflect any allocation for the reconstruction of the flyovers. Besides, there is also no provision in the prevailing 2017 budget either.
The scenario therefore raises issues of curl-d-sac at both end of the two bridges to be pulled down.
Transport analysts say, diversion of traffic from the roads after the demolition may take high level thinking as areas where the traffic will be diverted may be a big problem.
Apart from traffic crisis that will ensure, there is the problem of gas pipelines along the way that must also give way.
Amaechi had while carrying out on-the-spot assessment of the project areas in Ogun state alongside other members of the Project Steering Committee and representatives of the CRCC, given the indications that Lagos has agreed on the pulling down of the bridge and the need to relocate other utility infrastructure on the way.
The Minister was silent on the cost of the bridge reconstruction, but noted that Ministry is working with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to resolve the issue with the gas pipelines.
The inspection took the team to Ijoko, Itori, Awado and Papalanto all in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun state from the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) compound in Ebute-Metta areas of Lagos.
