Nigeria has commenced reconstruction works on Somolu by-pass in Lagos State. Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako made the announcement and said that the project is in line with the determination of the Administration of His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu to provide key infrastructure that is vital to development.
“The road construction is intended by the State Government to make the area more livable for the residents of Fadipe Street,” said Dr. Idris.
Somolu by-pass
Dr. Idris said that the existing road which 16ism by 480m in dimension will be upgraded with modern facilities such as paved stone surfacing materials, covered drainage and culverts, service ducts and streetlights.
Upon completion, Somolu by-pass will provide many benefits to the people among which are improved aesthetic value of the area, improved connectivity index, improved rental and capital value as well as improved level of socio-cultural interaction and evolution.
The Lands bureau will be contacted to compensate the affected property owners within the right of way of the project as the process of payment of compensation was part of the package for owners of property that would be affected.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, also affirmed that Nigerian roads are not as bad as they are being portrayed. He insisted that reports on the poor state of roads in the country are mere hype. He further explained that but for funding challenges, most road projects would have been long completed.
Nigeria has the largest road network in West Africa and the second largest south of the Sahara, with roughly 108,000 km of surfaced roads in 1990. Total road network includes motorways, highways, and main or national roads. However they are poorly maintained and are often cited as a cause for the country’s high rate of road fatalities.
