Lekki Community inaugurates Road built through self-help

Some Members of Estates in the Lekki Peninsular, under the Aegis of the Estate Initiative, have completed a 700m Road known as Osapa-Platinum Link Road, through self help.

The new Road is to provide Commuters respite from the Lekki-Epe Expressway Traffic Congestion.

Sophie Pokima, Co-ordinator of Estate Initiative, Osapa-Platinum Road Project, during Inauguration of the Road on Saturday, said that the aim was to complement Government efforts in Transport Infrastructure Development.

According to Pokima, the development demonstrates that when Communities come together to pursue a cause, they will achieve their goals.

She said that the Road was aimed at saving the Osapa-Platinum Community from perennial  Traffic Congestion on the Osapa-Lekki-Epe Expressway.

She said that at evenings, Members of the Community spent about 30 minutes to turn into the Yahaya Dosunmu Way from Lekki-Epe Expressway.

“This obviously is not sustainable, as that long waiting time at the Traffic Light to get off the Expressway leaves Motorists frustrated and leads to indiscipline.

“Agitations that have resulted in accidents have occurred due to these situations.

“Also, for our Members who use the Chevron Drive access, it takes them between 30-45 minutes to drive to Jakande Traffic Light during peak hours.

“With all these challenges, Members of the Estate Initiative saw huge Economic and Health potential in creating an outlet into the Lekki-Epe Road, and mobilised themselves to kick off this Project,” she said.

Pokima lauded the contributions of the Chairman of Oretol Nigeria Limited, Adewale Oladapo, to the Project.

She added that the Leadership of the Lekki Estate Residents and Stakeholders Association, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Chairman, Eti Osa Local Government Area  supported  the Initiative.

“They learnt of the Project, took interest in it, took time off their busy schedules to carry out on-the-spot assessment and made contributions and pledges.

“We still,  however, have a long way to go.

“The Majority Leader has graciously linked us to the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, who not only promised to provide Lightening for the Road and other Roads on the Corridor, but also sent a Project Engineer for on-the-spot assessment and measurements.

“We thank the Commissioner and eagerly await the execution of that part of the Project,” she said.

The Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Adesegun Bankole, lauded the Community for the  Intervention.

Bankole, represented by Abiodun Maiyegun, Supervisor, Works and Infrastructure, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, urged other Estates to replicate same to complement the State Government’s efforts in addressing Infrastructure deficiencies.

He pledged the Government’s support for such an Initiative, and urged the  Residents to continually liaise with the Local Government to maximise Opportunities for Community Development.

Tari Taylaur, Chairman, Zone A,  Lekki Estate Residents and Stakeholders Association, said that it was laudable that the Community Members executed such a Project to make life easier.

She urged more Communities  to take steps within their capacities to improve Lives without waiting for Government all the time.

She also urged  Communities to keep their Environments clean.