…Adeniji Adele, Oke Popo/Tapa Roads to be rehabilitated
IBRAHIM QUADRI
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday flagged off the construction of New Massey Children’s Hospital and rehabilitation of Adeniji Adele, Oke- Popo and Tapa Streets in Lagos Island of the State.
The new paediatric hospital shall be a 7-Storey, 150-bed, ultra-modern centre to take care of infants.
Adeniji Adele is a major strategic bypass that traverses the administrative boundary of Lagos Island Local Government Area.
Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Sanwo-Olu said, “The construction of the New Massey Children’s Hospital reflects our unwavering determination to bridge all gaps in the health sector while the reconstruction of three major roads on Lagos Island demonstrates this Administration’s commitment to an inclusive and non-discriminatory developmental agenda for Lagos State. Both projects affirm our commitment to the social contract we signed with Lagosians on May 29, 2019.
“We are honoured by the trust reposed in us and we will continue to seek new opportunities to respond to the infrastructure needs of Lagosians: This Government is driven by the desire to build a formidable and equitable State with productive and healthy citizens.
“As a responsive government, we identified the inadequacy of Massey Children’s Hospital to continue to meet the needs of a megacity with a population of 22 million people,” he noted.
Going down the memory lane, Governor Sanwo-Olu recalled that, “The hospital was established in 1914 as the First General Outpatient Clinic and Referral Centre in Lagos State, and was converted to a full fledged Paediatrics Hospital in 1961. As a result of the steady and increasing number of patients who daily throng the hospital to access medical services, the capacity has been overstretched and must be urgently upgraded to provide quality service to patients.
“Guided by the Second Pillar of our T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda which encompasses Health and the Environment, we are rebuilding, remodeling and repositioning the Massey Children’s Hospital into a 7-Storey, 150-bed, ultra Modern and fit-for-purpose Paediatrics Programmed and Emergency General Hospital.
“On completion, the hospital will provide secondary integrated care services and acute care to both inpatients and outpatients in line with international best practices.”
Speaking on the Adeniji Adele, Oke Popo and Tapa Streets, Sanwo-Olu stated that the reconstruction of the roads was part of the Lagos Island Area North Action Plan, adding “a regeneration project being handled by an Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising the Ministries of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Works and Infrastructure, Environment and Water Resources.”
According to him, “When completed, the newly upgraded roads will improve road connectivity, unlock the perennial traffic gridlock in this area with resultant reduction in travel time, eliminate the perennial flooding often experienced in this area, enhance property values and further improve business and economic activities on Lagos Island.
“In order to ensure prompt and quality delivery of the roads, we have engaged Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, a company with a great wealth of experience working in this terrain, and which incidentally, undertook the initial construction of Adeniji Adele Road.
“We firmly believe that, when completed, these projects will positively impact the lives of the good people and residents of Lagos State including those who work and do business on this part of Lagos Island.
“I implore the good people of Lagos Island and its environs to bear with the temporary inconveniences that usually characterize road construction works of this magnitude. I am happy to inform you that the contractor is under strict instructions to minimize the pains that will be borne during the period of construction and has been charged to ensure the timely completion of this project.”
In her welcome address, the Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye said, “These laudable projects is another effort of the Sanwo-Olu Administration to support businesses, promote economic development and ultimately improve the standard of living of Lagosians.
According to her Lagos Island could be referenced as one of the largest commercial corridors in the state, saying “This therefore necessitated the administration’s plan for infrastructural renewal and upgrade of the whole Lagos Island.
“The bad conditions of these roads can be attributed to the poor drainage channel servicing them. The blockage of drainage channels either by silt or refuse. Interrupted outlets, and in some instances of drain size inadequacy or largely contributes to road pavement damage.
She solicited for the cooperation of the residents and various stakeholders, pleading for their understanding with inconveniences associated with the construction works.
