By Moshood Adebayo

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has reiterated his commitment to the well-being of Lagosians when he commissioned the Ajah and Abule Egba bridges, yesterday.
The bridges, named ‘Jubilee,’ were conceived to resolve the perennial traffic gridlock at the different locations.
The Ajah Bridge is a 160-metre long, dual carriageway with a total length of 620 metres ramp, with service lames on either side  of the bridge and median, kerb and walkways.
On the other hand, the  scope of work at Abule Egba  includes 700 metre bridge of 7.3 metre dual carriageway with 1,100 metre  service lanes and drains on both sides of the service lanes.
Ambode said Ajah Jubilee Bridge will eliminate the traffic jam usually experienced on the road with the adjourning roads like the Freedom and Admiralty roads providing an alternative route to the Lekki/Ikoyi Bridge, thereby, easing traffic at Lekki Phase 1.
His words: “We give this project priority because of its strategic importance to the economic growth of the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Ibeju-Lekki-Epe axis. This axis will play a key role in the future prosperity of Lagos state as the home to many multi-billion naira private investments in the Lekki Free Trade Zone as well as the upcoming seaport and airport.”
Ambode said he is irrevocably committed to making the state an investment haven, hence “we have made it a duty to put in place top class infrastructure that will facilitate movement of people, goods and materials”.
The governor said the Abule Egba bridge signposts the beginning of a new era of development that would enhance the standard of living of the people in the axis with the provision of the infrastructure. Ambode said his administration had commenced the construction of a new BRT road network to Oshodi to make life more meaningful for Lagosians and added that all roads disrupted in the course of the construction of the bridges had been awarded for rehabilitation while a shopping mall will also be constructed at Oke-Odo Market, Abule Egba, to further boost economic activities in the axis.
Meanwhile, transport unions and some motorists yesterday lauded recent ban of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from Lagos roads.
Residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), commended the state government for the ban. They believe it will ease flow of traffic on the roads.
Lagos State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, said the development will bring positive change to gridlocks across the state.
“The ban is a welcome development and will allow free flow of traffic across the state. At times, some of the traffic congestions that motorists encounter are due to the activities of the VIOs on the roads. Many times, traffic stalls and builds up while the VIO personnel are checking vehicle particulars on the roads.
“Checking vehicle particulars using technology is definitely the way to go to ensure that road users are not hampered in any way,’’ Agbede said.
Also, Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Alhaji Musa Muhammed, said the ban will reduce the number of law enforcement agencies on the road.
“The police will ask for your particulars, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will demand your particulars, likewise VIO.
“There has always been a need to reduce duplication of efforts by these agencies and it is gratifying to see that the Lagos State Government is tackling the problem,’’ the RTEAN chairman said.
A commercial driver, Mr. Wale Akinsanya, said he is happy over the ban because it would reduce traffic jams on the roads.
Mrs Dorcas Ogunnaike, a motorist in Lagos, was, however, of the opinion that the ban on VIOs would result in the return of rickety vehicles to the roads.
Ogunaike said the ban would also allow motorists to break traffic laws such as driving without valid documents.