The Lagos State Government has expressed readiness to reconfigure the Ikorodu Roundabout in its bid to unlock traffic gridlock, checkmate the activities of the roadside traders and other impediments to the free flow of traffic.
The State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, made this known during a Stakeholders’ engagement with the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, His Royal Highness, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, Chiefs, prominent personalities and community leaders in Ikorodu, held at the Ayangburen’s Palace.
He explained that in the light of the exploding population of Ikorodu, there is need to fast track infrastructural development that will be commensurate with the growth rate of the area and in line with the State’s Transport Master Plan
Dr. Oladeinde reiterated that transportation is the engine room of the economy, noting that once the transport issue is adequately addressed, the ripple effects on other critical sectors of the economy would be positive.
“We have come today to discuss with you how we can maximise the space presently occupied by the Ikorodu Roundabout despite the challenges posed by the activities of public transport and roadside traders. Among other things, we want to remove the Ikorodu Roundabout and create laybys. This is just a step forward into getting a permanent solution to the gridlock in this area”, the Commissioner stated.
He also disclosed that the Ikorodu Roundabout reconfiguration is just one of the stop-gap measures to solve the gridlock in the short term, stressing that the State government is doing a lot to improve water transportation in the State, with Ikorodu well-positioned to benefit immensely, adding that the Orange Line Rail project is in the pipeline as part of the long term transportation plan expected to take off from Ikeja to Agbowa.
The Commissioner promised to integrate all the contributions made by the Oba and others into the current proposal on the reconfiguration of the Ikorodu roundabout and subsequently the multimodal transport plan of the State.
The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, disclosed that the expectations of the residents of Ikorodu over the long term plan are – the construction of Fly-Overs at Ikorodu Roundabout, Ogolonto and Agric Bus Stop by the State government – but he acknowledged that embarking on these projects will be capital intensive, hence the need to support the proposed roundabout intervention.
Oba Shotobi said, “I want us to support and rally-round the Commissioner for Transportation and his team on this noble project. We should not criticise him and his team so much that he will be demoralised. Let us accept this as we expect bigger projects in Ikorodu from the State Government”.
The Mogaji of Ikorodu, Engr. Bawa Allah, opined that the provision for service lane from Ikorodu to Majidun should be maximised by the State Government to decongest the road, adding that the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge and coastal roads will further ease traffic gridlock as there will be many outlets from Ikorodu.
In his contribution, the Chairman, Ikorodu Central Local Government, Mr. Wasiu Adeshina reiterated the need for enforcement, especially on traders who display their wares beyond the drainages at the garage, noting that the encroachment of roadside traders into the main road is a major contributor to the traffic gridlock being presently experienced.
