The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, said the Oyingbo Overpass was strategic as it would ease traffic in the state, especially around the Oyingbo-Yaba-Adekunle area.
Sanwo-Olu, who spoke at the unveiling of the Oyingbo Overpass, one of the five overpasses being constructed across rail lines in the state, also noted that the inauguration of the bridge was timely as the Federal Government was set to commence the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge on Monday (today).
The governor said the Oyingbo Overpass would serve as an alternative route for commuters travelling between the Island and the mainland during the period of the rehabilitation, hence, providing succour for commuters.
“As the Federal Ministry of Transport commences the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge and the total overlay of its pavement, this bridge will provide a lot of relief to motorists,” he announced.
Speaking on the significance of the Oyingbo Overpass, Sanwo-Olu said, “Given the importance of Oyingbo as a major link between the mainland and the Island, we are investing so much in the provision of transport infrastructure that will support commerce and enhance ease of movement.
“Part of the infrastructure is the Yaba Bus Terminal, which, unfortunately, was torched by arsonists alongside over 50 new high-capacity buses during the #EndSARS protest.
“Today, we have risen from the ashes of those dark days as we forge ahead in the development of our transport infrastructure.
Here in Oyingbo, we also have the Oyingbo Train Station of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line. The siting of these infrastructures in this area is strategic and intentional to achieve a seamless integrated intermodal transport system for the people.”
The special guest of honour at the inauguration ceremony and Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, congratulated Sanwo-Olu, who he called “our mentor,” on his various successes in the state.
Sanwo-Olu, last Thursday, unveiled the Yaba Overpass last, noting that bridges are being constructed across rail lines in the state to stop train-vehicular accidents.
Earlier, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, who noted that the bridges are an essential part of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line rail project to ensure the safety of Lagosians, disclosed that the LRMT Red Line Oyingbo Overpass has a total length of 717 metres.
“I would also like to inform you that the infrastructure to support the operation of the LRMT Red Line rail is already in place with stations and rail platforms built at Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege and Iju. By and large, the system is ready for test operation,” she added.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, noted that the LRMT projects are a subset of the State Strategic Transport Master Plan, “which prescribes six rail lines and one monorail for Lagos. For the Red Line to be fully functional, there must be some supporting infrastructure that must be provided.”
He said the STMP “is very clear and specific on the transport projects and infrastructure required to make our beloved state competitive among the college of cities.”
The LRMT Red Line Oyingbo Overpass is one of such supporting infrastructure. Lagosians would recall that our governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, last Thursday, commissioned the Yaba Overpass, the first of the four newly constructed overpass bridges over the Red Line tracks to be commissioned.
“The provision of this transport infrastructure is a testament to the fulfilment of the electoral promises of Mr Governor under the first pillar of the THEMES+ developmental agenda, Traffic Management and Transportation.
“The government’s vision for transportation for Lagos is one that is sustainable, intermodal, and an integrated system. Our transport infrastructure, therefore, speaks to intramodality. For instance, the Oyingbo train station connects to this terminal, thus giving commuters the choice of which transport mode to use to get to their destinations,” the commissioner stated.
Osiyemi added that “while it is the responsibility of the government to provide infrastructure, it is important for the people for whom they are provided to own them and that they report any abuse of the infrastructure to law enforcement agencies and the ministries or agencies in charge. This way our infrastructure will work for us and make life easier for us.”