Fourth Mainland Bridge Groundbreaking Set for March, Says Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has disclosed that construction on the 4th Mainland Bridge will begin in March.

The governor who disclosed this at the Lagos West Senatorial District town hall meeting, also said that the government had budgeted N50bn to support small businesses and petty trading in 2024.

He disclosed that the government had done extensive work on the 4th Mainland Bridge, hence the decision to do the groundbreaking on the project in March.

He also said that the government had reached the final dot for the construction of the bridge to begin.

Sanwo-Olu said, contrary to speculations, only few buildings would be demolished during the construction of the Bridge and the landlords and tenants that would be affected would be compensated, adding that “We want to start and do not want to give excuses again.”

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu said that N50bn would be distributed to support vulnerable residents, small businesses and petty traders to cushion the effect of the harsh economy climate on the people.

He added that he was committed to building a state bigger and better, even as he stated that he was distracted by the court cases challenging his election.

The governor however implored all those who challenged his election to come forward to join him in taking Lagos to the next level, if the issues were about Lagos progress.

Sanwo-Olu further said that the second term was a season of doubly up, working faster, harder to achieve more for the residents of the state.

The governor noted that though the infrastructure gap in Lagos was huge but surmountable.

During his speech, the governor provided a number of projects and programmes that have been executed by his administration, promising more in the coming days.

He said that while the Red and Blue rail lines cut across Lagos West and Central Senatorial districts, plans are on to execute the green and purple lines are for Lagos East Senatorial district. 

Sanwo-Olu further said that 12 ferries would be commissioned soon to complement the already 20 ferries being in used.

The governor also said that before the end of the year, the Federal Government will handover 150 electric buses and the state hopes to procure additional 1000 electric buses.

He said that the state government is working with some investors to achieve the procurement of the electric buses, saying it is part of achieving zero emissions by 2050.

The governor also that conversation on the airport being planned for  Ibeju-lekki area of the state has reached an advanced stage too, and work will start soon. 

According to Sanwo-Olu, 70km of new roads completed within the Lagos West Senatorial District amounting to 42 roads completed.

He said that government has identified the 15000 traders that would be the beneficiaries of the N50,000 support each for traders and the handover ceremony would be done soon.

The governor promised that the town hall meeting would been done regularly and taken to different parts of the state, so that residents can tell the government their needs and  what should be done differently as well as  render an account to the citizens of Lagos. 

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, Omotoso said that the town hall is part of the  open door policy of the Sanwo-Olu administration and his passion to deliver good governance to the residents.

“Mr Governor’s style of administration is unique – and effective. He runs the government like a company with various shareholders who look forward to huge dividends at the end of every financial year, after investing their resources in the company. In other words, today is our Annual General Meeting. 

“It is our duty to render accounts and assure our army of stakeholders and shareholders that despite any turbulence that we may have experienced, the ship of state remains steady because it is in the hands of a tested captain.

This is what we have come here to do. Mr Governor will tell you how far we have gone since you invested your votes in him for a second term of office. He will listen to you. He will provide answers to your questions. He will take your feedback. He will say to you, “come, let us reason together.’’ He will say to you, “come, let’s work together.” He will say to you, “come, let’s join the train to the Greater Lagos journey”.