Enviromentalists, communities and stakeholders are concerned over the backlash of the proposed 4th Mainland Bridge. This is as likely ‘victims’ of the project are positioning for adequate compensation, concrete actions on aquatic life, traffic and flood management that may ensue, OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE reports.
Communities along the planned 4th Mainland Bridge axis have expressed fears over the impact of the soon-to-be built bridge. For over 20 years, construction of the bridge has been on the lips of successive government in the state.
At a stakeholders’ meeting in Eti-Osa Local Government Area on the environmental and social impact of the proposed bridge on Abraham Adesanya, 10 families, HFP and Ogombo community and others at Okera Nla, Addo Road in the same council area, residents raised concerns over bad roads, flooding, gridlock and security.
An engineer with HFP Engineering, Osais Ogbeide, advised government not to hurry to build the bridge without taking care of flooding and traffic gridlock on the axis. A resident of Eden Gardens, Nnaji Ofor, also asked that the environmental impact analysis of the 38-kilometre bridge should be done before construction.
A representative from Ajah/Badore Counci, Alhaji Yekini, advised against demolishing houses and businesses places without completing the contract. A resident of Ogombo Village, Olusoji Fabuda, advised government to put in place good traffic management, alternative routes, shuttle bus to Ajah and a towing centre to make for freer movement on the axis unlike the traffic snarl the residents experience daily basis.
Another resident of Abraham Adesanya, Celena Amao, lamented that they spent hours daily which should be taken into consideration before constructing the bridge.
Generally, their concerns bordered on the bad roads, flooding, gridlock and security which the government team took turns to proffer solutions to.
The team assured that the bridge would be executed with minimal discomfort, and in consideration of the input of stakeholders on its alignment.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mr Raheem Owokoniran, while responding, explained that contractors had moved to site to fix potholes on some of the corridors, urging members of the communities to support the government in its bid to make life better for the people.
“A lot of work has been done and this stakeholders’ meeting is necessary to get your input. The proposed 38 kilometres 4th Mainland Bridge when completed would reduce congestion on roads in Lekki, as well as Badore, and would bring in investments to the axis”.
He promised that every idea, input and contributions from stakeholders would be considered.
A Director in the ministry, Mr Tokunbo Ajanaku, said the generic alignment of the project was subject to readjustment, adding that the social and environmental impacts on stakeholders were important to government.
Ajanaku said the government had been working, and planning the construction of the bridge since year 2000, and plans were in place to ensure speedy completion of the project based on recommendations made by the stakeholders.
“We must work together, what we have come here to do is to ask you to make our ideas better.
“In 20 years, we have considered 16 options. It tells you that the 4th Mainland Bridge just like any project is a work in progress.
” It requires tinkering because we are studying and engaging with you, we would get it right, ” he said.
Ajanaku said that the government would open a virtual project information room to continue getting feedback from stakeholders on best environmental and social impacts assessment for the take-off of construction.
He said government had adopted measures to tackle issues of security, flooding and gridlock raised by the stakeholders.
However, they hailed the government for coming up with a design that reduced the number of houses to be demolished from 4,000 to 800.
At the meeting, for Itamaga, Sawmill (Sagamu Road), Eyita/Ojokoro, Agric-Owutu, Ishawo and Tapa communities, held on Ikorodu-Sagamu Road.
The Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) raised alarm over some of its important road setbacks which would be consumed by the project and also raised concerns on how a proposed rail project would fit into the school plan. Furthermore, he argued that if the proposed plan is not tilted to the institution’s advantage, they may lose accreditation on some courses especially in agriculture and engineering.
LASPOTECH, represented by an architect, Mr Ajibade Adeyemi, said some proposals had been submitted to the state government, while calling for another meeting with the institution. He said: “ The Ikorodu Master Plan has taken over 100 hectares of land from the institution plus a rail sub-station.
“Our school of Agriculture and Irrigation Engineering has been eaten up by the 4th Mainland Bridge plan how do we get accreditation for several of our courses from the Nigeria University Commission, he queried.”
Chairman, Igbogbo Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Sesan Daini, reminded residents of the efforts of the government to reduce demolition of houses on the Right of Way of the project.
He appealed to residents to show appreciation and not begin to sell land on the project alignment currently used as makeshift stalls for some traders.
Daini said Igbogbo Bayekun Road was a complementing road to several facilities in the area, pleading that it should be included among roads linking any of the interchanges to the proposed bridge.
Also, the traditional ruler of Igbogbo, Oba Orimadegun Kasali, appealed to land grabbers to obey instructions not to sell land on the Right of Way (RoW) of the project.
“Let us be ready to support and accommodate this project which will benefit all of us,” he said.
