Work On Pen Cinema Flyover, Airport Road Reach Advanced Completion Stages

Work on the Pen Cinema Flyover in Agege area of Lagos is now at 60 percent completion stage, the State Government said on Friday.

The government also said the 10-lane Oshodi-International Airport Road was now at over 50 percent completion stage, with an assurance that it would be completed by the end of the year.

The design of the Airport Road includes reconstruction and expansion of the existing carriage to 3-lane Expressway on both directions, construction of 2-lane Service Road in both directions, construction of Ramp Bridge to provide a U-turn from Ajao Estate to Airport, construction of a flyover at NAHCO/Toll Gate and drainage works.

Others include the removal of Pedestrian Bridge at Ajao Estate and construction of Pedestrian Bridges at Ajao Estate and NAHCO/Hajj Camp, construction of Slip Road to provide access to Ajao Estate, construction of Lay-bys and installation of Street Lights, among others.

Speaking during an inspection tour of ongoing projects across the State, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Adebowale Akinsanya, said it was gratifying to note that after the delay caused by rains, work had resumed in full swing across the State.

At Pen Cinema project site, the Commissioner, who embarked on the inspection alongside other top government functionaries, said : "This is part of the review of ongoing projects in the State and we are at the site of the critical one which is the Pen Cinema Flyover along with Airport Road in addition to all other ongoing projects.

"Most of the difficult parts of the work are already ongoing. Overall, we are at about 60 percent completion stage and right now, we have over 70 major projects ongoing but as can be seen, work is ongoing," he said.

On the delay, Akinsanya said: "Unfortunately, it is difficult to fight nature and rain has not helped and what we are seeing is the result of the heavy downpour for the last few weeks but the work is ongoing and with the cooperation from the contractors, whatever time we have lost, things will be accelerated.

"We have a good working relationship with Hi-Tech; they are committed to the project and I can assure the people that by first quarter of next year, this project will be commissioned by God's grace," the Commissioner said.

At Airport Road, the Commissioner said the project was a bit delayed to ensure that the quality of the work was not comprised and to minimize the impact on residents, but assured that it would be completed by the end of the year.

Giving details, he said 10 out of the 14 pier walls have already been completed and seven ramps, while the casting of the superstructure which is the high beam was progressing well.

He said the government was aware of difficulties being experienced with regards to potholes, saying the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode had already directed immediate repairs statewide.