Residents and motorists in Abule Egba and environs in Lagos on Thursday expressed relief at the completion and inauguration of the Abule Egba Flyover on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that construction work on the 1.2 km flyover commenced in February 2016 and the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, inaugurated it on Wednesday.
NAN reports that the flyover was expected to be completed in 18 months but was opened for use two months ahead of time.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ambode said that the project was borne out of government’s interaction with residents on ameliorating their challenges on the road.
He said that the construction of the bridge was the beginning of the process to transform the axis to the new economic hub of the state.
Some residents and road users in the area who spoke to NAN expressed their delight at the completion of the flyover.
Mr Taiwo Aderele, a resident of Abule Egba, told NAN that the flyover would bring huge relief to motorists.
“I am very happy that they delivered the job on schedule and I appreciate the governor for being a man of his words.
“The difficulty and discomfort in plying this route because of perennial traffic gridlock will now be a thing of the past, and we can now commute comfortably.
“I will only appeal to fellow road users and government to ensure that the maintenance of the bridge so that it will serve its purpose for as long as possible,” he said.
Another resident, Mr Peter Ogu, said: “I find it hard to believe that the traffic gridlock that we used to experience will now be a thing of the past.
‘’This is a very commendable project by the Lagos State Government; and we are very grateful to Gov. Ambode,” he said.
According to Mrs Hannah Akinpelu, the flyover would open up the area for development because of the ease in commuting.
“We usually find it frustrating commuting along this axis, but this bridge will bring unimaginable relief.
“I hope government will also fix other bad portions of the Lagos-Abeokuta express road so that we can have complete relief,” she said.