Why we gave Lagos roads’ regeneration to Berger – Sanwo-Olu

Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwoolu has explained why his administration awarded three key roads on Lagos Island local government area to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, saying the company knows the terrain, do quality jobs and deliver on schedule.

A press statement by Berger’s Head of Media, Prince Moses Duku, Thursday, said Governor Sanwo-Olu, Oba of Lagos HRM Rilwan Akiolu and Deputy Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Ehinlokun Sani, all spoke at the official project flag off of the New Massey Street Children’s hospital and the regeneration of the popular Adeniji Adele and Okepopo/Tapa streets on Lagos Island Wednesday, at the site of the proposed children’s hospital.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the road projects form a greater part of a greater Lagos agenda; and “we have engaged Messrs Julius Berger, a company that knows the terrain too well to assist”. The governor added the contractor has been given strict instruction to minimise any pain the execution of the project might cause and appealed to residents of the area to cooperate with Julius Berger for a successful project delivery on schedule.

Amidst appeal for CSR efforts from Julius Berger, His Royal Majesty Oba Akiolu said, “I have always told many people that if you give anything to Julius Berger, the company will deliver fast and well”. Like the governor, the respected monarch tasked residents of the area saying, “you have to cooperate with Julius Berger to serve you better.”

Speaking in the same vein, the deputy speaker declared that, “I have known Julius Berger for many years. They have a good track record. I worked with them when they had some jobs in this area when our leader, Alh Bola Tinubu was governor. I was leader of the boys then. The roads they did then are still motorable till date. And I have no doubt that Julius Berger will deliver better results with this project.”

Permanent Secretary, Lagos state works ministry, Engr. Rotimi Thomas in giving details of the road regeneration contract found time to encourage the Adeniji Adele community residents to “cooperate with the contractors.” Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Demola Seriki as well as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructures, Engr Monsurat Adeyoye were not left out.

In her welcome address, Adeyoye said the jobs were given to “whom the cap fits”, adding that “since the road construction work will require expansion and refixing the drainages and given the high volume of traffic on the busy Adeniji Adele , Okepopo and Tapa roads, some inconveniences would be involved on the part of members of the community. On this, I call for the usual understanding and cooperation of residents in the spirit of the typical Lagos Islander.”

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