AFTER months of speculations,  the N9.3 billion Ilaje/Lekki road project was  finally inaugurated some weeks  ago by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu at Araromi seaside in Ilaje local government area of Ondo State.

GOVERNOR Akeredolu said at the epoch ceremony that the state government had set aside a special account for the construction of the road, pointing out that the NDDC had also promised to pay its counterpart fund into it.

COMPLETION  date for the 50km road is 36 months.  The design for the road provided for 67 culverts and a carriage width of 7.3 meters. It also provided for a shoulder width of 2.75 meters on both sides of the road and a total pavement thickness of  400  millimeters.

THE  project, after completion is expected to open the coastal area to the outside world and thus serve as a catalyst to the transformation of Ondo as a real investment haven.

OBVIOUSLY, the road, after completion would serve as a link between Niger Delta coastal communities and Lagos state,  thus accentuating  unprecedented economic activities in  the coastal area of the state.

THE construction of the age-long neglected 50 kilometers road from Akodo in Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State to Araromi in Ilaje local government area of Ondo State will no doubt boost integrated economic development in Ibeju Lekki and Ondo State.

WE commend the development as a laudable and remarkable feat. The administration within two years in the State, has taken an audacious step to execute such a monumental project.

THIS  project is the first Memorandum of Understanding ever signed by NNDC with any state government within its mandate area (the Niger-Delta region).

THE road, after completion would definitely lead to limitless possibilities for growth, development and tremendous socio-economic impact on the communities and the state.

IT is expected to open up their area for development, and make travel from Araromi, in Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State and Akodo in Ibeju-Lekki and other parts of Lagos state relatively easier and faster than it is now.Once this project is completed, the people in the area and its environs can now travel to Lagos by road in less than an hour, as against the usual four to five hours being spent on other roads to Lagos.

IT will also help in the industrialization of  the state, for example, the hidden potentials in the state would come to the fore and investors would tap into them. This will definitely quicken the  industrialization of the state. The resultant effect of it is that it will make the economy to run more efficiently, allowing more goods to be produced and impacting more on the economy. It will no doubt fast track the  sea port being proposed for the area thereby decongesting the ever busy Apapa sea port.

THE road will enhance tourism. The southern side of the state no doubt is well suited for tourism and a well -developed Travel & Tourism industry can improve access to international markets, enhance business relationships, and increase trade opportunities which the state stands to gain.

THE HOPE calls on the state government and NDDC not to allow this project to suffer the fate of other projects in the past which had been  abandoned midway. We also enjoin that they should be thoroughly  monitored while executing it.

WE enjoin the community leaders in the areas to ensure safety of contractors who have been mobilised to site, so that no act will militate against the  smooth take-off, construction and completion of the project. The community has a responsibility to provide  security for the personnel and equipment mobilised to the site as part of their social responsibility.

WE want to commend the NDDC for the counterpart funding of the project and its commitment as  the people of the state would benefit immensely from its partnership with the government.

THE importance attached to the project should continue to stimulate government to monitor  it scrupulously to ensure that it is completed ahead of time and to specification.