This move, according to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, is in fulfillment of one of his campaign promises of investing massively in the construction of rural roads.

 

Recall that the governor, at the monthly meeting of the Executive Secretaries of the councils, last year, unveiled plans to commence the reconstruction of two roads in each of the councils, mandating council heads to pick roads of their choice, noting that the execution of the project will be left in their care.

 

During the week, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami, while giving the progress report on the projects, said the construction works had commenced simultaneously in the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), as the contractors had been duly mobilised and moved to site.

 

He stated that in executing the projects, the governor has instructed a unique model of 'bottom top' infrastructural development style and an inclusive governance, which involved the Community Development Associations (CDAs) and other relevant stakeholders in the monitoring of the assignments simultaneously.

 

"I have started the monitoring of the road projects three weeks ago and I am happy to inform you that the pace of work in all the councils I visited is highly impressive. The councils I visited include; Ikeja, Ojodu, Agege, Onigbongbo, Orile-Agege, Ayobo-Ipaja, Egbe-Idimu, Agbado-Oke Odo, Alimosho, Ojokoro, Surulere, Coker-Aguda, Itire-Ikate, and Mushin," he said.

 

Folami noted that 30 per cent of the entire cost had been paid to individual contractors as advance payment, adding that the contractors were warned on the need to work according to specifications. He added that though the money were paid directly into the contractors' accounts, he said there is collaboration between his ministry and the Executive secretaries because of the involvement of the CDAs and other stakeholders at the grassroots.

 

He emphasised that Ambode attached great importance to the timely completion of the roads, warning that any contractor that delivered a shoddy job would not only have the contract revoked, but would also be blacklisted.

 

According to him, "the state government will not hesitate to cancel any contract or accept excuses from any contractor for non-performance, for the use of substandard material or if the road project delivered after completion is not up to the expected standard."

 

While stressing that there was need for prudent management of funds by the contractors, Folami implored stakeholders involved in the project to work together, saying, "this present administration is people-oriented government where every Lagosians must be carried along at every point."

 

While noting that the projects would take a period of six months to complete, the commissioner said the time frame is essential because; "They need to work according to specifications, we expect them to construct standard drainage system, standard road construction and electrification. Rushing the work will not be good; we want them to do a thorough work, a robust work that would stand the test of time."

Source : allafrica.com