President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the newly reconstructed Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota-Oshodi Expressway, a vital 36.02km stretch that connects Nigeria’s premier ports, Apapa and Tin Can Island, to the broader Lagos State.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Gbagada section of the expressway, also included a virtual unveiling of the rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge.
The president, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, emphasised the economic significance of the expressway, stating that it would greatly enhance access to the ports, boost commercial activities, and spur economic development.
“This is a great feat by any standards, and it is all for Nigeria,” Akpabio said, congratulating the Ministry of Works and the contractors for their exemplary work.
Originally built between 1975 and 1978, the Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway had deteriorated significantly over the years, causing severe delays in the transportation of goods from Apapa Wharf.
The road’s reconstruction, executed by Dangote Industries Limited using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) and subcontracted to Hitech Construction Nigeria Limited, marks a significant improvement in infrastructure.
The Third Mainland Bridge, the longest of three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, also underwent significant rehabilitation to enhance its structural integrity and extend its lifespan. Spanning 11.8km, the bridge was initially commissioned by President Shehu Shagari in 1980 and completed by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1990.
Minister of Works Engr. David Umahi highlighted the use of concrete technology in the road’s construction, citing its durability and cost-effectiveness compared to bitumen. He also detailed the extensive repairs on the Third Mainland Bridge, which included replacing all expansion joints and addressing long-term structural issues.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Dr. Yakubu Kofarmata, announced that President Tinubu had directed the completion of the Abuja-Kano Road within a year and assured that other federal road projects were progressing. He noted that the Minister of Works had saved Nigeria N1.19 trillion through renegotiation of road project costs.
Dr. Femi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, expressed gratitude for the project’s completion, noting that it had reduced travel time from seven hours to one hour and fifteen minutes.
“We are grateful to Mr. President, the Ministry of Works, Dangote Group, and Hitech Construction Limited for the current state of the road and the Third Mainland Bridge,” Hamzat stated.
This infrastructural development is a key component of President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s infrastructure and boosting economic growth.
