Unfinished projects, unfulfilled pledges as 2024 ends

Lagos State government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has consistently articulated a vision of progress for the state, with bold promises to elevate developments to great heights.

This is why the state government under Sanwo-Olu since 2019 has embarked on several landmark projects with some slated for commencement or completion in 2024. Yet, as the year comes to a close, some of these key developments remain in various stages of progress—or incomplete altogether.

Although it is not all negative as some projects that started this were completed with some that were promised this year delivered. For instance, the first phase of the Lagos Red rail line was not only commissioned this year, the flag off of the commercial operation of the red rail was also done this year.

However, some of the projects that the Lagos State governor promised would be completed this year or work will commence include the Fourth Mainland Bridge, the Lekki Regional Road, Massey Children Hospital and Lekki International Airport, Opebi Link Bridge.

Lagos State government has been on the Fourth Mainland Bridge for some time now but under the Sanwo-Olu administration, there was a great shift towards executing the project with a promise that the groundbreaking for the construction will commence in 2024 but it has not.

Also, the Lekki Regional Road construction was flagged by the Sanwo-Olu administration in May 2020 with a 24 months completion date but as 2024 ends, the road has not been completed.

Similarly, the groundbreaking for the construction of the Massey Children Hospital was done in April 2021 with a 24-month completion time frame. However, the governor during his last inspection of the project site gave a new completion date of 2025.

Another iconic project that Lagos is looking forward to execute is the Lekki International Airport. The state government has been on the project for sometime now and the Sanwo-Olu also made bold steps to achieving its realisation. When in October 2022, Sanwo-olu received the approval letter for the construction of the airport from the Federal Government, he promised work would start in 2023, but as 2024 ends, residents are looking forward to the project starting and then completion.

Another ongoing project that Lagos State promised will be delivered this year is the first phase of the Old Ojo Road in Amuwo-Odofin Local Council. The project is still ongoing as the year 2024 comes to almost a close.