Pen Cinema flyover to be ready in 10 months, says Ambode

Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday inspected the site of the ongoing construction of the Pen Cinema flyover, assuring that the project will be delivered in the next 10 months.

Ambode, accompanied by key members of his cabinet, said the 1.4km flyover, which will run from Agege down to the Abeokuta Expressway, will be a key intervention strategy by his administration to address the perennial traffic often associated with the area.

Addressing scores of residents who thronged out to catch a glimpse of him, Ambode said though the project might bring about some inconveniences, he assured them that the end result will change the face of Agege forever.

“I have always wanted to do something in this community, I want to reduce the sufferings that arise from the traffic congestion in this neighbourhood, so I have decided to do the Pen Cinema Flyover starting from the beginning of this road by Total up to the Abeokuta Expressway.

“But you can see that I have inconvenienced you by the demolition that has taken place here. It is temporal. In the next 10 months by the grace of God, we will deliver this project by November 2018,” he said.

Appealing to residents and community leaders to cooperate with the contractor ahead of the planned closure of some parts of the road from Thursday, January 4, Ambode assured residents whose properties were demolished to give way for the project would be adequately compensated.

Earlier, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr. Ade Akinsanya, while giving a brief of the project said on completion, it would permanently address the gridlock in the Agege axis.

Akinsanya said the planned restriction of movement will enable the contractor take full advantage of the weather and space to deliver seamlessly the critical aspect of the flyover construction that falls within the Pen Cinema roundabout and railway crossing at Old Abeokuta Road junction.

Ambode also inspected the ongoing construction of the Oshodi Transport Interchange, which is expected to be delivered by July 2018. The project, on completion, will create a worldclass central business district with focus on transportation, security, environment and urban renewal.