By Chukwuma Umeorah
The federal government has pledged to accelerate the completion of critical road projects in Lagos, urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to sustain the state’s support for federal infrastructure initiatives.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, made this pledge during a meeting with Sanwo-Olu in Lagos. Goronyo delivered President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, emphasising infrastructure development as a cornerstone of the administration’s socio-economic agenda. Highlighting the ongoing work on 11 federal road projects in Lagos, he disclosed plans for further expansion to address the state’s infrastructural needs.
“The message from Mr. President is clear: we must take the issue of fixing our national infrastructure very seriously,” Goronyo said. He added that the administration was committed to improving road networks to boost connectivity, economic activity, and overall development.
The minister’s visit was part of his inspection tour of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in the South-West. He cited recently completed projects in Lagos, including the installation of 212 solar-powered streetlights in Isale Eko and the rehabilitation of a 300-metre road in Apapa. These efforts, he said, had enhanced security, eased traffic congestion, and stimulated commercial activities in the areas.
“These projects are part of our commitment to improving connectivity and ensuring smooth transportation across the country,” Goronyo stated. He commended Tinubu’s infrastructure-driven governance model, describing it as transformative in tackling unemployment, insecurity, and poor living conditions.
Governor Sanwo-Olu welcomed the Federal Government’s focus on infrastructure and stressed the need for enhanced collaboration with state authorities. “FERMA is more or less like a household name here in Lagos. That is how we see it, and we have joint responsibility on all of these things,” Sanwo-Olu remarked.
He underscored the vital role of road infrastructure in driving socio-economic progress, noting its direct impact on sectors such as education, healthcare, and commerce. “A well-developed road network not only enhances access to education and healthcare facilities but also drives economic integration, connecting states and fostering regional commerce,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor assured Goronyo of Lagos’s commitment to working with the Federal Government to achieve its infrastructure objectives. “Let them share information, let them share ideas of what the plans are, where they want to go, so that we don’t double efforts in some areas,” he advised.
The meeting reaffirmed Lagos’s strategic importance as a hub for federal infrastructure projects, with both leaders expressing optimism that sustained collaboration will yield tangible benefits for residents and businesses across the state.