By Fatimah Hassan, Editorial Assistant
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has advised passengers travelling through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos to leave their homes early, to meet up their flight schedules following likely traffic gridlock due to the road construction along the airport axis.
The Authority appeals to passengers to ensure they leave their homes early to enable them get to the airport in good time and go through all check in formalities with ease.
The statement signed by General manager Corporate Communications, Henrietta Yakubu reads, “We apologise for the inconveniences being encountered by passengers due to the situation, the Authority has already mobilized security agencies to ensure that the situation is effectively managed.”
Recall, in September 2017, Lagos State Government, commenced the reconstruction of a 10-lane Oshodi-International Airport Road, with a pledge to complete the project within the next 15 months to transform the entire axis and make it worthy of a major gateway access road.
The state government took it upon itself to undertake the reconstruction of the road, being one of the busiest roads in the state with vehicular volumes average of 50,000 vehicles daily.
As at then, the State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr Adebowale Akinsanya said, “To fast-track the project, three groups of workers will work on the project and they will work day and night, while upon completion, the project will be linked to the Oworonshoki Reclamation Project, which is also ongoing.
“There will be some minor inconveniences, but we are going to mitigate the impact. The work will be accelerated.
“The project is to make life easier for everybody. We just want to appeal to people to cooperate with us.
“We will be here to talk to the people in case of any issue, and we are also working with our partner, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),” Akinsanya said.
The project would be executed in phases, while motorists would make use of other sections of the road during construction work on a particular section.
The project designs include reconstruction and expansion of the existing carriage to a three-lane expressway on both directions, construction of a two-lane service roads in both directions.
There are construction of a Ramp Bridge to provide a U-turn from Ajao Estate to Airport, construction of a flyover at NAHCO/Toll Gate and drainage works.
Others include the removal of existing Pedestrian Bridge at Ajao Estate and construction of Pedestrian Bridges at Ajao Estate and NAHCO/Hajj Camp, construction of Slip Road to provide access to Ajao Estate, construction of Lay-bys and installation of street lights.
