…Awards Contract to Hitech Construction Company
…It’ll facilitate faster movement of parcels and cargo – Courier operators
Moov Logistics News can confirm that the Lagos State Government has awarded the contract to reconstruct the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road to a world-class access road. The contract which was awarded to Messers Hitech Construction Company Limited is kicking off this June with the erecting of the project sign at the Hajj Camp junction end of the road.
Our correspondent gathered that the road project is a 10-lane carriage way with interchange, flyover, pedestrian bridges, walkways, street lights, horticulture and landscape.
The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, had last Month granted Lagos State Government the permission to embark on a total reconstruction of the International Airport Road from Oshodi as FG’s 50th birthday gift to Lagos state.
A Statement signed by Tunji Bello, secretary to the Lagos State Government, had disclosed the receipt of the Federal Government’s approval, promising to build a world class gateway on the potholed road. The statement also indicated that the approval was a 50th birthday gift to Lagos state.
Indeed, the journey to getting the FG’s approval by Lagos was a long and tortuous one, spanning three administrations of the state.
For many years since the beginning of the new democratic dispensation in Nigeria, Lagos clamored to rebuild the road which has suffered neglect by the Federal Government, arguing that it is the number one gateway into Nigeria that require proper attention. But being in opposition with successive governments at Abuja did not help its case. It became a political rather than a socio-economic issue and politicians across the political divide used it against each other, with the FG doing nothing other than irregular grass cutting and filling of a few potholes. This culminated in media altercation between Abuja and Alausa.
Planet Projects Limited would handle handle the concept and engineering aspect of the project expected to be completed by January 2019.
As a result of the perennial potholes that litter the one kilometer road air travelers, cargo and courier movers as well as commuters who use the access road to and from the airport have had bitter experiences of delays, missed flights and business losses. The successful completion of the road reconstruction by Lagos state will surely improve travel time to and from the international and local airports at Ikeja.
The Association Nigeria Courier Operators (ANCO) hailed the news of the approval given to Lagos state and the award of the contract as one the best things that will help courier and logistics business in the country from 2019 when the reconstruction would have been completed.
National President of ANCO, Mr. Siyanbola Oladapo, in an exclusive interview with Moov Logistics News said, “Lagos State is taking a bold step to rebuild the road, which is very commendable. The new road will eliminate touts and commercial bus operators who misuse the road and make it impassable on a daily basis.”
Oladapo advised that, “Government should see to it that an alternative road is provided during the 18 months period the construction will take, so that it does not add to the challenge cargo movers and other users of the road are already facing.
He advised the government against politicizing the project but to remain focused and deliver on their promise to the Federal government and Lagosians.
