Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said that about N1 trillion is needed yearly to address the deficit in road construction in the state.
Ambode who revealed this in Oshodi-Isolo while commissioning some roads constructed by his administration across the 20 local government areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), said indigenous contractors were engaged for the projects not only to boost employment but also encourage the local construction industry to grow.
The governor represented by the state’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Ganiyu Johnson at the commissioning of Kalejaiye Street assured residents that any mistake committed by the indigenous contractors in the course of the project would be addressed, adding that the construction of the inner roads was in response to the yearning of the people.
“We have to encourage our indigenous contractors because whether we like it or not, that is the one of the ways to generate employment and when we engage them, there will be money in the circulation,” he said.
“We are challenging them to do their best and as government we don’t want to shy away from mistakes. If they (indigenous contractors) make mistakes, we also try to correct and encourage them. We are learning, it is a learning process and with time, I believe they will get there.”
Corroborating Johnson, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Seye Oladejo said Nigeria can overcome the current recession if more local contractors are engaged for developmental projects.
Oladejo expressed optimism that if the roads are properly maintained, it would boost socio-economic activities and increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the council area.
