Lagos plans to fix roads in Ikeja GRA, residents back the move

The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to fix and upgrade key roads in Ikeja Government Reserved Area (GRA). The roads include Ladoke Akintola, Oladipo Bateye, Tayo Ayeni, Adetunji Adeoba, and Sowemimo roads. This is part of a push to modernise infrastructure in one of Lagos’ upscale residential and administrative areas.

This project is part of a larger effort in Lagos targeting old infrastructure in GRA areas like Ikeja, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island. These areas face heavy traffic and drainage problems, which make regular road maintenance not enough.

The announcement came during a meeting with stakeholders held by the Office of Infrastructure under the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure on Thursday. Residents learned about the project details and the expected disruptions during the construction work.

Olufemi Daramola, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, was represented by Tokunbo Oyenuga, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Infrastructure. He said the work is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to improve key roads and boost connections within urban areas.

He explained that the meeting was important so residents could understand the benefits of the project and the inconveniences they might face during construction. “To ensure a smooth process, the Office of Infrastructure held a stakeholders meeting to allow residents to understand the pains and gains before the end of the project,” Mr Oyenuga said.

He mentioned that the roads would be rebuilt using concrete pavement technology. This is a method the government is using more often on busy roads where asphalt has not held up well under heavy traffic and weather conditions.

Additionally, solar-powered streetlights will be installed along these roads. This will help improve safety and visibility at night. According to Mr Oyenuga, Ikeja GRA roads have changed from quiet residential streets to busier urban routes. This change has put more pressure on the roads, making full reconstruction necessary instead of just repairs.

Mr Oyenuga assured residents that the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure would keep communicating with them throughout the construction. He urged property owners to follow building setback rules and not to block road paths, warning that such actions could complicate the upgrades.

He also asked residents and contractors to work together to ensure the projects are completed on time. The chairman of the Ikeja GRA Residents Association, Muiz Banire, spoke through Ade Atobatele at the meeting. He welcomed the plan, calling it a key step to improving movement and restoring infrastructure quality.

He praised the government for involving residents before the reconstruction but urged them to finish the work quickly to reduce disruptions for homes and businesses. “At the same time, we urge the government to ensure prompt completion of the road projects to minimise the hardship that residents and businesses may experience during construction,” he said. “We assure the government of the maximum cooperation of residents towards the success of the projects.”

The contractors responsible for the projects also promised to deliver on time. They reassured everyone that the improved roads would provide long-term relief for residents and support ongoing growth in the area. Participants at the meeting asked the state government to respond quickly to any concerns raised to help the projects go smoothly.