Firm brings joy to Apapa residents, others

Firm brings joy to Apapa residents, others

By Our Reporter  on December 4, 2015   National
.Invests N1bn on roads
By Zika Bobby
IN recent times, business owners, commuters, car owners, workers and residents alike have had to endure untold hardship as a result of the perennial gridlock in the Apapa-Ijora axis of Lagos. The perpetual traffic crisis is usually caused by high in- flux of container-laden trucks moving in and out of the ports as well as petroleum tankers, moving products from terminals to various parts of the country. This situation is further compounded by the terrible state of roads in that axis which has often resulted in numerous cases of fallen trucks.
This situation has not only brought about physical and emotional strain on ndividuals, it has also caused the loss of man-hours and reduced productivity within the workplace. The socio-economic impact has also been immense, as most business owners have suffered huge losses due to low patronage.
Miscreants also take advantage of these chaotic situations to dispossess unsuspecting commuters of their belongings, adding to the trauma experienced during their commute to and from work.
To alleviate this hydra-headed traffic situation, most organisations within the Apapa-Ijora access road, especially the Marine Beach Community, have worked with a task- force comprising the Navy and the Army to support the government in instituting palliative measures that would aid the free-flow of traffic within this axis.
One company that has taken steps to contribute its quota to resolving this challenge is Oando PLC, through its marketing subsidiary. The company moved its corporate office to its operational base within the Marine Beach community two years ago and decided to embark on an infrastructural development of its marshalling yard. The company also embarked on the rehabilitation of a 250 metre-long Sapara Road; an inner access road linking Kayode Street and Mobil Road as well as other adjoining streets. It was an intervention that not only ties in with the government’s efforts in easing the traffic congestion around the Ijora axis into Apapa metropolis but also promotes sustainable development within its host community.
Speaking on the development, Mr. Abayomi Awobokun, CEO, Oando Downstream said: “Apapa is one of the foremost, most developed parts of Lagos. It is one of the best- planned neighbourhoods in Lagos, but it has suffered neglect and lost its beauty due to uncomplimentary practices. Oando is thus proud to take the lead in restoring Apapa to its beautiful state through investment in infrastructure that will complement her capacity.”
He added: “Oando Marketing has invested over N1billion on road rehabilitation within the last 12 months and will have invested well over $3 million on the marshalling yards and the road within the next two years.” This investment goes beyond infrastructure, as more jobs will be provided for people in the community and improves the socio-economic status of their families, he stated.
Mr. Yomi Awobokun also spoke on the company’s $150 million in- vestment in its mid-stream jetty, the first of its type in Nigeria due to be commissioned in the next three months. The jetty is expected to sustain the current infrastructural development within the marine beach community and bring significant relief in terms of operations and logistics.
He reiterated that the investment being embarked on within the host community has come on the heels of the enthusiastic support enjoyed with key members of the community: the royalties in Ijora and Marine Beach Community; the military installations, the residents, and other stakeholders.
The traditional ruler of Ijora, Oba Fatai Aromire commissioned the Sapara road, which allows easy access into all the adjoining roads within Marine Beach. In attendance were the Flag Commanding Officer (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Raphael Osondu, Executive Secretary, Apapa-Iganmu LCD, Alhaja Funmilayo Akande and Col. Aliyu Abbas Idris, representatives of Department of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Petroleum Tanker Drivers, Host Community chiefs, Marine Beach, CDA, amongst others.