President Goodluck Jonathan has said irrespective of parties' affiliation, federal, states and local governments must work together to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
The President made this the remarks when he declared open the reconstruction and expansion works on the 127.6km Lagos-Ibadan dual carriage way sections one and two.
The project, which will cost N167 billion, is to be completed in 48 months. It was jointly awarded to Messrs Julius Berger Plc and Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) Ltd.
Speaking at the event, which took place at the Sagamu interchange section of the expressway, Jonathan said basic infrastructure, particularly roads, whether, they belong to the federal, states or local governments by classification, they are meant for the use and benefit of the generality of all Nigerians.
"All of us belong to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we are free to reside in any part of the country.
"My belief is that, whether a project is delivered by the federal government or the state government or local government, what Nigerians need is basic infrastructure.
"Therefore, good partnering by all the tiers of government, federal states and local governments and good spirited individuals will make us deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.
'And I assure you that we will continue to work together," he said.
The President also said the Lagos-Ibadan dual carriage way, is one of the busiest and most important roads in the country.
Specifically, the President said that with over 250,000 vehicles that ply the road daily, it stands out as the busiest road in Africa.
"The road is an important economic artery that connects the nation's economic nerve centres.
"More than 50 per cent of the economic activities of this country revolve around Lagos and Ogun States, which jointly with Oyo State, host the infrastructure.
"It a major link to the important nerve centres to evacuate goods and ease movement of people.
"The infrastructure is of great socio economic importance, not only to Nigeria but also to the people of Africa," he said.
He said that following the poor state of the road, recurrent fatal accident, unprecedented traffic jams and security breaches, government decided to act, enter into partnership with a private investor to deliver the road.
The president said that after four years of evident non performance by the original private investor, Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited, government, acting in the public interest by terminating the agreement.
"Today am happy to inform you that we are ready to bequeath to Nigerians, a better and more durable road after 35 years when the first construction was made and commissioned in 1978. We are sure, this will alleviate the hardship on millions of the road users.
"This event reflects government's commitment to practically and relentlessly meet the yearnings of people and improve the national transport infrastructure," he said.
President Jonathan charged the contractors to ensure timely completion of the project and appealed to road users to bear with the inconveniences the construction might cause.
He also stated that government had made adequate funding arrangement to see the project through to completion.
Minister of Works, Mike Ononlemenme, in a welcome address, said that the Lagos Ibadan Expressway was constructed between 1974 and 1978 and was among the earliest dual carriageways in the country.
He said that the expressway is a major highway in the South-West geopolitical zone which connects, Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States to other parts of the country.
"The road is a major artery that connects, Lagos, the economic nerve centre of the nation and the most Nigerian sea ports, to other states of the federation.
"At the regional level, It is a section of trans sahara highway that links Lagos on the Atlantic Ocean to Algiers on the Mediterranean sea.
"The road is therefore of great-economic importance not only to Nigeria but the sub-region at large," he said.
Also present at the event were Ogun Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, his predecessor, Gbenga Daniel, the Deputy Governors of Lagos, Oyo, Osun and Ondo States, Ministers, and traditional rulers.
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