Ayodele Olalere
The Lagos State Government, on Wednesday, begun the construction of the New Massey Children’s Hospital, Adeniji Adele. The hospital, when completed, is expected to be the largest in West Africa.
The hospital is a 7-Storey, 150-bed General Hospital. The hospital was established in 1914 as the First General Outpatient Clinic and Referral Centre in Lagos State, but was converted to a full-fledged Pediatrics Hospital in 1961.
At the flag-off ceremony of the construction of the hospital, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said construction of the hospital is part of his Greater Lagos Vision.
For easy access to the hospital when completed, the governor also flagged off
reconstruction of three strategic roads: Adeniji Adele, Oke Popo and Tapa Streets.
“The construction of the New Massey Children’s Hospital reflects our unwavering determination to bridge all gaps in the health sector while the reconstruction of three major roads on Lagos Island demonstrates this administration’s commitment to an inclusive and non-discriminatory developmental agenda for Lagos State.
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“Both projects affirm our commitment to the social contract we signed with Lagosians on May 29, 2019.
”We are honoured by the trust reposed in us and we will continue to seek new opportunities to respond to the infrastructure needs of Lagosians,” Sanwo-Olu said at the ceremony.
“As a responsive government, we identified the inadequacy of Massey Children’s Hospital to continue to meet the needs of a megacity with a population of 22 million people.
“As a result of the steady and increasing number of patients who daily throng the hospital to access medical services, the capacity has been overstretched and must be urgently upgraded to provide quality service to patients.
“We are rebuilding, remodeling and repositioning the Massey Children’s Hospital into a 7-Storey, 150-bed, ultra Modern and fit-for-purpose Paediatrics Programmed and Emergency General Hospital.
“On completion, the hospital will provide secondary integrated care services and acute care to both inpatients and outpatients in line with international best practices.”
While speaking on the reconstruction of the roads, Governor Sanwo-Olu said Adeniji Adele, Oke Popo and Tapa Streets “are being reconstructed as part of the Lagos Island Area North Action Plan, a regeneration project.”
“The choice of the reconstruction and upgrade of Adeniji Adele and Oke Popo/ Tapa Streets to kick-start Phase 1 of the Regeneration Plan was informed by two factors. The first factor is the economic importance of these roads and the high level of traffic they convey while the second factor is the complementary value these roads will add to the New Massey Children’s Hospital.
When completed, the newly upgraded roads will improve road connectivity, unlock the perennial traffic gridlock in this area with resultant reduction in travel time, eliminate the perennial flooding often experienced in this area, enhance property values and further improve business and economic activities on Lagos Island.”
The projects, when completed “will positively impact the lives of the good people and residents of Lagos State including those who work and do business on this part of Lagos Island.
“The new and well-equipped Massey Children’s Hospital will also help to engender significant reduction in infant and maternal mortality.”
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According to the governor, other roads to be reconstructed in the area includes; Idumagbo Avenue, Ojo Giwa Street, Swamp Street, and Anikantanmo Street as well as the popular Pelewura Market amongst others.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said in the last two years, his administration has “completed, commissioned, and handed over a total of 51 road projects and several other improved junctions, while there are more than 50 others at various stages of completion.
“This is in addition to the routine maintenance of over 632 roads (approximately 192km of direct intervention) in the form of palliative work on strategic roads; Complete and Sectional Overlay and Potholes Patching, by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation.”
