Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola on Wednesday inaugurated the first cable bridge in the country, which will link Lekki and Ikoyi areas of the state.
He said the late President Umar Yar'Adua played a crucial role in the realisation of the project.
The governor said the late President's disposition as a statesman rather than politician, accelerated the completion of the bridge.
He said, "He (Yar'Adua) was in my view, the first builder of this bridge. When the design of the bridge was completed and shown to me, it was obvious that four properties would have to give way at the Ikoyi end. Two of them belonged to the Federal Government and were subjects of litigation between the state and the federal."
The governor said despite apprehension by his cabinet that the project would be scuttled by the government at the centre, he entertained no fear as he approached the late President."
He said, "When I showed him the design in his office in Abuja and told him what we wanted from him, he simply picked up his intercom and invited the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed to join the meeting.
"He told the SGF, 'There is this bridge in conception by the Lagos State Government. It will affect some properties over which we have a dispute with the state government in court, please without prejudice to the outcome of the case, please release the two properties to them. Our political difference cannot stand in the way of our peoples' development.' That was President Yar'Adua as a statesman, not a politician. This was the same President who released our seized fund."
Fashola, who commended Ahmed for implementing the late President's decision on the properties, also thanked those who voluntarily removed their properties to pave the way for the construction of the bridge.
The governor said motorists, who wanted to use the bridge would pay some fees, depending on the category of the vehicles. He added that commercial motorcycles also known as okada; commercial tricycles, trailers and commercial buses would not be allowed on the bridge.
He explained that with the construction of the bridge, traffic bottleneck often experienced in the area would be eliminated, adding that travel times would be greatly reduced.
Fashola, who said his administration was committed to making transport easier in the state, added that construction of other bridges was ongoing in the state.
On the amount to be paid by the motorists, Fashola said, "Users will have to pay a toll each way as follows: Class I saloon car, N250; Mini Vans, SUV and Light Pick Up; N300; non- Commercial buses with maximum seat of 26 persons, N400; motorcycle of 200CC, N100."
