Deplorable Roads: LASG Commences Palliative Work On Berliet, Ojota, Expressway, Others

Lagos State Government, through the Public
Works Corporation, LSPWC, has commenced
palliative work on major deplorable roads,
including the popular Berliet Bus stop along
Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, and Ojota,
Ikorodu Road, as part of measures to ease movement of traffic. The moves, it was gathered became
necessary, following the effect of torrential
rainfall in the state that left many roads in
deplorable condition, thereby, posing danger to
lives and property of road users. It will be recalled that penultimate weekend, at
Ojota Bus stop, along Ikorodu Road, tragedy
occurred when a containerized truck fell on a
commercial bus killing five people and injured
three other occupants due solely to bad spot
on the road. Also, on daily basis motorists are held up for
several hours in traffic at Berliet Bus Stop
along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. The Special Adviser/Chief Executive Officer,
CEO, on Lagos Public Works to the Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode, during the inspection to
some of the sites at the weekend said the
governor gave the directive to fix the roads as
part of measures to prevent avoidable loss of lives and traffic gridlock. There has been
public outcry over the state of Lagos roads in
recent times resulting in terrible traffic situation
and sometimes loss of lives. Inspite of slight rainfall, men of public works
cooperation were seen at different locations
laying crushed stones on the deplorable roads. He reassured residents of the corporation’s
commitment towards ensuring a pothole free
Lagos during and after the rainy season. According to him, the work is not a one off job
as the corporation would continue to carry-out
periodic maintenance of the road. Sodeinde noted that LSPWC had earlier in
April, 2017, carried out a massive palliative
work on the bad spot at Berliet to ease
vehicular movement before it was degraded
again. “Also, in the second week of April 2016,
another palliative work was carried out with the
spreading of boulders and stone-based
materials on the bad.” He stated. Other dilapidated roads on the list for palliative
are: Lagos-Abeokuta Express road, Agege
motor roads, among others. LASTMA/Police In another development, following reported
persistent harassment and torture of Lagos
State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA,
officials by the Police, Assistant Inspector
General of Police Zone 2, Onikan, Adamu
Ibrahim has warned Police in the state to desist henceforth from such act or be dealt with
accordingly. Ibrahim handed down the warning when the
management of LASTMA paid him a courtesy
visit at his Onikan, Lagos office, weekend. According to him, the Police are trained
professionals that must obey and respect law
of the state, “Therefore any police officer
caught violating the traffic laws, driving on the
Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, dedicated corridor,
intimidating or harassing LASTMA officials should be reported for necessary sanction
against such erring officer(s). Ibrahim, therefore, assured traffic officials of
LASTMA of continued support and
cooperation of the police in the traffic control
and implementation of the Lagos state traffic
laws. The visit to the AIG was in continuation of the
effort of the agency to improve relationship
between Nigerian Police and the LASTMA. Speaking during the visit, the Chief Executive
Officer of LASTMA, AIG Chris Olakpe (Retd),
said the visit was to develop synergy and
bridge the gap between the agency and
Nigerian Police. According to him, “The agency is out to
promote cordial relationship and clear all the
grey areas of misunderstanding between the
two agencies in order to have harmonious
working relationship for the overall progress
and development of Lagos state. “The police support and cooperation are
crucial to the successful implementation of the
state traffic laws. I therefore, call for the
protection of LASTMA officials on duty across
the state, as this will give them more impetus to
perform and serve motorists and commuters better on the road.” Olakpe expressed satisfaction with the
conduct and discipline of policemen on the
roads and urged them to do more for
orderliness to be sustained permanently on
Lagos roads. He advised officers of the Police X-Squad to
always make a recourse to the agency
whenever traffic officials were found wanting
on duty, and assured that such official will be
dealt with in accordance with the extant laws of
the agency and civil service regulations. In his own contribution, the general manager of
LASTMA, Mr. Olawale Musa called for more
police back-up and protection for the agency.
He frowned at instances where police officers
will drive on dedicated BRT corridor. He further
called for more protection and support for traffic officials to manage traffic all the time in
some parts of the state.