Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode announced plans for the rehabilitation and construction of 114 interior roads across the state. This project was to show the administration sense of commitment to grass root development and to improve the socio-economic lives of the indigenes. It was estimated at a sum of N19 billion and eventually reduced to N17.5 billion.
Over the years, Lagos has witnessed an increase in traffic congestion, according to the World Bank, there are about 9,100 roads, and expressways in Lagos and about 8 million people travel to work via public transportation plying these routes.
Unfortunately, the roads are too few for the congested city, in addition to this mishap, the open roads are mostly untidy, with the litter clogging the poor drainage systems, these factors compel motorists to drive slowly resulting in a terrible traffic situation.
This project will span across the 20 Local Government areas, with two roads allocated to each LGA. Tracka team assigned two Field Officers to follow up with the road rehabilitation and construction projects, and observed work is ongoing in a large part of the State. This shows the government’s dedication to directly on impact on the people.
In the Month of February, March and April, total number of 97 roads were tracked across 18 Local government areas- (Mushin, Agege, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Amuwo Odofin, Apapa, Epe, Ifako Ijaiye, Ikorodu , Shomolu Alimosho, Badagry, Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Kosofe, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Ojo and Surulere LGA)
Our team observed ongoing work in the some locations with a visible drainage system is in place and slow progress in other visited sites.
If completed, the new roads will ease commuter access to their destinations, promote transportation of goods and improve living conditions. Being the seventh fastest growing city in the world and its vital contribution to the Nigerian economy, the new roads will further boost the developmental goals and drastically cut the number of crimes.
The project has a time frame of six months for completion. However, tracka team observed the Contractors might fail to conclude the road construction before the stipulated time. The quality of the drainage system created at some site looks inferior like the old ones and in some locations, the site appears empty/deserted right after the instalment of the drainage. Nonetheless, it is too early to write off the projects as abandoned.
