IT is commendable that the Federal Government has commenced the rehabilitation of its dilapidated roads and bridges in Lagos State. In view of the deplorable conditions of these roads/bridges, they require urgent remedial attention. Speaking to newsmen on the development in Lagos recently, the Federal Controller of Works in the state, Godwin Eke, reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to make all its roads in Lagos and other parts of the country motorable.
Some of the affected roads/bridges are the Ijora Causeway and Flyover; Funsho Williams Avenue and bridge to Alaka, replacement of one of the expansion joints on the Eko Bridge; Costain Roundabout to Eko Bridge ramp and Costain to Iganmu Bridge.
Also included in the exercise are Carter Bridge Roundabout to LAWMA Junction inwards Eko Bridge bound carriageway; Herbert Macaulay Way from Jibowu Junction to Adekunle Junction; Outer Marina to Ahmadu Bello Way from Apongbon Bridge to Bonny Camp; Falomo Roundabout through Kingsway Road to Osborne Road, Apapa Road to Western Avenue, between Iganmu Bridge ramp and Western Avenue Bridge ramp among others.
Eke also stressed that the remedial works on some of the roads like both carriageways of Apongbon Bridge undulations had been completed while work is in progress on others. He assured that government had plans for other roads that were not captured in the first phase of the rehabilitation work and appealed to residents of the state to exercise patience because the repair work will go round.
We applaud the Federal Government’s effort to repair faulty federal roads and bridges in Lagos State. The repair work ought to have started earlier considering the worsening conditions of these roads and bridges since the capital of the country was moved from Lagos to Abuja, some years ago.
Being a former capital city of the country and now its commercial capital, Lagos roads/bridges deserve better attention from the Federal Government than they are presently getting. The infrastructure needs of Lagos State should not be left for the state to cope with alone.
In fact, Lagos State deserves special consideration in the federal budget to maintain the federal infrastructure in its domain. Moreover, Lagos is a gateway state to the country. Most visitors and investors come through Lagos State.
For us to attract much direct foreign investments, the roads/bridges in Lagos must be put in good shape. Besides Abuja and Lagos, we must start thinking of developing other cities in all the six geo-political zones that will boost commerce and tourism.
It is good that the Federal Government has plans as well to repair all broken federal roads/bridges across the country. Let this not end as mere government pronouncement. It should be backed by action. The repair work must be professionally done to make these roads and bridges more durable. Those in charge of the rehabilitation of these roads/bridges should supervise and monitor them carefully. Beyond causing traffic congestion, bad roads contribute to economic losses through loss of man-hour that ought to have been deployed to productive ventures.
We call on government at all levels to ensure that their roads are good. Good rural roads will enable farmers evacuate their farm produce to the cities. Outside roads, government must begin to give priority attention to railways and ensure that all the 36 state capitals and notable cities in the country are linked by rail system of transportation.
We strongly believe that this will stimulate economic activities and ensure development across the country. With time, all the 774 local government headquarters will also be linked by rail for ease of movement of people and goods across the country. Developing the railways and the waterways transportation will considerably reduce the pressure on roads and make them last.