Mixed reactions trail ongoing Lagos/Badagry road project

As expansion and reconstruction work on the Lagos-Badagry expressway progresses, some residents and road users have expressed mixed reactions to the ongoing project.

While some road users have expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, and the prospect of a stress-free drive on the road, some traders in the area are lamenting the demolition of their business premises which are said to be on the project’s right of way.

The residents expressed their concerns in interviews with our reporter on Monday in Lagos.

Mr Festus Ugwu, a road user, expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of the work.

“The progress of work so far is encouraging, and most of us are eagerly waiting for its completion.

“The Lagos state government is displaying so much commitment to complete this project, and that is very encouraging.

“You can see, they are already working at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, and this is commendable.”

Similarly, another road user, Tola Abraham, also commended the pace and quality of work on the road.

“Though government had allowed the road to deteriorate so badly, the progress of work I am seeing is comforting.

“We thank God that the job is now going on without interruption, and I can imagine the relief it will bring to our people in this area when completed,” he said.

Mrs Patricia Kayode, a civil servant, who resides at Ojo, also commended the state government for the work done so far on the road.

“Though the construction work is causing some discomfort, I believe that when completed, the road users will be happy,’’ she said.

However, occupants of make shift business premises on the axis have complained of the demolition of their structures.

“Danjuma Hassan, a trader in used household items at the Alaba International market, lamented the demolition of his stand.

“Well, it is painful that my business platform was demolished, but it was pulled down for developmental purposes, so I cannot complain too much,” he said.

Some other traders in the area also made similar complaints.

Mr Chinedu Uzoechi, an engineer with the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), and a site Engineer for the road project, assured that the road would be completed on schedule.

“The project is in three segments; the first and second segments which cover the stretch between Mazamaza and the Trade Fair complex, is more than 90 per cent completed.

“We are now mainly on the final segment between the Trade Fair and Okokomaiko, where we are working on a comprehensive drainage system.

“With the cooperation we are getting from the Lagos State Government and the pace at which we are working, I am certain that the project will no longer experience any delay,” he said.

The engineer assured that the issue of the military cantonment and the police station that created some delays on the project had been resolved.

He said that the rehabilitation work which would terminate at Afromedia, after Okokomaiko, was scheduled to be concluded by 2019.

“Actually, we experienced some delays at the Ojo military barracks with part of its fence in the right of way and a police station around that area as well.

“The Lagos State Government has successfully resolved these issues with the military and police authorities and soon, those structures will give way, but we have to provide alternatives first.

“The job we are doing now will terminate at Afromedia, near Okokomaiko, and we are scheduled to complete it within the next two years.

“It can, however, be subjected to a review and expansion to Badagry, if government so decides,” he said.

Uzoechi said that the approaching rainy season would not pose much of a problem, adding that it would only delay certain aspects of the job, while work would continue in other aspects of the road.

Our correspondent who visited the road, report that work is almost completed on its first and second segments, which motorists are now using.

Excavation work is being done on the third segment, specifically, at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, just as CCECC officials are working on different portions of the road.