One week after the vacate order issued by the Lagos State government to illegal occupiers, traders and transport unions operating along the Lagos-Badagry road to pave for the commencement of the abandoned road project along the corridor, BusinessDay checks along the corridor reveals that, the directive is yet to be complied with by those concerned.
As at the time of filing this report, our correspondent who drives through the axis everyday can authoritatively report that, there are no signs that, those affected are ready to leave the corridor, suggesting that, maximum compliance can only be achieved with the drastic use of force.
Only last week, Olufemi Salaam the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation had during a press conference on the planned removal of shanties, refuse, vegetal nuisance and enforcement of traffic laws on the Lagos-Badagry road which had for many years become travellers nightmare.
A motorist who spoke to BusinessDay identified some criteria flashpoints on the corridor such the congested Alaba-Rago where there are all manner of trading activities as requiring very urgent attention.
Interestingly, the dreaded Alaba-Rago market is overlooking the Lagos State University, Ojo littered with mountaineous refuse dumps that constitutes a nuisance with threatening health consequences for the University community.
According to the permanent secretary, “It is disheartening to say that the state of the road is that of total lawlessness through the activities of traders who have converted the road into trading centres.
He lamented the Illegal activities of oil barons and gangs, especially at Eric Moore using the corridor as their base; indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the BRT corridors; traffic bottleneck due to activities of some transport unions domiciled on these corridors and total breakdown of the traffic laws of the state.
“Thus, pursuant to the Executive Order, the public is hereby intimated of the plans of the State Government to clean up roads and recover the Rights of Way in these areas. Of equal importance is the environmental regeneration of the entire stretch of the road which has been taken over by shanties, refuse and vegetal nuisances,” he said.
