It is a refreshing notion that Akin Ambode the current governor of Lagos State is very hard working and focused, that’s a statement of fact. Some people said that he is one of the best governors in the state after Lateef Jakande, having out-performed his protege Tinubu and has dusted Fashola record. Ambode can categorically be called a man that seems to know his onions. How he is identifying his onions has been worrying. But, the projects in Lagos been commissioned is a factor ,which include the Oshodi, Iyana Ipaja Abeokuta expressway where the amiable governor is hell bent on ensuring that people around that area enjoy top notch modern world class infrastructure.



The Bus Rapid Transportation infrastructure along this corridor is a welcomed development.Though, hurting to drivers and commuters. The Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway way is in a mess and the construction is in a snail pace, making commuters like us to wonder if this is punishment or development.



In developed climes, constructions like this are quickened and made fast by working 24 hours and 7 days of the week. But, on a closer observation, the construction company handling the Lagos – Abeokuta BRT corridor goes to sleep when we go to sleep. They part when we party and they resume when we resume. Apart from Saturday, they don’t work on Sunday and they close during the normal working times. I am thinking that they are “believing and rented” construction firm that believes in the Lord’s injunction “Thou shall keep the Sabbath day holy !” And that’s exactly what they are doing ,but what about working late. Even Jesus worked late and had last supper . Does it mean that they have decided to slight the government by discarding the global best practise of working in the night or that they are doing “alaroro” by not wanting to pay workers Over Time. Enterprise Times News engaged one if the workers named withheld, he said that ” if the people want us to deliver on time ,they have to do the needful by ensuring that work is done 24/7 and this requires funding and paying of the staff with security that will be attached ” he said.

As of the time of this report, we can’t lay our hands on the contract and the terms of contract, how much mobilisation have been made and the nature of a contract. But, as it is today, it is hellish and slow.

Traffic builds up has made a lot of people avoid that route and lots of man hours wasted on a few miles road. From Egbeda to Ikeja is less than fifteen minutes drive, but as we stand today, this journey will take not less than an hour and a half to complete…yet the kids are on holidays and schools are not in session. One of the regular commuters of the road ,Mrs Funke Badmus said

” What we are seeing is just a tip of the iceberg, when the schools resume by September, we would see the real traffic jam. Can you believe that from my place in Egbeda to Ikeja I buy about 2,500 Naira worth of fuel for my car. It is madness and unacceptable,” she exclaimed.

This has made the work terribly slow and from the looks of things, it will be a miracle if they can complete this project by Christmas. Will Ambode deliver before Christmas ? Time will tell.

It is believed that the buck stops at Ambode’s table and as a responsible and responsive governor, He must look into the plight of the people living along that corridor. We totally understand that he has the good of Lagos in mind , just like the project he commissioned along that road (Abule Egba Bridge ) we commend him for a great job, but he should command the construction work to follow the best global practise ,which is working at night to alleviate our stress. Passing through that road alone is not only hellish but has the tendency to give us High Blood Pressure, and we know that Ambode won’t like HBP to be a common as common as malaria. A stitch in time saves nine .

https://etimes.com.ng/brt-route-construction-ambode-watching-construction-workers-sleep-us/