The Lagos State Government has adopted a new system of fixing deplorable roads in the state.


In recent months, some residents have expressed displeasure over the state of roads across the metropolis, which prompted PUNCH METRO to do two-series story on the deplorable conditions of the roads.




But due to the negative publicity that the stories generated, the state government has now come up with a new integrated approach to rehabilitating existing roads.


Under the new approach, three critical agencies of the government are now involved in the rehabilitation and management of the roads simultaneously. They are the Lagos Public Works Corporation, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority.


PUNCH METRO gathered that the idea was to ensure that the three institutions would complement one another.


The Executive Chairman, LPWC, Mr. Gbenga Akintola, said, “Essentially, the ‘zero tolerance for potholes and craters’ programme embarked upon by the government can only be meaningful if the three organisations work hand-in-hand with one another.”


Findings show that work has begun on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, part of Agege Motor Road, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway (Lagos end) and Ikorodu Road, as well as some neighbourhood roads.


It was gathered that under the new approach, asphalt would no longer be used to patch roads that are susceptible to flood, but instead, interlocking stones are now being used, while roads that are prone to erosion and flooding will now have stone base, with fibre mat laid underground to prevent early deterioration.


Akintola said, “Based on the expert advice, and the current engineering practices in road management, some identified spots will require different materials. Indeed, there is no excuse for waiting for favourable weather before embarking on road maintenance.


“The mandate from Governor Babatunde Fashola is that, as much as possible, all roads in Lagos must be in a better state.”


Some of the residents, who spoke with our correspondent, advised the government not to wait till the roads become impassable before embarking on their rehabilitation, noting that a routine maintenance programme should be put in place to ensure all-year round management of road infrastructure.


Mr. Musibau Adeagbo, a resident of Ijeshatedo said, “The governor should direct the relevant agencies of government to evolve an all-year road maintenance programme.


“He should also look with pity on the suburbs instead of concentrating on the highbrow areas of the metropolis because most roads in the suburbs are in an appalling condition.”


A resident of Idimu, Mr. Kayode Odugbesan, lamented the deplorable state of roads in Isolo-Ikotun axis, saying that plying the road was stressful.


He said, “People who stay around here have been suffering. To get out of Idimu through Isolo in the morning is hellish. The stress is even more when returning in the evening because from Iyana Isolo to Idimu, it takes an average of two and half hours to get home, a distance that should not take more than 10 minutes ordinarily.


“The slow pace of construction work on the Jakande Estate Road has compounded the problem because all vehicles going into the estate and those coming out are forced to use one lane, and the lane is in a shambles.”


Another resident of the area, who declined to give his name, urged the state government to compel the local government and local council development authorities to compliment its efforts by taking care of roads within their domain.


“It is only when this is done that what the state government is doing at present can be meaningful,” he added.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011303391562

Who says Criticism is not working? 
And Saharareporters finally put the nail in the coffin!

I love SaharaReporters. They understand that the media cannot be too buddy buddy with gov't. The media is supposed to be the watchdog of the public.

@na2day!:

Who says Criticism is not working? 
And Saharareporters finally put the nail in the coffin!

Abi oo!!!

The media, especially when they are not compromised, is a veritable tool to put governments at all levels on their toes in order to deliver their promises to the people. All over the advanced world, a free and robust press is a feature of their lives.

The new method of using paving stones to patch roads is good. however if not done well its rubbish, eg. one done in ogba area, once it started raining the stones started swimming in the water as they had become loose.

moreover has anyone noticed that while driving on ikorodu road, the road isnt straight at all. has a funny structure dat when driving you have to hold firmly to the steering as its full of bumps and not smooth.

whatever

At least I like Fashola for this, critism and the media has promted him to do something. There are many governors who dont give a damn and will pretend as if they dont hear what the people are saying.

DapoBear:

I love SaharaReporters. They understand that the media cannot be too buddy buddy with gov't. The media is supposed to be the watchdog of the public.

Please explain  - cause SH Reporter have not written anything on Lagos  - I assume you are refering to the recent encounter with BRF

Nice development. Hope the relevant agencies followup religiously

tokunbobo:

At least I like Fashola for this, critism and the media has promted him to do something. There are many governors who dont give a damn and will pretend as if they dont hear what the people are saying.

Everybody is abusing this guy, but honestly i dont give a damn about any Governor including Fashola cos he is not my family member neither do i take any dime from the incredible wealth accumulated through looting of public funds, which is off course a "normal thing"in the Nigerian context. However, let's give it to this guy, he is trying. He is probably the only goal oriented and most acheived Governor in Nigeria. Other Governor should come and emulate what he is doing in Lagos State. Lots of you guys insulting him on post cannot do a tip of what he has achieved for lagos state. We never appreciate what we have until that thing is gone.

Fashola is also repairing the road to my house, kai, that road has caused me several shocks and stabilizers, can he please extend it to my estate as well (afterall he is collecting tenement rate)

blacksta:

Please explain  - cause SH Reporter have not written anything on Lagos  - I assume you are refering to the recent encounter with BRF

It was more of a general comment, not really specific to this particular post or Lagos. I just prefer the take-no-prisoners style of SR to the sycophantic approach taken by some other papers.

I salute the courage of the governor but the sad reality is that you can commit the whole budget of Lagos for the next ten years to road repairs and still not accomplish anything. Very few people realise that Lagos is a city out of economic control. The economy simply cannot sustain its inhabitants and its inherited infrastructure. The Federal Government has simply left an elephant and  given Lagosians a bag of nuts to feed it with. If tomorrow the FCT is stable and made a state who will maintain the massive interchanges and eight lane boulevards that have been built.

This is why Abuja like Lagos will become a future slum if our government continues to modernise without getting the economic balance right. The economies I speak of are people not places and things. If people remain poor how do they pay for the stuff they use (roads inclusive). Daily thousands of people move around the city not really contributing positively to its economy but seeking a means of survival. Thus infrastructure is not optimally utilised. How would the roads not go bad quickly.

It is another reason that I have never been in support of the creation of new state capitals or new territories because I believe they are artificial, unsustainable and economically disconnected from their inhabitants. People will build slums, tap electricity, clog gutters and ruin roads no matter what you legislate if they simply cannot afford better. So while we need infrastructure to prosper (comprehensively), we need to prosper to have and sustain the environment and infrastructure we have in particular.

Now by simply analogy if you equate two negatives you may end up with a positive. If you need good roads and you have a teeming unproductive populace why not engage the people directly in providing infrastructure. This is what most countries (who have passed through difficulties) have done. America during the great recession comes to mind. You pay people directly for the work (not bureaucratic engagement) while eliminating capital flight and minimising the corruption that comes from contracting. You get more value for your lean purse, the people are empowered and best of all they begin to appreciate what it takes to create and sustain their own prosperity.

Most who argue against this often wave the socialist or high tech card. They say we need capitalism and enterprise. Why should uneducated rough necks command the repair of roads, rail lines and airports. Yes capitalism could create wealth in good times but worldwide the people take charge to fill the gaps when capital is short or has failed completely.

I will also say two things in response. If we cannot do it we probably do not need it. Two if we cannot do it how will we ever appreciate and preserve it when it is done.

Where have all our "Fashola-Warriors gone"? It's been weeks

GOOD ONE HERE I THINK WE TOO ARE DOING GREAT,BY DISCUSSING THESE ISSUES, WELL I WILL LIKE TO INVITE FORUMITES TO A SIMILAR WEBSITES LIKE THIS(acknowledgement to every NAIRALANDERS AND SEUN OSEWA) WHERE WE DISCUSS TRAFFIC ISSUES IN LAGOS STATE AND SUGGESTING POSSIBLE WAYS IT CAN BE HANDLED, ITS CALLED

                   www.lagostrafficwahala.com

THERE ARE SO MANY ISSUES YOU CAN POST AND DISCUSS ON THIS SITE, e.g YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH TRAFFIC MANAGERS, LASTMA, POLICE, V I O e t c,

  THERE ARE DIFF.SECTIONS THAT YOU CAN ALSO DISCUSS ISSUES OF BAD ROADS IN YOUR AREA AND OTHER PARTS OF LAGOS STATE AND EXPECT QUICK AND POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM STAKEHOLDERS ON TRAFFIC ISSUES IN LAGOS STATE, BECAUSE THE SITE HAS BEEN LINKED TO THEM. Thank you

I think that no matter how much Lagos' infrastructure is improved, the sheer number of people in Lagos will inevitably cause some infrastructural problems. Because of this, I think that during all those investment expositions and stuff that Lagos does, Lagos should also dedicate a small amount of time to advertising its neighbor, Ogun, as to create economic opportunities in Ogun and allow some Lagosians to leave Lagos and go to Ogun instead.

@@@@@@@@@@@

what

patching up pot holes right

MShittu:

I think that no matter how much Lagos' infrastructure is improved, the sheer number of people in Lagos will inevitably cause some infrastructural problems. Because of this, I think that during all those investment expositions and stuff that Lagos does, Lagos should also dedicate a small amount of time to advertising its neighbor, Ogun, as to create economic opportunities in Ogun and allow some Lagosians to leave Lagos and go to Ogun instead.

This is one of the most sensible suggestions I have heard about how to manage the Lagos population time bomb and infrastructure nightmare. Our problem in Nigeria always comes down to lack of strategic planning and putting the cart before the horse. If you put 50 people in a house designed for 5 people you would always have problems no matter how well the house is designed. For goodness sake the house may even collapse on day because of the pressure on its load bearing structures. This is more or less what is happening in Lagos right now and that is why new industries and economic opportunities have to be created in other parts of the country to take the pressure off Lagos. This is not rocket science but it takes a lot of planning, commitment and co-ordination which unfortunately is lacking in most of our leaders. One way to attract new businesses away from Lagos would be for neighbouring states of Ogun and Oyo to offer tax breaks and incentives for them to set up in those states. The Federal government can also chip in by setting up a PPI infrastructure fund to build housing estates, roads and railways in those states in other to make them more business friendly and improve their transportation links with other parts of the country. If more jobs are created in these areas there will be less need for people to come to Lagos from their towns and villages in the hinterland.

MShittu:

I think that no matter how much Lagos' infrastructure is improved, the sheer number of people in Lagos will inevitably cause some infrastructural problems. Because of this, I think that during all those investment expositions and stuff that Lagos does, Lagos should also dedicate a small amount of time to advertising its neighbor, Ogun, as to create economic opportunities in Ogun and allow some Lagosians to leave Lagos and go to Ogun instead.

wise words bro

The roads are still terrible sha. God help us.

I think that no matter how much Lagos' infrastructure is improved, the sheer number of people in Lagos will inevitably cause some infrastructural problems. Because of this, I think that during all those investment expositions and stuff that Lagos does, Lagos should also dedicate a small amount of time to advertising its neighbor, Ogun, as to create economic opportunities in Ogun and allow some Lagosians to leave Lagos and go to Ogun instead.

yes we know that but overcrowding or not let there be good roads that enables free movement of the motorist instead then u could talk on

people pay taxes u know!!

let there be no excuses anymore cuz Beijing is even more over crowded still pertain good roads

he is trying

am not a engineering head but i kinda wanna ask, why arent they just rebuilding ALL the roads (whenever they get to building them/repairing them) with this interlocking stones technology?

i ask cuz to my mind the roads done in this way, the adeola odeku's, VI roads, last longer than the useless 1 mm asphalt they keep rolling on red earth roads.

and i do seem to believe they are much easier to repair!!


if they are actually serious about the costs of building and maintaining this roads, they should be looking at this!.

those asphalt roads are simply a waste of time and money. you need to compare the quality and thickness of the asphalt of the older roads i.e ikorodu road, with the new rubbish they make these days.

Eko o ni baje ooooooooo

k

Nonsense propaganda,now ecery1 is looking for a second term

@@@@^^^

na lie

Fashola is making progress.

BULL CRAP !80% OF ROADS iN THE iNNE R CiTiES OF LAGOS ARE AN EYESORE!
LET FASHOLA TELL US WHY HiS GOVERNMENT iS FOR THE RiCH ALONE TARRNG ALL THE F.UC.KiNG ROADs ON V/I,LEKKI,, ETC and only express roads then leaving the slums to be what they are, SLUMS!
Pitiful,

blackcypha:

BULL CRAP !80% OF ROADS iN THE iNNE R CiTiES OF LAGOS ARE AN EYESORE!
LET FASHOLA TELL US WHY HiS GOVERNMENT iS FOR THE RiCH ALONE TARRNG ALL THE F.UC.KiNG ROADs ON V/I,LEKKI,, ETC and only express roads then leaving the slums to be what they are, SLUMS!
Pitiful,

Simply because those in these cities are the most attractive points in Lagos state, also they are the economic cities of the state. Gradually the development will come down the chain.

k