LAGOS—President Muhammadu Buhari is billed to commission three helicopters purchased by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration as part of efforts to beef up security in the state.

Meantime, the state government has disclosed plans to rehabilitate 189 identified deplorable roads, including the Ilasa-Ijesha bus stop, along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

General Manager, Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Engr. Ayo Shodeinde disclosed this yesterday, at Aluasa, Ikeja, while giving highlights of the state government’s efforts in the area of road infrastructural upgrade in the last six months.

Buhari, who will be visiting Lagos officially for the first time since his inauguration, will be handing over the helicopters to the police authorities for immediate operation.

Shodeinde, while giving the update on the total number of roads rehabilitated so far, explained that Ambode has approved rehabilitation of 189 new roads across the state.

He added that despite the N52 billion being owed the state for the total number of federal roads fixed in the past, the state government since June 15, 2015, had rehabilitated 282 roads, “while 189 new roads have been listed for rehabilitation and construction work will soon commence.”

“When the Federal government repays us the debts, we will be able to rehabilitate more roads in the state.” Shodeinde said.

One of the deplorable roads listed for rehabilitation, Shodeinde said is the Ilasa-Ijesha Bus stop, along Apapa Oshodi Expressway which has recently turned into nightmare to motorists.

A survey conducted by Nigeria’s online vehicle marketplace, Carmudi.com has shown that Nigeria is the most expensive country to buy a car when compared to its neighbouring West African countries. The study which focused on the used car model manufactured between 2008 and 2013 provided insights into the price difference across some of the surveyed countries in West Africa.

According to the study, Nigeria is the most expensive country to buy a car in Western Africa, with an average price of $19,547 dollars which is about N3.9 million while that of Senegal and Ghana are about $18,923 and $17,654 respectively. From the studies, Nigeria, Senegal and Ghana rank the top three in most expensive countries to buy a car.

The study noted that in 2013, Nigeria imported more than 500, 000 unit of cars, 75 per cent of which were used cars. Although the number of used cars imported in 2014 and 2015 reduced, Nigerians surveyed in the study agreed it was because of the increase in custom tariff rather than availability of locally manufactured cars.

The study however revealed that despite being the most expensive country to buy a used car in West Africa, Nigeria still has a high demand for cars. It noted that even though the middle class has grown three times larger in the last decade and a half, very few brand new cars have been purchased.

Carmudi pointed out that one of the difficulties Nigerians experience in the purchase of brand new cars is the lack of vehicle financing options as finance institutions give car loans with very high interest rates.

Speaking on the findings, Managing Director of Carmudi Nigeria, Amy Muoneke called for affordable loan options to aid people who wish to own locally manufactured cars.

She said: “Aside from car pricing, the actual car purchasing experience can also be improved by new car browsing and sales platforms. Websites and mobile apps like Carmudi enable buyers to access a wider range of vehicles available in their home country and make educated choices on their purchases. With such presence we see not only more activity throughout Africa, but also buyers being able to look for the best deal and easily compare prices.”