Emanuel Thomas
June 19, 2015 – Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has directed that a paedestrian bridge be constructed along the Lagos Ibadan Expressway at Ojodu-Berger to ease traffic in the area and save lives.
Scores of people have been killed and others maimed in the process of crossing the expressway on foot at that point.
But Ambode said enough is enough and has approved that work should start on the Pedestrian Bridge at Berger. The governor made the remarks during his visit to major traffic points in Lagos state.
“We have seen that Berger needs a foot bridge and immediately the engineers are going to go to work and we make sure that we put something there. We don’t want any traffic on that highway, so we are already thinking of additional solution to allow vehicles to extend outside of the highway.
“That’s an engineering work and it’s already been considered. In addition to the footbridge, we would do that and we would also make that road be free at all times”, he said as a way of curbing perennial traffic congestion on the axis.
He said that what government has done is to show that they are greatly concerned about the traffic gridlock that the state has been experiencing in the last few months.
“It’s not enough for us to stay in the office and believe that we can create solution to the traffic challenge that we have in the state. So, we decided that we are going to go round ourselves and see how we can improve on the traffic situation in Lagos. We have been to 3rd Mainland, Oworonshoki, Ketu, Abule-egba, Alimosho and then we’ve gone to Mile 12.
“That’s not the end of the story. We’re still going to Apapa, Mile 2. The truth is that we must start to have solution to our traffic challenges in the state and that is what we are doing”, he said.
Also speaking during the visit, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mr. Oluseyi Coker said that the governor has directed relevant agencies to ease traffic congestion in the state.
“So we are assuring that very soon from today, we are going to have some improvement on Lagos roads and that is what we have done. You can see that at all the points he came down himself to see and pointed to situations, asked questions, he allowed everyone to contribute to the debate and we are going back to look on paper and he has given us time to present it to him. Very soon, we would begin to see some improvement”, he assured.
Also speaking, General Manager, Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Engr. Ayotunde Sodiende said the governor has made provision for fund to enable the agencies move in to work on inner roads that are in bad shape.
“ We are going to work, as from Monday. We would not work during the day so that we would not obstruct traffic, we would work during the night and we have a lot of gang that would handle all these situations. Very soon, you would see us in action and you would see what they call a new face of Public Works. Lagos roads will be free and motorable”, he assured.
