As entry points, roads leading to key airports are kept in the best conditions possible as they give the first impression of the country to visitors and investors. Sadly, Nigeria’s case is different.
For decades, the road leading to the Murtala International has been was an eyesore and in perpetual disrepair. It elicited concerns from all quarters and provided uncomplimentary headlines for local and international media.
For air transport passengers using the road, it was always a case of getting stuck in interminable traffic congestion and missing their flights in the process.
For several others, in the bid to keep appointments around the airport precincts, commercial motorcycles (popularly also known as ‘Okada’) became the alternative mode of transportation, thus mocking Africa’s biggest economy as perhaps the only country in the world where air passengers ride on motorcycles into the airport.
Apart from the fact that the two-lane road fell short of the standard expected of an international airport road, it was almost perpetually in darkness as the streetlight poles only stood menacingly to remind users that governments in this part of world cares less about the safety of the citizens and visitors.
Of course, the darkness provided the needed hideout for hoodlums to rob unsuspecting airport travellers and residents of the adjourning Mafoluko settlements. That was the story of the airport road.
Government after government promised to repair and expand the road but all failed, until the current governor of Lagos state decided to act decisively.
Being a federal road, the governor secured the approval of the federal government to redesign and expand the road in June 2017 and eventually flagged off the reconstruction work in September of same year. If all goes well as recently hinted by Adebowale Akinsanya, the Lagos State commissioner for works and infrastructure, the Lagos airport road, which links the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) from Oshodi, will be completed and handed in a couple of months.
Although initially targeted to be delivered in December 2018 as a ‘Christmas Gift’ to Nigerians, issues bordering on relocation of utility facilities had pushed forward the projected completion date.
The road is designed as a six-lane dual carriage expressway (three major lanes on both directions), plus two-lane service roads on both directions. The reconstruction is with a ramp bridge designed to provide a U-turn from Ajao Estate to the airport. Also incorporated is a flyover at NAHCO/tollgate, and drainage works.
The road, which is nearing completion, is also coming with two new pedestrian bridges at Ajao Estate and NAHCO/Hajj Camp, as well as slip road to provide access to Ajao Estate, lay-bys and streetlights to meet required international standards.
The road will also link up with the Oshodi Transport Interchange (OTI), also being constructed by the government, to provide a seamless and stress-free ride for passengers arriving the airport and driving into the commercial city.
Governor Ambode, who undertook an inspection tour of the road and other projects in the state, said his administration took the decision to reconstruct the road because it is one of the busiest roads in the state, with average vehicular volume of 50,000 daily.
According to him, the poor state of the road was not acceptable for the status of the state as the fifth largest economy in Africa and the nation’s commercial hub.
This is commendable. It shows that a determined government can change the narrative of broken and dilapidated infrastructure in the country. We thank governor Ambode for this worthy legacy!
