By an unfortunate political twist, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will not be on the ballot in February as candidates contest for the seat of Governor of Lagos State 2019-2023. His party denied him the opportunity to run for a second term. We empathise with the gentleman. However, we request on behalf of citizens and residents of Lagos that he should brace up and deliver on all outstanding deliverables.
Lagos State failed to deliver no fewer than three critical infrastructure projects at the end of the year. It was unusual. Moreover, the failure is exacting a huge toll on citizens in lost time and inconvenience that ought to have ended for at least two of them. The state must urgently remedy the situation.
Akinwunmi Ambode showed a capacity for execution uncommon with many of his colleagues. He undertook projects with clear timelines and specifications and delivered on them. He earned respect and trust of citizens for this project management capability.
Projects delivered in this way by the Ambode administration included the Jubilee Bridge at Ajah and Abule Egba, the modern and enhanced pedestrian walkways at notably Ojodu-Berger, Ojota and the bus terminals at Race Course and other parts of the city. The projects were utilitarian and improved mobility and access. The pedestrian walkway and bus stop at Ojodu-Berger spoke to a Lagos capable of envisioning a better landscape and delivering on that vision.
Citizens imagine possibilities as they use that multi-point walkway and terminus.
With these projects completed and working, many in the nation’s commercial capital looked forward eagerly to the completion of at least two more priority projects of the Ambode government of Lagos State. These are the much-hyped expansion of the access road from Oshodi to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and the bridge at Pen Cinema, Agege. Both had a completion deadline of December 2018. Then there is the expansion of the Agege Motor Road.
The Oshodi to Airport project is audacious. It measures 5.7kilometres. The key feature is the expansion of the existing carriage to ten lanes including a three-lane expressway in both directions. There would be 20 lay-bys, two service lanes, two flyovers, three pedestrian bridges and walkways. There would be a flyover at NAHCO/Toll Gate and slip road to access Ajao Estate. Street lights would be standard. It had a 15-month timeline to end December 2018. In February 2018, Ambode approved an extension of the work to the Ladipo International Market as well as the construction of a pedestrian walkway at the Toyota Bus Stop on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.
Equally ambitious and desirable is the construction of a flyover and interchange at Pen Cinema, Agege. A 1.43m long bridge with service lane of 2.256m, the bridge design includes a pedestrian bridge across the railway track. The project aimed to reduce the perennial traffic gridlock in that axis, reduce cost on vehicle maintenance and travel time for users as well as enhance safety and socio-economic activities. It was due for December 2018.
We are now in January 2019. Unlike the process with the other bridges and major infrastructure projects, the Lagos State Government of Ambode did not keep to the timelines for these projects. It has also failed to grant citizens the courtesy of an explanation. Lagosians are left to guess and conjecture.
Until Monday, December 24. Speaking at the Christmas Eve parties of the Island Club and the Yoruba Tennis Club, Ambode made an oblique reference and commitment. He assured that Lagos would dedicate its Year 2019 budget “towards the completion of ongoing infrastructural projects, the creation of more jobs, supporting businesses to thrive, as well as strengthening the security architecture of the State,” according to the Lagos State official website.
We submit that the Governor and the Lagos State Government need to do more by way of explanation to citizens. They carefully planned these projects, budgeted and a project schedule laid out. If they failed to meet the agreed schedules, someone should be offering cogent explanations. It is safe to assume that the Lagos State Government made adequate provisions for completion of the projects, the reason it boldly advertised a delivery date of December 2018 for them. Are they now part of the projects for which completion the Year 2019 project is implicated? Why? How?
Above all, BusinessDay reminds of the need to get back quickly on ensuring delivery of these projects. They are critical and desirable infrastructure for the needs of Lagosians. Deliver on them, please.
By our Reporter
