There are rapidly growing concerns over the numerous activities of roadside traders, squatters and other illegal occupants along the reconstructed Lagos-Badagry expressway corridor.
It has been observed that these occupants who are illegal have taken over the entire stretch of the roadside from the Mile2 axis stretching down to Festac First gate and down to Iyana Oba.
The Problem
This occupancy has been a major cause of the drainage blockage, destruction of still-being-constructed road infrastructure etc.
Festaconline Media took a trip on that axis, it can be seen how many people, squatters and traders have built makeshift houses and shades under the bridge, taking over the road which can cause damage to the newly built bridge.
Numerous trading activities can be seen daily even on the bridge, and pedestrian walkways and many have blocked the channel to the drainage. These road axes have been severely abused by people dumping waste materials in the middle of road alignments and by the roadside, even walkways and median barriers have been removed in order to suit their needs and gains.
While others are hawking and storing items by the roadside; erection of shanties in the middle of road alignment, and on pedestrian bridges; roadside parking, and removal of paving stones on the road, among others.
Consequently, some parts of the recently constructed sections of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor have suffered abuse by users at various points, leading to severe degradation.
Scavengers have also been a major cause of worry as they have removed components of the infrastructure, like manhole covers and railings, to sell.
Traders Comment
Guardian spoke to a roadside trader at Alakija, who gave his name as Collins Erin. He said he only displayed his clothing materials on the road because of the high traffic at the bus stop. He claimed that some local council agents collect money daily from them as levies.
“ To occupy this place, I pay an average of N200 daily. I don’t have the finance to rent a shop in a good location, and the road provides a good alternative for me,” he said.
Also, a food vendor under the bridge at Oluti Bus Stop, Iya Bukky, said she started selling food in March, this year when she lost her job. According to her, the human traffic on the road made it profitable for many hustlers like her to survive, especially with the present economic situation.
She also confirmed that she pays a minimum of N300 daily to be allowed to operate. She pleaded for government assistance for struggling residents to survive, rather than clamping down on them.
Government Reacts
Olufemi Daramola, Permanent Secretary, Office of Infrastructure, in the state’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, said the government has unveiled sustainability plans to address the tremendous abuse noticed at various points along the corridor, leading to severe degradation.
One of such plans, he said, was to embark on a sensitisation and advocacy campaign, aimed at promoting the required attitudinal change as well as encouraging residents and commuters to take ownership of the project.
The Permanent Secretary said during a recent sensitisation programme, residents were informed of the government’s determination to ensure that they enjoy the basic amenities by providing good roads and bridges, proper drainage channels, pedestrian setbacks and walkways, railings and man-hole covers, among others in the state.
He said: “It is, however, unfortunate that some parts of the recently constructed sections of the Lagos Badagry Expressway corridor have suffered tremendous abuse by users at various points, leading to severe degradation.
“Scavengers have removed components of the infrastructure that would be of benefit to us and the next generations. Incidentally, these infrastructure were provided using taxpayer’s money.”
While commending the efforts of the present administration on road construction, he said the state government would no longer tolerate or condone driving against traffic, parking on the expressway or stopping at undesignated areas along the corridor to ensure free traffic flow on the corridor.
The Permanent Secretary advised those trading on road medians/setbacks and under the bridges to vacate, as these restrictions are to be enforced to sustain the newly constructed road. He also advised them not to be caught on the wrong side of the law.
“We asked for so much but destroyed the ones we were given with our hands. The time has come to fight for the beauty of Lagos that we once knew,” he added.
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