By Daniel Idonor
ABUJA— THE Federal Government, through its Works Minister, Alhaji Hassan Adamu Lawal, yesterday reacted to the deplorable state of federal roads in the country, in particular the Apapa-Oshodi expressway in Lagos, saying “we have to be careful.”
It was not clear who should be careful — the government, Nigerians who suffer daily, or the media who report the suffering of Nigerians — as the minister refused to talk to State House correspondents on the matter beyond a terse sentence: “I have discussed the matter with my boss (President), we have to be careful”.
Gridlock along Apapa-Oshodi Express road Lagos yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez
Lawal who was sighted with a file containing yesterday’s edition of Vanguard newspaper before the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) began, refused to talk to State House Correspondents when approached on the grounds that he had no time; but requested that the reporters should see him later.
This he did twice until the FEC meeting ended. And when he eventually emerged from the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, venue of the FEC meeting , the minister who was not apparently ready to field questions from journalists said “I have discussed with my boss, we have to be careful”, a statement that did not make any meaning to reporters.
Asked to explain what he meant by “we have to be careful”, the minister failed to utter a word, as he walked out on the reporters.
Vanguard’s investigations however revealed that President Yar’Adua, following the various media reports on the poor state of federal roads in Lagos State, had repeatedly drawn the attention of the minister to the issue, asking that he comes up with a workable solution towards addressing the issue as it has become a major source of negative publicity to the government.
Standstill at Mile-2 toTincan, along Oshodi-Apapa expressway as a result of deep portholes occasioned by bad drainage system. Photo by Bunmi Azeez.
It was gathered that the Hassan Lawal, who has served as minister for five years, including three years under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, as Labour minister, and two years in the present government, could not come up with any solution.
Vanguard had reported that the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, owned by the Federal Government, has for many years been neglected resulting in its present state of decay.
Vanguard in the report said “one of the city’s main arteries, the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway which connects the Murtala Muhammed International Airport with two of the nation’s busiest seaports — Apapa Quays and Tin Can Island Port has failed at several locations.
“The worst points are on Tin Can Island itself, at Ibafon (Coconut Bus-stop to Sunrise), at Berger, and at the turn-off to Lagos-Badagry Expressway at Mile II, where motorists paddle their vehicles through flood.
“Other failed sections are at Rainbow Bus Stop, stretching forth towards Sanya for several hundred metres. This spot has particularly worsened the agonies of motorists in the last few days, with traffic backing up for many kilometres and throughout the day.
“It is also the scene of ghastly crashes as unsuspecting motorists speed into the craters at night. The other major failed section is at Itire (Berliet Bus Stop).”
To be frank, Nigeria as a country doesnt pratice Federalism as we claim, Nigeria is praticing Co-Federalism. Normally, ina Federal System of Government, the Central is supposed to be strong and effective, while the Units(States) are weak, and they depend on the Federal. While in the Co-federal system, the Central(Federal) is weak, while the Units(States) are strong. Because we all can see, that the Central which is supposed to be strong in a Federal System of Government is abviously very weak, and the units are strong. So why are we deceiving ourselves?
The problems that Nigeria is engulfed in today, didnt just come up now. It started decades ago, precisely in 1914, when Nigeria was amalgamated (Bringing Together of the Nothern & the Southern Nigeria, Southern Nigeria was divided into the colony of Nigeria including Lagos & Ebute Metta Town with a narrow strip from Dahomey Border to some 70 Miles, east of Lagos as by Order In Council. Sir F. Lurgard was apointed Governor- General.) With Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, P.C., GCFR who had a (Masters’ degree in Political Science and Anthropology from Lincoln and Pennsylvania Universities), and on the Other side we had Cheif. Obafemi Awolowo, leader of the banned Action Group and leader of the Yorubas of western Nigeria, and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1944,He was CO-founder of the Trade Union Congress Of Nigeria in 1943. The following year, he went to London to study law and founded the Egbe Omo Oduduwa, a Yoruba tribal society. After qualifying in 1947, he returned to Nigeria to set up legal practice and continued to work for the Egbe Omo Oduduwa. This two Heroes of our Motherland, made a terrible mistake the day they both signed the Amalgamation Document between the Norther Province & Southern Province, by given above 70% Nigeria’s Economy Benefit to the Notherners, while the rest Region was left to benefit from the other 30%. That was a FRAUD. So therefore we the SOUTHERNERS (Niger-Deltans) were Defrauded.
Funny enough, “we have to be careful” the minister is terribly CONFUSED. He’s concerned more about his salary & allowances, seminars, overseas trips, night meetings with wines and special dishes; perhaps with a SAMAPE to match & fat accounts home and abroad. Well, this our own country. Let’s pray and hope God Interven soon enough, or else Nigeria will be DOOMED.
Tell Yar’dua. I said So. Human Right Artivist for the. Member of the Movement of The Emancipation Of the Niger Delta. (MEND).