By Charles Kumolu

FOLLOWING the public outcry that has greeted the collapse of most roads in Kirikiri area, the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, (LSPWC), has called on owners of industries and other stakeholders in the area to assist the state in finding a lasting solution to the failed road as that remains the only basis of a lasting rehabilitation.

The Agency faulted the absence of a drainage system on the service lane of the Berger section of the Apapa/Oshodi Expressway, saying it is responsible for the recurring failure of the road.

The Corporation stated that but for the rains, it had concluded plans to carry out some palliative work on the failed service lane at Berger.

LSPWC’s Head of Project Engr.Ganiyu Aiye who disclosed this to Vanguard Homes & Property notede that Kirikiri was not originally an industrial zone. According to him, the emergence of industries contributed to the huge infra structural collapse in the hitherto residential neighbourhood.

“The area was designed to be a residential area but is now an industrial zone. In the face of what is happening now, what is needed is a complete redesigning of the roads. There was a time the state government tried to partner the industries in rehabilitate the roads but the expected result was not achieved. The office of Infrastructural development is directly in charge of that road; we can only come in when there is urgent need on the road but the ministry wants to come in because the road requires total redesigning.”

“ What we are saying is for the industries to collaborate with the government because they are responsible for the state of the road. For instance, the Cocoa industry road in Ikeja is being rehabilitated by some industries in that area because they are the ones making use of the road,” Engr Aiye said.

He however restated the agency’s commitment to maintain all roads in the state, adding that work would soon commence on the collapsed Berger portion of the road.

“If not for the rains, you would have seen us there working to make sure that the place is motorable. The problem of that portion is drainage. I can assure you that by next week we would resume work there, doing some palliatives. The road is the responsibility of the federal government so I don’t know why it was left to decay to that extent,” Aiye added.