By Kingsley Adegboye

Apparently not deterred by the heavy rains, the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) said last week that it is working hard to meet its target of making Lagos roads potholes-free by next year.

The Corporation said it will achieve this target by completing roads rehabilitation simultaneously going on in Eti-Osa, Mainland and Suru-Lere Local Government Areas.

Executive Chairman, LSPWC, Mr. Gbenga Akintola told newsmen during a tour of the project sites that the exercise is being carried out to ensure that the deplorable roads in the area are fixed without delay.

“Over 400 roads have been repaired within nine months and more roads rehabilitation works are on- going in all parts of the state,” he said.

Mr Akintola said LSPWC has adopted three new rehabilitation approaches. They include the use of paving stones as demonstrated in Oba Adeyinka Oyekan Avenue in Eti-Osa, lean concrete mix and crushed stones.

According to him, these methods are used depending on the nature of the soil, topography and other environmental peculiarities of the portions under repair.

On the responsibility of members of the public in sustaining road infrastructure, the chairman called for a change in the habits and practices of Lagos residents. Such practice include indiscriminate cutting of roads, burning of tyres, dumping of refuse in drains and pouring petroleum products on the roads.

Deploring the activities of companies and organizations who damage the work of the agency by constructing illegal drainage channels, thereby making water flow back on the rehabilitated roads, the chairman asked that all Lagosian to support the agency by challenging and reporting anyone found engaging in any of the habits that can reduce the life span of Lagos roads.

Apparently referring to the nightmares Lagosians are forced to go through on Lagos roads on a daily basis, Mr. Akintola sued for patience as LSPWC men would soon be in their neighbourhoods to fix bad portions of their roads.

Head of Project at LSPWC, Engr. Ganiyu Aiyepe said “the challenges we face in Eti-Osa and Lagos Island is water, but with the present approach and strategies employed by the agency, water is no longer a problem”.

He added that “over 10 roads have been repaired in Victoria Island and more are still under rehabilitation”.