By Olasunkanmi Akoni
Residents and motorists along Lagos Abeokuta expressway may now heave sigh of relief as Lagos State Government through its agent, Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) has concluded maintenance work on the collapsed section of Alimosho road by Iyana Dopemu Bus-Stop.

However, motorists, while reacting to the completion of the road, urged Federal Road Maintenance Authority (FERMA) or relevant authorities in the state to fix myriads of pot holes on the other side of Lagos-Abeokuta road as the road is lined up with deadly potholes described as “death traps”.

It will be recalled that for over four five months, there had been traffic gridlock in which motorists spent at least two hours to get through the axis due to the collapsed section along the road.

The fixed section is an opened median created as an alternative route to those going into Alimosho area following the closure of Dopemu Link Bridge which was just rehabilitated.

However, as a result of public demand, government decided to leave the opened median for use by motorists but due to high volume of vehicles making use of the road, the section became degraded causing terrible traffic.

The maintenance work which began on the night of Tuesday 14th October 2014 and ended on Friday 17th October, 2014, was carried out using a 24-hour approach in order to hasten its completion.

Executive Chairman LSPWC, Mr. Gbenga Akintola, in his reaction explained that “Prior to the intervention of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, the road had become almost totally un-motorable due to perpetual retention of water on that axis which is responsible for the damage.

“In the light of this, the use of interlocking paving stones was employed instead of Asphalt premix which might be washed away in due course owing to the ineffectiveness of the drainage network in the area, especially along the adjourning Lagos-Abeokuta express way which is under Federal jurisdiction.

“Lagosians are however, reminded to continually observe proper use of roads by shunning various habits that lead to untimely damage of roads.”

He also urged residents to take ownership of the state roads, guarding them as their heritage and protecting them from getting damaged.

Akintola stressed that residents should consider the job of road maintenance a joint effort between themselves and the state government.

According to him, people have the right to challenge any member of the public engaging in the act of illegal digging or causing damage to the road and report offenders to the police or relevant authorities.

Akintola stated that tax payers’ money that could have been diverted to cater for other pressing needs of residents is used to repair damaged roads caused by human error, adding that dumping of refuse in drains, burning of tyre on road and cooking on road leads to further deterioration of roads.

He said further that the damage on some Lagos roads as a result of the heavy down pour of July 10 is a far cry of what took place in China, Pakistan and some other parts of the world “the citizens of those countries did not blame their Government but rather looked for ways they could assist their Government in combating the problems, this should be emulated by Lagosians.”

Commenting on the deplorable state of roads under Local Government jurisdiction, Akintola credited this to lack of funds available to maintain those roads but promised that the agency would partner with local government authorities to provide palliative measures for road users.

Akintola explained that the corporation in its determination to reduce to the barest minimum  inconveniences experienced by road users during maintenance work, has  scheduled maintenance work on some major roads to take place at night and during the weekend when vehicular activities is presumed to be less.

He added that new equipment had been purchased to take the quality of work to world class level. They include:  Sixteen brand new Hand Rollers, Eleven Asphalt Cutting Machine, Seven Tractors, Sixteen pick-up vans and One Low Loader.

Others include; Two Pavers, Five Flood Lights, Two Grader, One Cold Miller, One Asphalt Plant, Two Pneumatic Rollers, Ten Rollers and Four Compactors. One Pneumatic Roller and Four Plate Compactor is expected before the end of October.

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