Lagos Assembly Queries Works Commissioner, Contractors on Neglected Roads

The state government has been urged by the Lagos State House of Assembly to take immediate action to alleviate people’ suffering due to certain roadways.
The MPs reportedly made the call during a meeting that Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda presided over.
The lawmakers specifically brought up the defunct Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road in the Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Igbogbo-Baiyeku.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was urged by the House to order the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to make sure that HITECH Construction Company gets back to work on the project.

Additionally, they insisted that all pertinent organizations create a detailed strategy for finishing the project while guaranteeing sufficient security for the impacted community’s inhabitants.

In order to ensure that projects are completed on time, the House required in its resolution that contractors receive 60 to 70 percent of the total cost up front.

Additionally, Speaker Meranda gave each MP instructions to gather names of roads that have been abandoned in their districts and submit them to the relevant ministry for prompt action.

Following a “matter of urgent public importance” brought forth by Aro Moshood, who bemoaned the hardships that the abandoned road was causing to the people of Ikorodu, the resolution was passed.

Since 2017, this road has been in a terrible condition. What was supposed to help the people has now turned into a cause of anxiety, presenting significant socioeconomic and security issues, according to Moshood.

The member emphasized the concerning number of crimes, like as sexual assaults, accidents, and kidnappings, that are connected to the area’s bad road conditions.

Abiodun Ogunleye, who participated in the discussion, emphasized the road’s strategic significance and added that its completion would greatly increase local economic activity.

Lukmon Olumoh, who pointed out that the House had authorized funding for the project the year before, expressed his disapproval of the protracted delay in the road’s completion.

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The fact that a road development project has been shelved for more than seven years is disheartening. Last year, I served on a commission that examined ongoing road projects throughout the state, and one of the main issues raised by contractors was the volatile exchange rate.

“The contractor in charge of the project should be invited by this House to clarify whether they received the funds approved by this Assembly,” Olumoh stated.

Sanni Okanlawon, the House’s Deputy Chief Whip, urged the administration to act swiftly. Additionally, he urged contractors and the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure to provide an explanation for the project’s ongoing status.

“We shouldn’t take the problem of abandoned road projects lightly. He urged the House to call on the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure and the contractors to provide an explanation for the halt in these projects.

Tobun Abiodun suggested passing legislation requiring all administrations to finish projects started by their predecessors in order to avoid unfinished projects.

Adedamola Kasunmu, the deputy majority leader, emphasized in his remarks that the problem went beyond Ikorodu.

“Ikorodu is not the only issue here. All around the state, it is taking place. To get answers for these deserted highways, we must call in all pertinent authorities, including the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure,” he stated.

After much discussion, the Assembly decided unanimously to call for the commissioner of works and infrastructure as well as the contractors to submit a comprehensive report on the state of the road projects that have been abandoned in Lagos State.