Memo to Tinubu on Lagos-Badagry Highway, By Patrick Emerhana

Memo to Tinubu on Lagos-Badagry Highway, By Patrick Emerhana

POLITICS DIGEST – Your Excellency,

For almost ten (10) years, the Lagos State Government has, in its wisdom, attempted to enlarge and upgrade the Lagos-Badagry Highway, without success. This project, we have been told, is in phases, which is in consonance with international best practice when resources are scarce as financial demands in society have to be spread evenly as thinly as possible.

But, it appears there is a curse on the lagos-badagry highway project which I appeal to the Jagaban, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to break. This is important to alleviate the sufferings of our people in Lagos and neighbouring countries with whom we do business.

As a young Personnel Officer of Volkswagen of Nigeria living in Ebute Metta in 1976, it took me approximately 10 minutes from Mile 2 to Volks driving comfortably. I was told that it takes about 3 hours now for the same journey in the dilapidated bumpy road. During the rainy season, it takes several hours more. This is shameful and unfortunate.

I know that Your Excellency may not have been kept abreast of this sad tale, otherwise something positive would have since been done. Our people are suffering seriously on this strategic highway.

Our houses and properties on the phase covering the Ojo to Okokomaiko portion were demolished at the twilight of the Fashola Administration in May 2015. Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode promised to pay compensation for the properties demolished but our people were deceived. This gave the impression that the Government has no conscience! I know you have conscience and I appeal that as National Leader of our Party, you help us correct the insensitivity of the State Government, as it will affect the fortunes of the APC in subsequent elections, no matter what anybody may do except something positive is done.

It is noted that a proud son of Lagos, former Governor Babatunde Fashola who you groomed, is doing so well as Minister of Works and Housing building roads and bridges across Nigeria now. I appeal to our National Leader to convince Mr President to approve that the Minister give needed attention and build the Lagos-Badagry Highway as a matter of urgency.

Users of the Lagos-Badagry Highway deserve a better life in 2020. Their suffering is colossal. I know the Jagaban wouldn’t have allowed our people to be subjected to this hard life if you were briefed of its present situation.

In the meantime, I urge you to kindly ask Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to among other things: pay genuine compensation to the landlords who have been denied their livelihood for the past five years, and commence work on the Road as promised when LASU students protested about the bad road not too long ago.

Why should Sanwo-Olu do it? Because the Federal Government usually refunds state governments for constructing federal roads.

Thanks indeed, Your Excellency, for listening to public opinion and promoting the image of the APC by such positive action.

Be rest assured, Your Excellency, of my warm regards and high esteem.

Elder Patrick Emerhana writes from Lagos state