25th August, 2010
Efforts of the Lagos State Government at turning the notorious Oshodi motor park in Lagos, South West Nigeria, to a beautiful place and tourist attraction, has suffered a set back as some unscrupulous citizens, especially commuter vehicle drivers, have begun to return to where has been prohibited for loading and disembarking passengers.
The drivers, according to information gathered, are allegedly being aided by some transportation leaders, who are bent on sabotaging government’s efforts at sustaining the beautification project in the area.
The development, which some concerned citizens described as not only an eyesore but also constituting environmental nuisance, is also obstructing the ongoing Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) scheme as well as activities of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA)’s trucks from effective disposal of waste in the area.
Some drivers and commuters that spoke with Lagos Bulletin on the issue, condemned the action of those that want to bring indiscipline back to the area.
They therefore called on the state government to change the task force officials posted to the area, who they accused of compromise.
According to Achike Ezego, a driver, “after the demolition and beautification of this area, the state government directed all motor park leaders to confine their vehicle to the park and all the drivers complied, but some of them who are being aided by their leaders, have refused to comply and still load passengers along the road,†adding that evean officials of LASTMA, task force and KAI could not help the situation.
Apart from the illegal parks created by some drivers, Lagos Bulletin also observed that the fence that demarcated the area, barring pedestrians from crossing the highway and rail line, has allegedly been demolished by the drivers so that passengers could be picked directly instead of using the pedestrian bridge, a development that calls for government’s urgent attention.
—Paul Iyoghojie