It’s Hell On Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Lagos Lawmakers Cry Out

Members of the Lagos state House of Assembly have lamented the harrowing experiences of commuters who ply the Lagos-Badagry Expressway daily with some describing it as hell.

Their lamentation was sequel to a motion moved by a member representing Ojo Constituency 1, Muyibat Rufai-Adeyemi, who called the attention of her colleagues to the untold hardship experienced by commuters and residents of the area owing to the delay in the completion of the road which is being expanded into a 10-lane dual carriage way by the state government.

She called on her colleagues to join her in calling on the state government to ensure a speedy completion of the project.

Specifically, she noted the persistent traffic-jam being experienced by both commuters and motorists along the highway particularly at Volks/Barracks, Iyana-Iba and Okoko Bus Stops; thereby resulting in untold hardship, loss of valuable time, loss of lives and properties and dwindling economic activities.

She expressed worry at the rate at which miscreants and armed robbers are taking advantage of the situation along the axis to dispossess commuters, drivers and residents of their personal belongings.

Contributing to the call, a lawmaker, Sultan Adeniji-Adele, said the expressway which also leads to his constituency has been hijacked by military men.

“Most of the time, they drive against traffic on the road with the belief that no one can stop them,” he said.

According to the Deputy Speaker, Taiwo Kolawole, “most of the problems on that road are caused by people. At Iba Bus Stop, those traders are not making use of the model market, but they instead come to the main road to display and sell their wares.

“Many of the bus drivers don’t make use of the parks and LASTMA officials are also becoming another threat, because they now collect money like common traffic wardens.”

The House then called on all law enforcement agents in the state including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Traffic Division of the Nigerian Police, Badagry Division to urgently resolve the traffic crisis along the expressway.

—Eromosele Ebhomele