Enemy of Progress FG may stop expansion of Badagry Expressway

Emeka Ezekiel


There are strong indications that the Federal Government may stop the Lagos State Government from going ahead with its plan to expand the Lagos Badagry Expressway to a 10-way carriage road network.

[img]http://odili.net/news/source/2010/feb/3/punch/images/pix200812233113821[1].jpg[/img]
Minister of Works and Housing, Dr. Hassan Lawal



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Governor Raji Fashola (SAN) has concluded plans to expand the 48- year -old expressway from the current four lanes with provisions for light rail and Bus Rapid Transit System.

But the Federal Government, is currently planning to concession the road to private sector operator under an Public Private Sector Partnership scheme.

It was reliably gathered that the Federal Government's action was based on the belief that the Lagos Badagry Expressway is a federal road and has declared illegal, the action of Lagos State Government to carry out expansion work on the road

The Minister of Works , Housing and Urban Development, Dr.Hassan Lawan, who confirmed this development, said, "I have had reasons to tell the Lagos State Government that the Lagos -Badagry- Seme Border does not belong to Lagos State . It is a federal road.

"Indeed, it is not only a federal road but an international road. No state government can lay claim to any international road. That road leads to not less than five West African countries. So, that is a federal road

"If Lagos State is ready , let them come out and apply like every other contractor and we will look at it on merit. Whatever work they are doing on that road is illegal because it is not their road.

"We have said this time without number and please be rest assured that we are on top of the issue as far as that road is concerned because it the gateway to ECOWAS countries. So I don't see how that road can become Lagos state's road"

But the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Francisco Abosede, told our correspondent on Monday, that the Federal Government was aware of the plan by the Lagos State Government to expand the road.

According to Abosede ,"I do not believe that the Minister of Works ,Housing and Urban Development will say that because he is fully aware of the development of the road and the rail project on it.

"Mr. President did set up a Committee of Ministers of the Federal Government and Commissioners of Lagos State headed by the Secretary to the Federal Government and Lagos State Attorney-General to work together on conflict resolutions which has been successful."

The proposed expansion of the 10-lane Lagos/Badagry Expressway by the Lagos State Government has been broken into three lots. The first lot, which is about 7.5 kilometres, stretches from Eric Moore to Mile 2; while the second lot measuring 24 kilometres stretches from Mile2 to Agabara. However, the third lot stretches from Agbara to Badagry. The project, estimated at N220bn, is expected to be executed under a World Bank -assisted programme.

http://odili.net/news/source/2010/feb/3/839.html

Are these "oloriburukus" in the presidency just waking up from slumber.lagos state has enough bad federal roads that need attention.why is lawal so particular about the one that has already be contracted for repair.?

The FG already granted LASG's application to upgrade the road.This was done in the 1st month of this administration.
So you cant abort pregnancy thats already been delivered.
The project is already in its 2nd phase which is the constuction of the 27.5km road and just today the CCECC handling the light railproject on the road will start its work.
The FG can go suck it, Cabinet full of no do-gooders,

Has the FG just woken up from their slumbers, these project has been making the airwaves for quiet a long time now and why it is now that work has commenced that they are planning to halt it.

MAY THUNDER STRICK ALL THESE BAD BELLE PEOPLE.

Why cant LAGOS simply build their own road to Badagry?

otawa:

Why cant LAGOS simply build their own road to Badagry?

The only alternative is to build the much-touted 4th mainland bridge that will lead Victoria Island,Ajah,Epe,ikorodu with Badagry.
The cost is mind-boggling.

The FG cant do nothing about this current project.They are just jealous.

Fair enough it is a federal road but was the ministry not aware of this before lagos state decided to expand it.

I would sure hope the Federal ministry does not stop the Work, as we are very much aware this will mean we can expect nothing to be done on the expressway in the next 10 years if not even longer.

The ministry should cease the opportunity to concetrate on all its other project it has failed to finish over the years instead of fighting for work it very well knows it can not do anytime soon. ie lagos- ibadan, Benin- Ore, Ota by pass just to mention a few in the west.

Thanks Ministry of Works but keep your money in the treasury, i believe lagos state has this one under there control.
Anyway everbody is aware that the whole move is Money Motivated.