Lagos Government Plans Dedicated Routes For Articulated Vehicles

Dedicated routes will soon be provided for articulated vehicle and trucks plying Lagos roads with a view to reducing the incidence of accidents attributed to such vehicles on Lagos road.

Disclosing this at a media session, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ajibade Bade-Adebowale said efforts were on to find lasting solution by way of relocation of tank farms to the eastern axis of the State, among others. According to him, the routes would avoid bridges as the bad state of some of the vehicles presented a challenge when trying to reach their destination using the bridges. The permanent secretary did not disclose which routes would be dedicated to articulated vehicles.

While also stating that over 200 roads have been maintained by the State’s Public Works Corporation, he said efforts are on to ensure that the 167 roads inherited by the Ambode Administration were delivered for the betterment of Lagosians. He listed some of the roads to include Ipaja –Ayobo, Ago Palace Way, Isolo road and Lagos Badagry Expressway.

Bade–Adebowale also noted that a new era of partnership was being explored with the Federal Government agencies that would ensure Federal roads in the State were fixed quickly.

The Permanent Secretary, while commenting on the plans to address inner roads in the state, said the 114 roads projects advertised to be executed by LGs/ LCDAs were the first steps in enhancing the capacity of the State to deliver more roads.

He further disclosed that the construction of jetties by the Ministry, especially the Badore and Osborne jetties would soon be completed and would impact on the number of persons using water transportation. He added that people using ferries and boats should embrace the use of life jackets.

General Manager, Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Engr. Ayo Sodeinde said the agency had worked on 200 roads and had plans to address the challenge observed at Ile – Epo Bus Stop on the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway. Describing the experience of commuters on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and Apapa Oshodi Expressway as similar, the General Manager disclosed that asphalt overlay on them lacked the capacity to carry the axle load that currently ply them.

He explained that the agency’s current efforts were not limited to state roads only, saying that apart from Ile-Epo bus stop, the corporation was also working on Herbert Macaulay (around YABATECH), Volkswagen Ojo and parts of Lagos Badagry. He promised that the current effort around Metal Box and ACME roads would soon be completed. Also the General Manager said the era of deliberately damaging roads to either create traffic for stealing or begging or outright robbery was over.